Tokaido Walk (22) Hamamatsu-Yoshida: April 28, 2013

It was again a nice day for walking. I had a long walk.

I started Hamamatsu, the 29th shukuba station, passed Maisaka, Arai, Shirasuka, Futagawa stations, and arrived in Yoshida station in Toyohashi City. Sic shukuba station in one day is the largest in my walking. The finished my walk in Shizuoka Prefecture and moved in Aichi Prefecture.

Maisaka, the 30th station, locates at the east side of Lake Hamana. Historical buildings remain.Pine trees are planted at the sides of Tokaido.

People passed Lake Hamana by boat in the Edo era. Now, roads connect east and west of the lake. Lake Hamana was separate from the sea until about 500 years ago(It was a fresh-water lake). It was linked with the sea after a big earthquake in 1498.

A shrine was built in the sand island in the lake. People enjoy fishing both from the land and on the boats.






Arai shukuba station is at the west of the lake. Checking station (sekisho) was built here in the Edo era. The old buildings still remain.

I walked westward to Shirasuka Shukub station. The station originally located at the seaside. The station was completely destroyed by tsunami disaster in 1707.

Tsunami could occur anytime. I found many signboards which showed evacuation passage and related instructions.


The shukuba station was rebuilt on the hilltop after tsunami disaster in 1707. I climbed the slope and found the sea spread under the slope.

I passed Shizuoka-Aichi border. Agricultural fields spread along Tokaido. Old buildings remained in Futagawa, the 33rd station.

Today’s goal was Yoshida, the 34th station from Nihonbashi, Edo.

Tokaido Walk (21) Iwata-Hamamatsu: April 27, 2013

The Golden Week holiday season started. I resumed my Tokaido Walk after about a year’s interval.　The walk is possible only in long holidays as the walk’s “starting point” is far away from Tokyo.

I started my walk from Iwata city (where Mitsuke shukuba station locates). The sky was blue.


I crossed Tenryu River and moved into Hamamatsu City. The river used to be called Violent Tenryu as it often caused flood disasters.

Water control engineer Meizen Kibara’s museum was open near the river. He lived late Edo through Meiji era.

Hamamatsu is the 29th shukuba station from Edo.　It had 6 honjin (main inn where Government officials could stay). The number was the largest (along with Hakone shukuba). Now, no such historical buildings remain.



Iwata and Hamamatsu are hometowns of Yamaha and Suzuki motors. They also have factories of various fields. Factories as well as auto shops stood along Tokaido in the area.

Tamagawa River’s spring: April 13, 2013

Cherry blossom is over and the season is turning from early spring to mid-spring. I visited Tamagawa River to enjoy spring.

It was a bright warm day. The sky as well as the river was blue. Riversides were covered with beautiful fresh green. Birds flew over the river and butterflies flied in the bushes.

I found many people enjoying fishing. Baseball, football and other sports were played in the riverside grounds. BBQ parties were held in many places.

People also enjoy walking, jogging and cyclists in the roads on the banks.

Hanging Gardens after Spring Storm: April 7, 2014

Tokyo had a spring stormy day

yesterday. With its passing, we had a clear day today.

I walked nearly 15 kilometers through residential and commercial areas in Tokyo.


Fresh leaves appeared in Tulip trees and other trees in Kitazawagawa Walking Pass in Setagaya Ward. Birds sang and butterflies floated. Cherry blossom still continued in some trees. People enjoy picnic.

I visited newly-opened hanging gardens in Ohashi, Setagaya Ward. The gardens are developed on the highway junction structure, which is scheduled to start full operation late this year. The traffic lanes will run through a huge round building to reduce noises. Gardens are on the roof of the building.

Various trees and flowers were planted there. Children enjoyed running through the gardens. We could see many buildings under the gardens. The sky was so blue.

I walked along Meguro River. Water flew slowly and chelly patals composed flower carpet on the water. But there was a danger of overflow yesterday. It is also a reality of Tokyo's life.