HIROSHIGE Woodblock X Photo along the Fifty-three Stations on the Tōkaidō

2026.05.15(Fri) - 2026.07.07(Tue)

Overview

Utagawa Hiroshige’s Fifty-three Stations on the Tōkaidō, the version published by the Hoeidō, takes the viewers on a journey from Nihonbashi in Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto, depicting the views along the route against varying backgrounds in terms of the seasons, weather conditions, time of day, and other natural phenomena. This series of woodblock prints had a resounding success in the early 19th century, backed by the then growing enthusiasm for traveling.
The entire series of 55 prints are presented in the exhibition, some of it is contrasted against photographic images of the same locations, offering an added vantage point to appreciate the journey through the Tōkaidō highway.
People rushing to find a shelter under the sudden downpour in SHŌNO: DOWNPOUR, a total silence and stillness of a snow-covered landscape in KANBARA: SNOWY NIGHT… The images that sparked the imagination for traveling among the public never cease to fascinate people even today.

YUI: SATTA PEAK

A view in Yui today

Summary

1. A complete set on display
Embark on a journey from the Nihonbashi bridge in Edo to the heart of Kyoto. This exhibition showcases the complete set of 55 prints, capturing every post station along the historic Tōkaidō highway. You will find Hiroshige’s ingenious expressions in different settings, be it time of day, weather conditions, seasons, or other elements.

2. Immersive viewing
High-resolution digital representation, 150M pixel to be precise, of the artworks are projected on a giant screen, taking the visitors inside the depicted scenes.

3. Trace Hiroshige’s journey in photographs
The Museum’s digital content production team revisited the locations in the Edo-period portrayal. Enjoy the museum’s original take on the Tōkaidō highway, encompassing the deep bosom of nature and urban built environment.

NIHONBASHI: MORNING SCENE

The Nihonbashi bridge today

HIRATSUKA: NAWATE ROAD

A view in Hiratsuka today

HAKONE: VIEW OF THE LAKE

A view in Hakone today

MISHIMA: MORNING MIST

A view in Mishima today

KYOTO: GRAND BRIDGE OF SANJŌ

A view in Kyoto today

The Hoeidō edition of the Fifty-three Stations on the Tōkaidō

This is a set of 55 large-size woodblock prints, published in c. 1833. It was initially a joint publication between two printing companies, the Hoeidō (owned by Takenouchi Magohachi) and the Senkakudō (owned by Tsuruya Kiemon), but subsequently the former took over the printing rights. The series is based on a theme of the post stations along the major highway Tōkaidō, that connected the shogunate capital of the east Edo and the Imperial capital Kyoto. Hiroshige vibrantly illustrates the customs, specialties, and other features representative of each location with his creative arrangements in terms of seasons, weather conditions, etc. These images fascinated townspeople of Edo to ignite their desire for traveling. His attention to details extended even to the countenance and demeanor of the people he drew. The success of the Hoeidō edition brought Hiroshige the fame as a leading figure in landscape woodcut ukiyo-e. It was followed by two more versions of the Tōkaidō series and more than 20 designs in relation to the highway.

Utagawa Hiroshige

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), birth name Andō Tokutaro, was born in Edo as a son of the shogunate’s official fire brigade officer. He lost his parents young and joined the brigade in his father’s stead, but two years later, he stepped into the world of ukiyo-e at age 15, as he sought apprenticeship under ukiyo-e master Utagawa Toyohiro (1774–1830). He started out specializing in bijinga portraits, but subsequently he discovered his passion for landscapes as he published Famous Places of the Eastern Capital in c. 1831, a series that depicted some landmarks of Edo in vibrant colors. The following opus, the Fifty-three Stations on the Tōkaidō, made him a famous painter. His poetic compositions were marveled by many people, and he remained prolific throughout his career, subsequently producing One Hundred Famous Views of Edo and other famous works.

Highlights

NIHONBASHI: MORNING SCENE

KANBARA: SNOWY NIGHT

SHŌNO: DOWNPOUR

HAKONE: VIEW OF THE LAKE

MISHIMA: MORNING MIST

KAMEYAMA: CLEAR WEATHER AFTER SNOW