1.
highway, main road, historical route
A major road or route, especially one with historical significance. Often refers to the major highways of the Edo period that connected important cities.
東海道は江戸と京都を結ぶ街道だった。
The Tokaido was the highway connecting Edo and Kyoto.
古い街道に沿って宿場町が並んでいた。
Post towns were lined up along the old highway.
この街道は昔、参勤交代の大名行列が通った道として知られている。
This highway is known as a road that daimyo processions used to travel along during the alternate attendance system.
USAGE:
Primarily associated with historical highways, especially the five major routes (五街道) of the Edo period. Also used figuratively in the expression 出世街道 (path to success).
FAMOUS ROUTES:
- 東海道: Tokaido (Edo to Kyoto along the coast)
- 中山道: Nakasendo (Edo to Kyoto through the mountains)
- 日光街道: Nikko Kaido (Edo to Nikko)
FIGURATIVE USE:
- 出世街道: the road to success