Nakasendo Walk (9) Matsuida-Sakamoto: April 30, 2016

My Nakasendo walk continued. Today’s walk started at a place between Annnaka and Matsuida, the 16^th shukuba station, passed Matsuida station and arrived at Sakamoto station, which locates at the foot of the Usui Pass and is the last station in Gunma Prefecture.

As I approached Matsuida, the scenes of the Myogi Mountains became bigger. The mountains have sharp slopes; the shapes are impressive. I enjoyed seeing the mountains in the town and over the fields.

Nakasendo has turned into a shopping street here. Open air markets were held when I visited Matsuida.

I passed Yokokawa before arriving at Sakamoto. Yokokawa Railway Station used to be a base station to cross the Usui Pass by the Shinetsu line. The Abt rack system, one of rack-and-pinion railways, was introduced here in the late 19^th century and survived till 1963. It changed to the Class EF63 (EF63) electric locomotives and finally finished the operation in 1997 when the bullet train line was open.

Now, Yokokawa railway station is the last station of Shinetsu line which connects Takasaki and Yokokawa.

A special run of a steam locomotive train was planned when I visited Yokokawa.

Many locomotive fans were waiting the photo-shot chances along the railway.

Famous “kamameshi” lunch box was developed more than half century ago and became popular for the travelers because the trains stopped there for a while for their locomotive systems’ exchanges and people preferred to eat while waiting. Now kamameshi is popular not only here bat throughout the nation.

There are several kamameshi stores near the railway station. The Myogi Mountains stand behind.

A check point of Nakasendo or sekisho was placed near Yokokawa in the Edo era. The gate is preserved.

I met many tourists, including foreign cyclists, at Nakasendo around here. (see the 2nd photo from the top)

A walkway has been developed along the old rack-and-pinion railways.

The rail tracks are preserved in some parts.

It has many tunnels.

A railway bridge is kept, too. (see also the 3rd photo from the top)

It was a big fun for me to walk along the trail.

The Sakamot shukuba station is about 500 meter high. Nakasendo has now converted into a well-arranged road. An artificial waterway is developed at the side of the road.

I found they provided good information of the shukuba, including that of the main guest house or honjin, here.

Nakasendo goes into the mountain road to the Usui Pass.

Nakasendo Walk (8)：Takasaki-Annaka；April 29, 2016

It is the Golden Week holiday season. I walked Nakasendo.

Today’s course was from Takasaki, the 13^th shukuba station from Nihonbashi, Tokyo, through Itahana to Annaka.

Takasaki is one of important transportation hubs in the eastern Japan. It is the railway junction of Hokuriku and Joetsu bullet train (shinkansen) lines. It is also a junction of highways.

Takasaki is known as a city of music as it has a local orchestra. The ruin of the castle is now used as a park and cultural centers including a music hall. Open-air music performances were played there.

The city is also known for its Bodhidharma dolls. About 80% of the dolls in Japan are produced in Takasaki. There are tens of factories and shops of the dolls along Nakasendo. I visited some of them. (see also the top photo)

I walked about 8 kilometers and enter into Itahana shukuba station. A part of the main guest house, or honjun, is preserved. Kazunomiya, a royal family member and one of the heroines at the end of the Edo era, stayed here when she moved to Edo (Tokyo) from Kyoto to marry to Tokugawa shogun. It is one of well-known historical episodes in Japan.

Public water is running along Nakasendo. It was made in the Edo era. Historical memories exist in the town.

The country’s oldest church built by a Japanese person remains in Annaka. It is Annaka Church. Niijima Jo, a famous priest and one of leaders of the country’s education at the beginning of the Meiji period, opened the church.

Annaka is also famous as a birth place of Japan’s marathon. The landlord ordered his men to have long-distance runs for exercise in the Edo era.

A marathon race is held every year to commemorate the historical event. Flags and illustrations of the historical event are displayed in many places.

I also visited Isobe, a town of hot spring, near Annaka shukuba station. The place is where the design of hot spring was first used in the Edo era. It is now used nationwide. (see the photo 3rd from thr top)

The town offers public footbath service. I enjoyed it.

Cherry Blossom @ Western Tokyo: April 2, 2016

The cherry was fully open in Tokyo today.

Hundreds of thousands of people seemed to have enjoyed cherry blossom. The Imperial Palace is open to the public at this moment. Ueno Park, Chidorigafuch and other famous places were crowded with cherry watchers.

I enjoyed cherry in Setagaya ward, western Tokyo.

Hundreds of cherry trees are planted along a walking path. I saw many people sitting under the trees and enjoying foods and drinks. Dogs walked around.

Some people were playing music. Audiences looked happy.

I also found birds flying over the trees and tasting the flowers. Their sounds were beautiful.

At Hanegi Park, I saw hundreds of people enjoy picnic. 

The combination of cherry and gingko trees were impressive.