Following the kick-off ceremony for the new tourism initiative “Edo Shogun Roads,” freelance writer and photographer Sébastien Raineri published an article on the project with French-language media Asialyst. Jarman International coordinated various freelance writers based in Japan to attend the event, held in Tokyo in March 2026.
In his article, Sébastien introduced the history of the five Edo-period (1603–1868) highways which give the tourism initiative its name, touching on their role in maintaining social order as well as how they helped facilitate developments in domestic travel, art, and hospitality traditions.
He also explained the background behind the current “Edo Shogun Roads” tourism promotion initiative, led by the Kanto Transport Bureau and which mobilizes local governments, destination management organizations (DMOs), and tourism-related businesses. Edo Shogun Roads’ suggested activities and itineraries focus on experiential tourism, and Sébastien notes how this can help visitors form a deeper connection to the rich history and traditions found along the old Edo highways.
“The project offers a coherent interpretation of the territory, structured by thematic itineraries and site-specific experiences,” he writes (automatic translation by Google Chrome).
Sébastien, who is originally from Marseille, has also written for the Jarman-owned online media Deep Japan, where he has explored topics including film, ukiyo-e art, and navigating the professional world in Japan.