Tōkaidō
/toː.ka.i.doː/noun
A historic route and region along Japan’s eastern seacoast, especially the road linking Edo and Kyoto.
Did you know?The Tōkaidō was one of Japan’s ancient Gokishichidō—five central provinces and seven major routes established as part of an imperial administrative system in the seventh century.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Sino-Japanese
東海道
“A compound meaning “eastern sea road”; the characters were adopted from the Chinese writing system.”
7th Century
Old Japanese
Tōkaidō
“One of Japan’s Gokishichidō, the imperial system of provinces and major routes extending eastward along the Pacific coast.”
8th Century
Japanese
東海道
“An official administrative region and road connecting central Japan with eastern coastal provinces.”
17th Century
Japanese
Tōkaidō
“The major highway between Edo and Kyoto under the Tokugawa shogunate, traveled by officials, pilgrims, merchants, and travelers.”
19th Century
English
Tokaido
“An English rendering of the historic Japanese route and region.”
Modern English
English
Tōkaidō
“A historical name still used for the route, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen railway, and cultural works associated with eastern Japan.”