嬉野温泉観光協会

　During the Edo period, the plain of Ureshino was governed by Hasuike Sub-domain, while its mountains were owned by Saga Domain. The post town of Ureshino on the Nagasaki Kaido belonged to Hasuike Sub-domain. Also known as "Ureshino Yuyado" or Ureshino Hot Spring Town at that time, this post town had a town gate on both the east end and the west end of the street, which marked the borders of the town and were called "Kamaeguchi."
　The eastern gate was built near the present entrance of Wataya Besso, facing the main street, and the western gate was built near the entrance of Taishoya. The post town was about 500 meters long, and the gates did not have doors or guardians at ordinary times. However, in case of emergency, these gates served as important points of defense.
　The post town consisted of approximately 100 houses with thatched roofs along the street, including over 30 accommodations, cheap lodgings, and merchant houses. At the center of the post town was Toyotamahime Shrine, adjacent to Ochaya (Joshiya), the station where porters and horses were changed and where the bulletin board to display notices from the government was located. Along the Ureshino River, there was a hot spring bath operated by the Domain. In addition, about 300 meters north of the main street, Zuikoji Temple was used as the lodging for government officials, including Nagasaki Bugyo (governor).

　江戸時代嬉野町は、平野部を蓮池支藩、周辺山地側を佐賀本藩が領有しており、長崎街道の通過する嬉野の宿場は、蓮池支藩の支配地でした。宿場は当時、嬉野湯宿または嬉野湯町ともよばれ、宿場の東西端には街道に町木戸を構え、宿場の境界を示しこの場所を構口とよんでいました。
　構口の木戸は、東口が現在の和多屋別荘の本通り入口付近と西口は大正屋入口前付近に建てられており、宿場の長さは約五百ｍで平時は監視する人も扉もない木戸でしたが変事のときは防御地点となる重要な役目を持っていました。
　宿場内には、三十軒余の旅籠、木賃宿や商家など百軒程のわら屋根の家が街道添いに建並び、宿場の中央には、豊玉姫神社、その隣にお茶屋（上使屋）、人馬継立所、高札場等があり、嬉野川沿いには藩営の温泉浴場が設けられていました。また、長崎奉行などが宿泊する本陣は、街道から北へ約三百ｍ離れた瑞光寺が利用されていました。