嬉野温泉観光協会

　During the Edo period, Ureshino was governed by the Hasuike Sub-domain, which was subordinate to the Saga Domain.
　Known as Ureshino-shuku (Ureshino Hot Spring Town) on the Nagasaki Kaido at that time, it was the first and the most important post town after entering Saga Domain from Omura Domain.
　Joshiya (Ochaya) was the place where daimyos (feudal lords), Nagasaki Bugyo (governor), central government officials, and higher rank samurai from other domains rested, stayed, and were hosted. Saga Domain had about 20 locations.
　Together with Takeo Ochaya, Joshiya at Ureshino Hot Spring Town was a special one with a hot spring, and it extended from the present Yuasobi Hiroba to this monument.
　The new building of Joshiya was completed in 1862 by incorporating the part of precincts of Toyotamahime Shrine, but after the domain was abolished due to the collapse of the Edo government, it was sold to a private owner in 1871 and was reopened as Shioya, one of the best ryokans in Ureshino.
　Although Shioya was burned at the Ureshino Great Fire in 1922, the gate of Joshiya still remains as the mountain gate of Myogenji Temple in Shimojuku, Ureshino-machi.

　江戸時代嬉野町は佐賀藩蓮池支藩の支配地でした。
　当時は長崎街道嬉野宿（嬉野湯宿）と呼ばれ大村領から佐賀領に入った第一番目の重要な宿場でした。
　上使屋（御茶屋）とは、大名・長崎奉行・幕府役人・他藩の上級武士を休憩宿泊させ接待するためのもので、佐賀藩では２０ヶ所ほどが用意されていました。
　嬉野湯宿の上使屋は武雄御茶屋とともに温泉つきの特別のもので、現在の湯遊広場からこの場所あたりまで設けられていました。
　文久２年（１８６２年）に豊玉姫神社境内の一部を取り入れ拡張され新上使屋が完成しましたが、江戸幕府が倒れ廃藩となり明治４年民間に払いさげられて塩屋という嬉野第一の旅館となりました。
　塩屋は大正１１年の嬉野大火の折に焼失しましたが、上使屋の門は嬉野町下宿の明元寺の山門として現存しています。