The ichirizuka were designated rest areas established by the Tokugawa Shogunate (1600-1868) for travellers along the Tokaido Road and used as distance markers. The Ichirizuka in Hatajuku Village indicated the distance of 23 ri (1 ri being approximately 4km) from Edo (modern day Tokyo). The distance for the ichirizuka was calculated from Edo rather than Kyoto, reinforcing the new location of the center of Japan at that time. The construction of the mound began in 1612 and is believed to have been completed the same year. They were placed in three locations in Hakone Town: Hatajuku, Yumoto Chaya and Moto-Hakone. The one we see today was restored in 1998 and there are few remaining in Japan due to new road construction and modern development. The mounds were placed on both sides of the road, with fir trees planted on the right side and zelkova trees on the left side when viewed from Hatajuku.