each ri, which was defined at the time as 3.93 km (2.44 mi) from the starting point at Nihonbashi. While the Five Routes crossed many waterways, few bridges were built. Instead, ferry boats were instituted. Five Routes All five routes started at Nihonbashi in Edo. From that point, each road linked the capital with other parts of the country. Tōkaidō The Tōkaidō had 53 stations, connecting with Kyoto. Once it reached Kusatsu-juku, it shared its route with the Nakasendō. Nakasendō The Nakasendō (also often called the Kisokaidō) had 69 stations and ran through the center of Honshū, connecting with Kyoto. The Nakasendō's Shimosuwa-shuku served as the end point for the Kōshū Kaidō. Also, the Nakasendō merged with the Tōkaidō at Kusatsu-juku. Kōshū Kaidō The Kōshū Kaidō had 44 stations, connecting with Kai Province (Yamanashi Prefecture), before ending at the Nakasendō's Shimosuwa-shuku. Ōshū Kaidō The Ōshū Kaidō had 27 stations, connecting with Mutsu Province (Fukushima Prefecture). There were subroutes that connected to other places of northern Japan, too. Nikkō Kaidō The Nikkō Kaidō had 21 stations, connecting with Nikkō Tōshō-gū in modern-day Tochigi Prefecture. Other official routes As part of the Five Routes network, eight minor routes were also created by the shogunate: Aizu Nishi Kaidō Honzaka Dōri Mibudō Minoji Mito Kaidō Nikkō Onari Kaidō Nikkō Reiheishi Kaidō Sayaji Yamazaki Dōri Unofficial routes In addition to the five routes, there were minor routes that were unofficial branches of or alternates to the main routes, or infrequently used routes. Some of the routes were referred to as hime kaidō, as they were alternate paths for main trade routes, but none were officially called that. See also Gokishichidō Kaidō References Road transport in Japan Edo period