The cedars that line Tokaido Road were clearly intended to offer shade to the travellers walking along it, who would have included the shoguns. The newly promoted had to take this road to get to the capital of Kyoto to be officially inaugurated at the imperial court. A stretch of around 2km is all that remains of this cedar-lined road. En route, you can sample an ama-sake at the Amazake-chaya, a rustic tea house where the samurai used to stop for a rest.