Art World
Japan’s Ohashiya Inn, Which Inspired Hiroshige Ando, To Close Down
Zoe Li
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A centuries-old Japanese inn that has been the inspiration behind celebrated Ukiyo-e art is set to close down by March 15.
The Ohashiya Inn is known for being featured in one of Hiroshige Ando’s famed Ukiyo-e woodcut prints, created between 1833 and 1836. It was an important stop during the Edo period when Akasaka, where it is located, was one of the towns along the old Tokaido road, which connected modern-day Tokyo with Kyoto.
Among the many guests that have stayed there during the inn’s 360-year history are haiku poet Matsuo Bashō and ukiyo-e artist Ando himself.
“We are the only hatago (Edo period lodging) that is still in business in one of the towns along the old Tokaido road. We hoped that guests could enjoy the atmosphere of the Edo Period,” Kazuhiro Aoki told the Asahi Shimbun.
Seventy-five-year-old Aoki is the 19th-generation owner of the Ohashiya inn. Him and his wife, Noriko, have decided to end the operation because of health issues. Although the inn has room for up to 100 people, the Aokis have had to limit their capacity to about three guests per day. They are currently fully booked until their final closing date.
