Nikko Kaido Walk (3)Soka-Koshigaya: May 5, 2026

 

I resumed my walk along the Nikko Kaido. Today's walk covered about 8 kilometers, from Soka (the second shukuba station from Nihonbashi) to Koshigaya (the third atation).

Soka City has a population of 250,000. It locates north of Adachi Ward in Tokyo and developed as a commuter town for Tokyo after World War 2.

The Nikko Kaido runs parallel to the Tobu Railway (Skytree Line). The buildings of the Edo-period were lost in this area by fire in the Meiji era. Nevertheless, many buildings with a traditional atmosphere remain along the Nikko Kaido. Some parts of the Nikko Kaido have wide bicycle lanes.

Soka is famous for “Soka senbei,” a brand of rice crackers baked with soy sauce. The senbei originated in the Edo period and became nationally known after the Meiji era. Many senbei shops stands along the Nikko Kaido.

I found a stone monument marking the birthplace of Soka senbei at the northern part of Soka shukuba station. (See the 2nd photo)

Passing through the shukuba station, I came across a row of pine trees. It is about 1.5 kilometer long and 643 Japanese black pine trees are planted along the Nikko Kaido. The place is known as Soka Matsubara. (See the top and 2nd photos)

The Ayase River flows along the pine row.

The pine tree-row was originally developed in the Edo period. However, many trees withered due to the effects of automobile exhaust after World War 2. People began to make efforts I the 1970s to replant trees and convert the area into a walking path. It has now become a place of relaxation for people.

Soka Matsubara is also known as a place associated with Matsuo Basho, a famous haiki poet in the Edo era, and with his work "Oku no Hosomichi." Basho’s statue stands here.

At Soka, the city’s administration and citizens are working together to preserve its history and promote tourism. I saw informational facilities and signs throughout the city.

Near Soka Matsubara, a large-scale housing complex, considered one of the largest in Asia at the time, was built in the 1960s. Currently, redevelopment has transformed it into a residential area with commercial facilities. The station name changed from the former Matsubara Danchi to Dokkyo University-mae.

I continued walking north and entered Koshigaya City. This area is low-laying, and there were signs warning of the risk of flooding.

Koshigaya is known for its doll-making industry. I found some doll shops along the Nikko Kaido.

 

Horse Show @ Baji Park: May 3, 2026

Japan is celebrating the “Golden Week” holidays from the end of April to the beginning of May.

A horse show was held at the Baji Park (Equestrian Park) in Setagaya City, Tokyo. Various events were planned.

Many families gathered at the venue, enjoying a relaxed time.

Various competitions, including show jumping and dressage, were held.

Numerous visitors watched the competitions.

I enjoyed the show jumping competition. The performance of horse and rider working together was magnificent.

The Japanese eventing team won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which has made the sport more popular than before.

The Baji Koen hosted the equestrian competitions for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. In September 2026, the equestrian events for the Asian Games will be held here.

Tokaido 57 Walk (5) Hirakata-Korien: April 6, 2026

 

I started my walk today from Hirakata shukuba station. Hirakata was the largest of the four shukuba stations added to the Tokaido between Kyoto and Osaka.

The area around Keihan Railway's Hirakata-shi Station has now been converted into a commercial district.

 

The town has been renovated to retain the atmosphere of the old Tokaido, with many houses featuring lattice doors and windows.

 

The site of the main inn (honjin) has been developed into a park.

 

An inn building, which retains the architectural style of the time, is now used as a museum.

In the Edo period, Hirakata shukuba station flourished along the Yodo River. People of the time moved the area (from Yodo shukuba station through Hirakata to Koraibashi in Osaka) not only by walking but also by boat.

 

In the Edo period, the Yodo River flowed right beside this building. A new embankment was built in the Meiji era, and the river is now a little further away from the building.

From the second floor of the building, the view of the Yodo River was clearly visible. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

The riverbanks of the Yodo River had been developed into a park. (See also the top photo)

 

There is a museum exhibiting the history and nature of the Yodo River nearby.

