Rickshaw Origin Day

What Is Rickshaw Origin Day?

Every March 24th is "Rickshaw Origin Day" (also called Nihonbashi Rickshaw Day) in Japan. It was established by "Kurumaya Nihonbashi" (now "Nihonbashi Matsutakeya"), which operates rickshaws in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, and was certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association. On March 24, 1870, the Tokyo prefectural government granted permission to manufacture and operate rickshaws to three men said to have invented them, Tokujiro Suzuki, Kosuke Takayama and Yosuke Izumi, who began operating from the foot of Nihonbashi Bridge.

A Vehicle of Japan's Modernization

The appearance of the rickshaw greatly changed how people got around in the Meiji era.

• From palanquins to rickshaws: Compared with the kago, a palanquin carried on people's shoulders, the wheeled rickshaw was faster and needed fewer people to carry a passenger. Rickshaws spread rapidly in the early Meiji era and became a typical sight on Tokyo's streets.
• Spreading across Asia: Rickshaws also spread to China, Southeast Asia, India and elsewhere. The English word "rickshaw" is a shortened form of the Japanese "jinrikisha" (人力車).

The Rickshaw as a Sightseeing Ride

With the spread of trains and cars, the rickshaw's role as everyday transportation came to an end, but today it is popular for sightseeing.

• Rickshaws at tourist spots: In tourist areas such as Asakusa, Kyoto and Kamakura, sightseeing rickshaws, whose pullers guide passengers around town, are popular.
• A revival in Nihonbashi: Since 2004, Kurumaya Nihonbashi has brought rickshaws back to Nihonbashi, their birthplace, and has promoted their appeal at events such as the Nihonbashi Festival and department store events.

Fun Facts About Rickshaws

• "Kuruma" meant rickshaw: In the Meiji era, the rickshaw was so familiar that the word "kuruma" (vehicle) alone referred to it.
• Pullers: Rickshaw pullers are called "shafu." The character "俥," sometimes used in writing the word, came into use in Japan from the Meiji era to represent the rickshaw (a character of the same shape already existed for a Chinese chess piece, so it is not strictly a Japanese-made character).
• The arrival of taxis: In 1912, Japan's first taxi company began operating in Tokyo, and the age of the automobile gradually drew closer.
• An eco-friendly ride: Powered by people, rickshaws are also noted as vehicles that produce no exhaust.

Tips for Marking Rickshaw Origin Day

• Visit Nihonbashi and walk around imagining the Meiji-era streets where rickshaws first ran
• Take a rickshaw ride at a tourist spot and see the town with a puller as your guide
• Look into other vehicles and tools born in the Meiji era of modernization
• Walk a route you usually pass by train and take in the scenery slowly

A Story That Began at the Foot of Nihonbashi

The rickshaw, which first set off from the foot of Nihonbashi in the early Meiji era, eventually spread across Asia. March 24th is a day to see the history of Japan's modernization in the rickshaws still running in tourist spots today.