There are controversies about who invented the rickshaw, what it is known for sure is that it appeared around the middle of the 19 century. Around the same period, in 1850, but 37 years before the first rickshaw appeared in Tokyo, the head priest of a small temple on the Nakasendo road invented the vehicle photographed here.

It is in fact a Japanese palanquin called kago, with wheels attached. According to the temple’s recordings, this was the first man pulled cart in Japan, and today can be seen at the Koutoku-ji temple, in Tsumago, Nagano.

Koutoku-ji Temple, Tsumago, Nagano

EXIF Info:

Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Red bridge of Kiyosu Castle