Nakasendo Walk (24) Okute(47/69)-Mitake (49/69): May 5, 2017

I resumed today’s walk from Fukakaya between Ohi, the 46^th shukuba station, and Okute, the 47^th; I moved through Okute and Hosokute, two small shukuba stations in the mountainous areas, and arrived in Mitake, the 49^th station. It was a tough walk of more than 20 kilometers.

The Jusan Passes (Thirteen passes) lie between Ohi and Okute. I moved through the steep road from Ena City, to which Ohi station belongs, to Mizunami City.

I met across a golf course at the side of Nakasendo in the mountain. Mizunami City has more than 10 golf courses and is said a “city of golf.” (See the 2nd photo from the top)

I found some golf balls carried on Nakasendodo.

The woods are deep in some parts.

Not only Japanese cypress and cedar trees but also cherry covered the the road. (See the top photo)

Okute lies quietly in the mountainous area. The community is far from railway stations and the highways.

An old house of the Edo era, which was used as an inn, a trading house and other purposes, has been converted into an information center. I visited there; was warmly welcomed and received good explanations on the shukuba station as well as the house. The house is now a national tangible cultural property.

Moreover, I received a memory card by post mail after my return to my home in Tokyo. I strongly felt Okute’s passion to promote tourism and to reactivate the community.

The road from Okute to Hosokute, the 48^th station, also goes mountainous areas. A part of the road around the Biwa Pass is paved with stones.

I heard loud sounds of vehicle motors as I approached Hosokute. There is a Motorcycle raceway near Hosokute. I found many sport type cars around the area.

Hosokute, like Okute, is a small shukuba station. It is also far from railway stations.

I found a solar panel generators in the shukuba station. I have seen many solar panels at the sides of Nakasendo as well as Tokaido during my walks. It is, however, the first experience to see the panels inside the station.

An old inn named Daikokuya is still open in Hosokute. The inn was established in the 1850s (late Edo period). It attracts many foreign tourists.

There is another stone-covered slope between Hosokute and Mitake. It is called Utai-zaka. The stones were curved when the road was developed in the Edo era.

The land becomes flatter as I approach Mitake.