Nakasendo Walk (15) Shimosuwa(29/69)-Shiojiri (30/69): May 15, 2016

When I began walking to west from Shimosuwa , the Onbashira Festival of Suwa Shrine was held there.

I met many many local people moving into the center of the town to enjoy the event. Many of them were in happi traditional festival costume.

With about 30 minute walk from Shimosuwa shukuba station, I moved into Okaya City. Nakasendo first went through residential areas and became hilly.

It is the entrance of the Shiojiri Pass.

The Pass is about 1000 meter high. We can see Lake Suwa, cities and towns around the lake, and many mountains from the pass. If it is very clear, we can see Mr. Fuji, Mt Ontake and the mountains of the Northern Japan Alps. It was unfortunately not clear enough. (see the top photo)

I walked down the pass to northwest, the direction of Shiojiri.

There were many battles in the middle age around this area. The battle in 1548 between Takade Shingen and Ogasawara Nagatoki is espechially famous. Maany people died in the area.

There is a monument to console the spirits of the dead in the field between the Shiojiri Pass and Shiojiri shukuba station. (see the photo 2nd from the top)

Shiojiri shuku is the 30^th station from Nihonbashi. Most buildings were burnt in the fire. Some monuments remain.

The east and west Chuo Lines of railroads meet at JR Shiojiri Station. The east line is from Tokyo and the west line is from Nagoya. Shiojiri is an important traffic terminal.