Nakasendo Walk (1) Nihonbashi-Toda: Oct. 13, 2012

Nakasendo is one of 5 major national roads in the Edo era (other 4 are Tokaido, Koshu Kaido, Nikko Kaido and Oshu kaido).

It linked Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto through mountain area, whereas Tokaido linked the two cities through seaside area. Nakasendo went through Tokyo, Saitama, Gunma, Nagano, Gifu, Shiga, and Kyoto (in current prefecture names). It had 69 shukuba stations. 

I started my walk from Nihonbashi toward north-northwest. Department stores gather in the area. Mitsukoshi Department store, which has developed from a famous clothing shop Echigoya established in 1673, had long been a top brand in the country. Bank of Japan's headquarters is also in the area.

I walked through JR Kanda station, Akihabaya electronic shop area and arrived in Kanda Myojin Shrine. It is one of Tokyo's most famous shrines. Many visitors were there. A wedding ceremony was taking place.

I moved to Hongo area, where many Daimyo (local ruler) houses were in the Edo area. Leading Daimyo Maeda family's house had turned into the University of Tokyo and famous "Red Gate" remains.

Ohter historical buildings and monuments also remain in the area. I dropped in Daienji Temple and Enjoji Temple, where a tomb and a monument of Yaoya Ohichi, the most famous arsonist in Japan's history, remain. She placed fire to make an opportunity to meet her one-sided lover. She was later arrested executed in Suzugamori.

I proceeded to Sugamo, a popular place among elder people. Many visitors gathered in Koganji Temple or Togenuki Jizo. It is believed to call good heath.

I arrived in Itabashi, the first shukuba station. Itabashi meand a wooden bridge. Current concrete bridge is built as if it is made of wood. The area is now a community-oriented shopping area.

I dropped in Enkiri Enoki, which was believed to bring separation (of man and woman etc.) in the Edo era. Many wish tablets were hanging in the boards. The wishes included “May Mr. A and his wife divorce, then I wish marry him”.

A pair of nettle trees remain at the sides of Nakasendo at Shimura, Itabashi ward. The trees were planted in every 4 kilometers and the places were called Ichiri-zuka (milestone) in the Edo era. National Rout 17 runs on old Nakasendo. Many cars ran through the trees.

I crossed a bridge over Arakawa River,which flows Tokyo-Saitama border.  The first city in Saitama Prefecture was Toda. It was about 15 km from Nihonbashi.