Koshu Kaido Walk (9) Torisawa (21-22/44)-Shimo-Hatsukari(28/44): May 5, 2023

I walked the 3^rd day of mu Koshu Kaido Walk in spring 2023. Today’s course was from Torisawa (upper and lower Torisawas, 21^st and 22^nd shukuba station from Tokyo’s Nihonbashi) to Shimo-Hatsukari, the 28^th station. The walk was about 12 km.

 

There remain some Edo period-style houses in Kami (upper) Torisawa.

 

The road went through mountainous areas and I arrived in Saruhashi, the 23^rd shukuba station.

 

There is a famous Saruhashi Bridge in the in the area. It is an arch bridge over a deep valley of Katsura (Sagami) River. It was originally built in the mid-18^th century. It was rebuilt keeping the design of the original bridge in 1984. (See also the top photo)

 

It attracts many tourists. I found many visitors there. 

Saruhashi shukuba station is now a business and shopping areas.

 

I moved to Komahashi, the 24^th shukuba station. There is a hydroelectric power plant of Tokyo Electric Company in the area. (See also the 4th photo)

 

I moved westward and found a rocky mountain. There stood Iwadonoyama Castle in the middle age. The castle’s master betrayed Takeda Katsuyori, ruler of Kai (Yamanashi) prefecture in the late 16^th century and the Takeda family perished.

 

I could see beautiful scene of Mr. Fuji from a place near Otsuki, the 25^th shukuba station. (See also the 2nd photo)

The scene of Katsura River (upper part of Sagami River) was so beautiful in this area. (See the 3rd photo)

 

Otsuki City is running a campaign of Momotaro, a famous Japanese fairy tale character. They insist that Otsuki is a home of Momotaro legend. I found many campaign designs.

 

I moved through Shimo-Hanasaki, the 26^th station. An old main inn remains at Shimo-Hanasaki.

 

I moved into the area of Kami-Hanasaki, the 27th station. 

I found a facility to provide maintenance services for the Chuo Express Highway in Kami-Hanasaki area. There were many special vehicles parking in the site. (See the 4th photo)

 

The Koshu Kaido goes west along Sasago River, a branch of Katsura River (Katsura River is called Sagami River in the lower part).

 

I arrived in Shimo-Hatsukari, the 28^th station. It is 100 km from Tokyo’s Nihonbashi.