Travel Scenes Prints (502)
Travel scenes document journeys along Japan's historic roads, sea routes, and pilgrimage paths, forming one of the woodblock print tradition's most commercially successful and artistically significant genres. The meisho-e (famous places) format, which presented sequential views of notable sites along a route, generated some of ukiyo-e's greatest masterworks and established templates that artists followed for generations. Hiroshige's "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" (1833-34), depicting the post stations along the great road connecting Edo and Kyoto, became the bestselling print series of the Edo period and defined the travel-scene genre. Its success spawned dozens of road series by Hiroshige himself and his contemporaries, documenting the Kisokaido, Nikko road, and other major routes. These prints served dual purposes — as art objects and as practical references for travelers, capturing the character of inns, teahouses, and scenic viewpoints along each route. The travel-scene tradition continued into the modern era as artists documented Japan's expanding railway network and new tourist destinations. Shin-hanga publishers like Watanabe Shozaburo commissioned series of famous views specifically targeting the tourist market, both domestic and international, creating prints that continue to define visual expectations of Japan's most celebrated landscapes.
Artists Known for Travel Scenes
"Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido: no. 4, Kanagawa, Foreigners' Cemetery (Tokaido gojusan tsugi: Kanagawa)"
Woodblock print
Tsuchiyama, Forest Road 53, Stations of the Tokaido
Woodblock print
Road Trip
2016
8 drypoint prints from a 28-print set
The Eastern Journey of the Celebrated Poet Ariwara no Narihira
Woodblock print
Gontazaka, from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Historic Site of Urashima in Kanagawa (Kanagawa Urashima koseki), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Images of the Fifteen Ashikaga Shoguns at the Tôji-in in Kyoto (Kyôto Tôji-in, Ashikaga jûgodai mokuzô no zu), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road, aka Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Journey to the West
Woodblock print
Kyoto: The Palace Wall and the Jômeimon Gate (Kyô, Tsuiji Jômeimon), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Miho no Matsubara, from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Mirage at Kuwana (Kuwana shinkirô), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Morning of a Nô Performance (Onô haiken asaban), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Mount Akiba (Akiba-san), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Mount Hiei (Hieizan), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Nanko, from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Okazaki, from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô
Woodblock print
Okitsu, from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô
Woodblock print
Old Picture of the Rashômon Gate (Rashômon no ko zu), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho tsuzuki
Woodblock print
Snipe Marsh (Shigi tatsu sawa), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
The Day of a Nô Performance (Onô haiken hiruban), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Umesawa, from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Watching a Nô Play (Onô haiken no zu), from the series Scenes of Famous Places along the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô meisho fûkei), also known as the Processional Tôkaidô (Gyôretsu Tôkaidô), here called Tôkaidô meisho no uchi
Woodblock print
Arayu Road, Shiobara
Woodblock print
Asahi Peak Seen from Mt. Hakuba (Hakubasan yori mitaru Asahigadake), from the series Souvenirs of Travel III (Tabi miyage dai sanshû)
Woodblock print
Autumn in Koshiji, from the series Souvenirs of Travel, First Series
Woodblock print
Mihogaseki Beach in Izumo Province (Izumo Mihogaseki), from the series Souvenirs of Travel III (Tabi miyage dai sanshû)
Woodblock print
Nissaka in Rain, Nissaka on Tokaido
Woodblock print
Nissaka on the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô Nissaka), from the series Selected Views of the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô fûkei senshû)
Woodblock print
Okitsu-chô in Suruga Province (Suruga Okitsu-chô), from the series Selected Views of the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô fûkei senshû)
Woodblock print
Road to Nikko
Woodblock print
Selection of Views of the Tokaido: Kozu Town in Suruga (Tokaido fukei senshu: Suruga Okitsu-cho)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Second Series: Morning at Dotonbori in Osaka (Tabi miyage dainishu: Osaka dotonbori no asa)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Second Series: Takamatsu Castle in Sanuki (Tabi miyage dainishu: Tabi Miyage Dai Nishu: Sanuki no Takamatsujo)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Second Series: Urahama, Echigo (Tabi miyage dainishu: Echigo no Urahama)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series: Arifuku Hotsprings, Iwami (Tabi miyage dai sanshu: Iwami Arifuku Onsen)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series: Hinomisaki, Izumo (Tabi miyage dai sanshu: Izumo Hinomisaki)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series: Kamezaki in Bishu (Tabi miyage dai sanshu: Bishu Kamezaki)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series: Kinosaki, Tajima (Tabi miyage dai sanshu: Suo Kintaikyo)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series: Kozu in Osaka (blue version) (Tabi miyage dai sanshu: Osaka, Kozu)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series: Kozu, Osaka (Tabi miyage dai sanshu: Osaka Kozu)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series: Matsue in Izumo: Cloudy Day (Tabi miyage dai sanshu: Izumo Matsue: Kumoribi)
Woodblock print
Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series: Matsue in Izumo (Tabi miyage dai sanshu: Izumo Matsue)
Woodblock print
Tsuta Marsh in Mutsu Province (Mutsu Tsutanuma), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshû)
Woodblock print
Tutsa Marsh, Mutsu, from the series Souvenirs of Travel, First Series
Woodblock print
Yûhi Falls at Shiobara (Shiobara Yûhi no taki), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshû)
Woodblock print
The Village Road
Woodblock print
Road Under Repair
2021
Mineral pigments on paper
Star Fish Road
Color etching and aquatint
Travel Companion II
Etching and aquatint
Ejiri—No. 19, from the series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Tokaido gojusan tsugi)," also known as the Reisho Tokaido
Color woodblock print
Mishima—No. 12, from the series "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Tokaido gojusan tsugi)," also known as the Reisho Tokaido
Color woodblock print
Journey Without Goal
2019
Etching with silver leaf
Cold Camellia Road (triptych)
Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)
Snowy Road (700)
Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)
Spring Road (457)
Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)
House On a sloping road
Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)
Narrow road
Etching
Road trip
Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)
Early autumn, mountain road
Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)
Mother And child walking along a forest road
Mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock)
Related Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel scenes document journeys along Japan's historic roads, sea routes, and pilgrimage paths, forming one of the woodblock print tradition's most commercially successful and artistically significant genres. The meisho-e (famous places) format, which presented sequential views of notable sites along a route, generated some of ukiyo-e's greatest masterworks and established templates that artists followed for generations.
Kawase Hasui, Jun'ichiro Sekino, and Utagawa Hiroshige are among the artists most associated with travel scenes in our collection. Browse the full list of artists who explored this subject above.
Hanga currently catalogues 502 prints tagged with travel scenes, spanning ukiyo-e, shin-hanga, and sōsaku-hanga traditions where applicable.