Tokaido Walk (28) Kuwana-Yokkaichi (off Tokyo): May 3, 2014

I resumed my Tokaido walk using the “Golde Week” holidays. It was from Kuwana, the 42^nd shukuba station from Nihonbashi, Edo (Tokyo), to Yokkaichi, the 43^rd station.

Kuwana is the first shukuba station in Mie Prefecture. It locates at the side of Ibi River. The river flows downwards together with Nagara River and Kiso River into the sea.

People from Edo arrived in Kuwana by boats, not on foot. Miya (41^st station) – Kuwana was the only part which was connected by the sea route, not by the land route.

The scene is completely different from that in the Edo era. Huge river banks have been built. Huge barrier (weir) was built at the month of Nagara River. The Nagara Barries cased a big debate on the balance of economic development and environment protection throughout the nation.

We could see the barrier from a sightseeing tower (in Japanese castle style) in former Kuwana port area.

Tokaido goes down to Yokkaichi. The street signs for tourists are well arranged.

Mie Prefecture is famous for its Ise-ebi lobster. I enjoyed it for dinner.