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.