Ruth Marie Jarman, CEO of Jarman International, is an Advisory Council Member for and an architect of the Edo Shogun Roads project (called the Edo Kaido project in Japanese), an initiative by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Kanto District Transport Bureau.
The Edo Shogun Roads project takes as its motif the five major highways that, during the Edo period (1603 to 1868), connected the shogun’s seat of power, Edo (now Tokyo), with the rest of Japan. The initiative aims to promote tourism in the wider Kanto region and neighboring prefectures to both domestic and international travelers, who tend to congregate in the capital. Given the Edo highways’ rich history, the sites along them are steeped in historical, cultural, and culinary significance.
Ruth was interviewed by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) about the Edo Shogun Roads, and her comments were featured in a Euronews article about the project, published in English and French.
“The original Edo period has that feeling of history, of tradition, of community, of craft, and a deep appreciation for nature,” Ruth says in the article.
“The Edo Shogun Roads represent more than just old roads; they are pathways of resilience that fostered the very identity of the Kanto region. … The communities along them learned to sustain high-quality craftsmanship and a unique culture of hospitality that still welcomes travelers today.”
Jarman International will continue to support the Edo Shogun Roads project, which recently launched an English-language website and promotional materials.