 

After walking for about 15 minutes from Hirakata shukuba station, I arrived a promenade with a waterway along the Tokaido road. Here too, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. (See also the 3rd photo)

 

The Tokaido road then followed the Yodo River embankment. Many people were passing by on foot or by bicycle.

 

The skyscrapers of Osaka were visible downstream.

The Tokaido Road passed through Hirakata City and entered Neyagawa City. This time, I walked as far as Kōrien in Neyagawa City.

 

Tokaido 57 Walk (4) Iwashimizu Hachimangu-Hirakata: April 5, 2026

 

I walked the old Tokaido 57 stations route for the first time in about a year. The Tokaido 57 route was developed around 1620 as an addition to the Tokaido 53 stations route (Tokyo-Kyoto section), which was developed in the early 1600s.

The Tokaido 57 route is approximately 50 kilometers long, from just before Kyoto to Osaka. Further explanation can be found in the “Tokaido 57 Walk (1)” post (March 27, 2025).

Today's walk was from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine to Hirakata. Near Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, three tributaries of the Yodo River (Uji River, Katsura River, and Kizu River) meet. Approximately 220 cherry trees are planted along the riverbank at the confluence.

My visit coincided with the peak of cherry blossom season. Many people were there enjoying the blossoms.

The Tokaido road follows the Yodo River embankment. The cherry blossoms viewed from the Tokaido were magnificent. (See also the top photo)

Many people were enjoying cycling and walking along the road on the embankment. I found some cyclists sitting on the land to enjoy the cherry blossoms. (See the 2nd photo)

At this time of year, the rapeseed flowers were also in full bloom. Butterflies fluttered among the flowers. (See also the 3rd photo)

 

The Tokaido road left Kyoto Prefecture and entered Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture. I found a site of the Kuzuha daiba after crossing the prefectural border. It was built in 1965, at the end of the Edo period, for the purpose of defending Kyoto.

 

Continuing along the road, I arrived at Kuzuha Station of the Keihan Electric Railway. In front of the station is the largest shopping mall along the Keihan lone.

 

Part of the Tokaido road has become Osaka Prefectural Road No. 13.

 

Another section goes through a residential area.

The parks in the city were also full of cherry blossoms at this time of year. (See the 4th photo)

 

The Tokaido road continues south along the Yodo River. After walking over 10 kilometers from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, I arrived at the eastern end of Hirakata shukuba station.

 

Hirakata was a long, narrow shukuba town stretching for about 1.5 kilometers. The townscape retains the atmosphere of the Edo period.

 

Cherry blossom: March 27-29, 2026

 

The cherry blossoms in Tokyo reached full bloom this past weekend (Friday, March 27th - Sunday, March 29th). Many places were　crowded with people enjoying hanami or cherry blossom viewing.

I enjoyed the cherry blossoms along the walking pathways and in parks in Setagaya City.

 

On March 29th, families and groups of young people gathered at Hanegi Park, enjoying picnics under the blossoms.

The weather was fine, and the contrast between the bright blue sky and the pink cherry blossoms was striking. (see also the top and the 2nd photos)

 

Many cherry trees were also in bloom along the walking pathways.

Spring flowers such as rapeseed blossoms were also in bloom.

 

I saw children playing under the cherry trees in a small park.

This year, cherry blossoms started earlier than usual in many areas across Japan, including Tokyo. This is said to be due to the high temperatures in early spring.

Snow & election: Feb. 8, 2026

 

We have had heavy snowfall in northern Japan (Tohoku and Hokuriku regions) since early February. Tokyo also experienced snowfall yesterday and today.

I found the roads, roofs and school grounds covered with snow. The trees were lightly covered in snow at a walkingway in Setagaya City.

 

A small snowman, likely made by a child, had been placed on a tree stump.

 

The Lower House election was held on February 8th. Snow was piled up on the side of the road leading to the polling station.

Prime Minister Takaichi and her ruling party won the election in a landslide victory.

The election campaign featured little policy debate. Instead, the images of politicians as well as parties were contested. Takaichi looked to have succeeded in promoting the image of a strong leader.

As in the US and many European countries, signs of populism, inward-looking attitudes, right-wing shifts, and social media elections were evident, in my impression.