Fujisawa-shuku, the 6th station of Tokaido

It is near noon.  Sun shining down on me, my knapsack with 10kg of belongings hanging heavily from my shoulders.  By then, my head was completely blank - the first time in several weeks that "work" completely left my head.

After walking 7km from Totsuka, I finally reached Fujisawa-shuku, the next station.

Again the mark for "Honjin" (main lodging where only high ranking people can stay) - this one being the Makita Honjin.

Needing to rest every 200m, I decided to have my lunch in this town and rest.
I had unagi at a restaurant called "Unagiya" - don't ask me what it is, because you won't like it. (Eel!)  But it was delicious.

After lunch, I left Fujisawa and started on another long walk of 13.7km.

400 years ago, men were said to have travelled 40km in one day.  Women, 20km.  So, having very good shoes, I figured I would walk 30km a day - so on this first day, I had layed out a plan to walk 21.5km.  An easy walk, right?

WRONG!

We modern human beings are not used to walking long distances.  Therefore, it was a huge mistake to have thought I can walk more than people in the past did.

In reality, a pace of 15km a day would be a good pace.  So, feeling blisters forming under my toes, I dragged myself to walk through a bed town, and then onto a huge highway (cars speeding past), across rivers...and when I could not walk a step further, I found the modern day version of "Ichirizuka" or 4km mark - McDonald's!

After resting in a well air conditioned place, all refreshed, I once again started walking towards the next station "Hiratsuka."

Walked past the old "Ichirizuka."  (4km sign)

Walked past several shrines, and past an old pillar which used to support the bridge that crossed the river.  How could this pillar have survived 400 years?  It is magic!

Walked, walked, walked and reached Hiratsuka!
This is my lodging for tonight.  The same town people lodged 400 years ago.

Having completed my 21.5km walk, carrying a load of 10km - I was left with a sore back, blank head, and 4 blisters on my toes.  Not bad for day 1.