noun
resting place between post towns (Edo period); town between two post towns
Historical term for a settlement or resting spot located between official post stations (宿場) along major highways during the Edo period. These places offered basic services to travelers but were not officially designated post towns.
東海道には、正式な宿場のほかに間の宿と呼ばれる休憩所が点在していた。
Along the Tōkaidō, besides the official post stations, there were scattered resting places called ai-no-shuku.
この集落は、かつて間の宿として旅人に茶屋を提供していた。
This settlement once served as an ai-no-shuku, providing teahouses for travelers.
Compound of 間 (ai, 'interval, between') + の (no, possessive particle) + 宿 (shuku, 'lodging, post town'). Literally 'lodging of the interval', referring to a resting place situated between official post stations.