Nakasendo Walk (32) Toriimoto(63/69)-Echigawa(65/69)-Gokasho: April 3, 2023 (off Tokyo)

I resumed my Nakasendo Walk after 3-year halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic. My last walk was in May, 2019.

Today, I walked from Toriimoto, the 63rd shukuba station from Nihonbashi in Tokyo, to Echigawa, the 65th station. Today’s walk was about 16 km.

Toriimoto is in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. There are many Edo period-style buildings preserved here.

They include old style drug store.

 

Toriimoto’s paper-made raincoats were famous in the Edo period. The signboard was preserved at a store.

 

One of traditional house was used as an elderly care service station.

 

The tourist information in the town, such as information boards and exhibitions in a tourist center, is much better now than four years ago, when I visited here last time. I was glad of the improvement.

 

I walked southward. Nakasendo runs through a flat place between Lake Biwa in the west and the Suzuka mountains in the east. Nakasendo, the Shinkansen Line and Meishinexpressway run in parallel.

I found statues of Jizo, a Buddhist guardina deity of children, in many places during my walk. (See the 2nd photo)

 

Takamiya, the 64^th station, is also in Hikone City. It was one of the largest shukuba stations in Nakasendo in the Edo era.

Old-style buildings are well preserved in Takamiys, too.

 

A big gate of Taga-taisha shrine stands in at the center of the shukuba street. Taga-taisha is the biggest shrine in Shiga Prefecture.

 

Takamiya was famous for its trade of linen fabric in the Edo era. One of trader’s house is now used as a tourist center.

A lantern shop in Edo period-style is open near the big gate. (See th 3rd photo)

 

I passed the “Muchin (free charge) Bridge” on the Inukami River when I left Takamiya station. Cherry blossom in the river banks were beautiful.

 

I continued walking. Agricultural fields spread on both sides of Nakasendo in some parts.

The Suzuka mountains were beautiful.

I found cherry blossom behind a wheat field (See the top photo).

 

I passed Toyosato Town before arriving in Echigawa station. The birthplace of famous merchants Ito Chubei 1st and 2nd – father was active in the Meiji to Taisho period; son in the Showa period – is preserved at the side of Nakasendo.

Omi, or Shiga prefecture in current name, was historically famous for producing many famous merchants.

 

Echigawa is in Aisho Town. It is also famous as a hometown of many famous merchants, including Yasujiro Tsutsumi.

Two gates in both sides of the station welcome tourists.

I finished today's walk at Gokasho, aout 3km from Echigawa.