were post stations during the
Edo period in
Japan, generally located on one of the
Edo Five Routes or one of its sub-routes. They were also called
shukueki (宿駅). These post stations (or "post towns") were places where travelers could rest on their journey around the nation. They were created based on policies for the transportation of goods by horseback that were developed during the
Nara and
Heian periods.