Joyato

At nightfall, with no street lights along the way, traveling became difficult, if not hazardous. In order to assist travelers, stone lanterns were erected at each end of the post-towns to act as guiding beacons. They were lit at dusk and would remain burning until dawn - hence the name joyato or 'all-night lights'. Similar lanterns were also found outside shrines. Many survive today, demarcating the limits of the original post-towns. Good examples are at Oi and Narai.