The Prince was supported by a staff officer, Takamori SAIGO and as the government army was advancing down the Tokaido, it was recorded in Imperial Taruhito's diary that it was a quiet country road to the east, the Prince was on the palanquin, he went on horseback, riding to far places along the way, ate many nice foods which were popular in various places, and enjoyed looking at Cherry blossoms and writing poetry.
参謀の西郷隆盛に補佐され官軍は東海道を下って行くが、この東征の旅路も実はのどかなものであり、親王は常に輿に乗って移動し、途中の宿場で馬の遠乗りをしたり、各地の名産品に舌鼓を打ったり、花見や和歌に興じたりする様子が親王自身の日記に書き残されている。