Welcome to Hashimoto
The city of Hashimoto was founded in 1587 by Ogo Shonin (1536–1608), an enterprising priest from Koyasan. It takes its name from the 235-meter bridge (hashi) that crosses the Kinokawa River.
Besides being the starting point for several of the pilgrimage routes up to Koyasan, Hashimoto was also a stop on the Ise (Yamato) Kaido, a major trade route that connected Nara and the Osaka area, and the Kinokawa River, a busy thoroughfare for water-bound traffic.
It was not only a crucial junction for trade, but an essential port of call for pilgrims and the porters who carried goods up to the Koyasan Buddhist complex in the mountains. Visitors can still admire one of the traditional inns where pilgrims used to stay, located right outside of Koyaguchi Station.
Thanks to the constant influx of merchants and visitors, the area flourished for centuries, and its historic prosperity is still visible in the many temples, shrines, and proud traditions that visitors can appreciate today.