
Along the historic Koshu Kaido highway and its surrounding areas, you can still find several Joyato, which are traditional Japanese stone lanterns. In the past, local residents shared a beautiful custom: every night, they would take turns walking to these lanterns to light a candle inside. This fire served a dual purpose—not only did it illuminate the dark roads for travelers, but it was also deeply believed that the sacred flame would bring divine protection to the community.

