Nakasendo Walk (19) Miyanokoshi(36/69)-Agematsu(38/69): Oct. 30, 2016

I stated today’s walk from Miyanokoshi, which is famous for Kiso Yoshinaka (see previous article posted on Oct. 29, 2016). 

The town was calm with a few stores.

I walked about a half hour and arrived at the central point of Nakasendo’s 533 kilometers. I saw the Kiso mountains stand behind the monument. see the 2nd photo from the top).

There are various sculptures and monuments along the road. They include the guardians of the communities, the goddess of Kannon and others. I found a stone plate which had been used for the ceremony to pray for the moon.

I walked about two hours and arrived in Fukushima or Kiso Fukushima, the 37^th station.

There was a checking station of Nakasendo here in the Edo era. Travelers were required to be inspected. Some facilities were restored. A big gate was built on the road to symbolize the check station. I found a drawing just under the checking station.

The town lies in the narrow valley of Kiso River. Old houses remain in some parts and the mountains stand quite near.

Kiso Fukushima is the center of local business and social activities. The express trains stop here. The main hospital of the region with heliport is here.

I also found a dam outside of central Kiso Fukushima. (see the photo 3rd from the top)

Both Miyanosaka and Fukushima stations are in Kiso Town.

Some parts of Nakasendo is converted into the National Rout 19　and the railways run along the road. 

Other parts keep the old form of the Edo era. It sometimes goes through the woods.

I walked a few kilometers and entered into Agematsu Town.

There is a beautiful bridge named “Kiso no Kakehashi”. The autumn color behind the bridge was especially beautiful.

I arrived in Agematsu shukuba, the 38^th station. Most buildings of the station were burned in the big fire of the Showa period.