Koshu Kaido Walk (15) Nirasaki(40/45)-Daigahara(41/45): April 27, 2024

Today's walk between Nirasaki and Daigahara was about 16km. Due to public transportation service, I moved first to Daigahara by bus and walked down (toward Tokyo) to Nirasaki.

Daigahara shukuba station keeps many traditional buildings. It is a popular visiting spot to travelers. It is now in Hokuto City.

 

There stand buildings of Shichiken Brewery along Koshu Kaido in Daigahara. The brewer started its business in 1750. Today, they have exhibitions, a souvenir shop and a coffee shop in the buildings. (see also the top photo)

 

The View of Mt. Kaikoma (2967m) was beautiful from Daigahara.

 

There was a good view of Mt. Kaikoma and three Hoo Mountains (2764-2841m) from Oomukawa Bridge, about 5km from Daigahara.

 

Koshu Kaido runs narrow spaces between mountains. Kamanashi River and its branches flow along Koshu Kaido.

Because of geographical reasons, they repeatedly had floods in the past. They now face flood risks.

I found alarming signs of flood in many places in the area. They warned the possibility of 5 meter-high flood in Hokuto City,

The risk of 3 meter-high flood was displayed with a red-tape mark in Nirasaki City.

 

Entering in Nirasaki City, I found mountains with huge rock walls standing along Kamanashi River.

Big round rocks spread in the riverbanks. They seemed to have been moved here by floods.

 

I found industry waste processing factories, solar panel generators and many distribution centers along Koshu Kaido in this part.

 

Nirasaki declares itself as a city of football, Takeda Family’s homeland and a good view of Mt. Fuji. Such information is displayed in front of JR Nirasaki starion.

 

Koshi Kaido Walk (14) Kofu-Nirasaki: (39/45-40/45): April 26, 2024

 

I resumed my Koshi Kaido Walk. Today’s walk was from Kofu, the 39^th sukuba station from Nihonbashi, to Nirasaki, the 40^th. The distance was about 14km.

I enjoyed good views of Mr. Fuji from several point.

 

My first good view of Mt. Fuji was from Arakawabashi Bridge, near central Kofu.

 

Then, I arrived at Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, which is about 3km from central Kofu. There is a “Big Apple” object in the garden. The combination of Mt. Fuji and the Big Apple was impressive. (See the 2nd photo)

The museum holds many western masterpieces incluging Millet's "the Gleaners." 

I arrived in Kai City. Kamanashi River flows along Koshu Kaido in this area.

Takeda Shingen, a famous ruler of the area in the 16^th century, introduced various flood control measures including river banks, in Kamanashi River area.

The area is now called Shingen Zutsumi. I saw Yatsugatake volcanic mountains over Kamanashi River.

 

Traditional atmosphere remains in some parts of Koshu Kaido. The photo was taken in Futaba area of Kai City.

 

I passed Shiokawa Bridge and enter into Nirasaki City. Mt. Fuji was beautiful from the bridge. (See the top photo)

 

Koshu Kaido is now a shopping street in Nirasaki.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yamagata and Yonezawa; April 17, 2024

I visited Yamagata City and Yonezawa City in Yamagata Prefecture.

Both cities locate in basins surrounded by mountains. Cherry blossom was its peak when I visited the cities.

Yamagata City is a capital of Yamagata Prefecture. It developed as a castle town in the pre-Meiji era.

Cherry, dandelion and other flowers were beautiful in Kajo (Yamagata Castle) park.

 

There were creeks in the town in the Edo era. One of them is now used as a part of a shopping district.

 

Traditional houses remain and are used as shops and other commercial facilities.

 

There is a bus terminal in front of JR Yamagata Station. Many people use buses to commute to Sendai. It takes an hour between Yamagata and Sendai.

 

Yonezawa was a capital of Yonezawa domain (han) in the Edo era. Uesugi family was a ruler of the area.

 

Uezugi Kenshin, the founder of renewed Uesugi family in the 16^th century, is popular among people for his strength at wars and his deeply religious attitude.

Uesugi Yozan in 18^th century famous for his management of the domain. He had contributed in restructuring the domain’s expenses and in developing new businesses. Former U.S. President J.F. Kennedy named him as “the most respectful Japanese politician.”

The site of former Yonezawa Castle is now converted into Uesugi Shrine. We can see the statues of Uesugi Kenshin as well as Uesugi Yozan.

 

Mogami River flows in many part of Yamagata Prefecture. The cherry blossom was beautiful in Yonezawa.

 

I

took Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train to move between Yamagata City and Yonezawa.

 

 

Sendai: April 16, 2024

 

I visited Sendai, the largest city in Tohoku area, during my trip to the region.

Sendai developed under Date family in the Edo era.

Date family lived and ruled the land from Aoba Castle. Now the area is a public park.

There stands the statue of Date Masamune, most famous ruler from late 16th century to early 17^th century, on the top of the castle. We can see the buildings of current Sendai city from the castle.

The stone walls remain.

 

Sendai is famous for its Tanabata festival held in summer. A festival car decorations are displayed in a visitor center near the castle.

 

Sendai station’s building is a large commercial facility. The photos of baseball stars were used for the commercial of mobile phones there.

 

The coastal area of Sendai city was severely hit by the quake and tsunami disasters in 2011. I visited the area 14 years ago. (article on Sept. 17-18, 2011)

 

The building of Arahama Elementary School is now a “ruin of the Great East Japan Earthquake.”

The situation in 2011 was preserved.

 

Basements of destroyed houses are also preserved in the coastal area.

 

Reconstruction and developments proceeded in the area. A subway line was open in 2015. Many commercial facilities and houses have been built around a terminal station (Arai Station).

There is an exhibition center of the earthquake disaster and reconstructioin from it in the subway station building. 

 

 

Rikuzentakata on Sanriku Coas, Iwate: April 13-14, 2024

 

More than 13 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.

People in Tohoku district have made great efforts to reconstruct their towns and villages after the disasters. Some plans have been realized while some have not.

 

I visited Rikuzentakata on the Sanriku coast in Iwate Prefecture for the first time since 2015. The city was severely hit by tsunami and more than 1800 prople (about 7% of total population) were killed or missed.

Various works, such as elevation of lands, construction of seawall, building of new houses in the higher places, were under way when I visited the city in 2015. (article on Nov. 1, 2015)

 

Some ruins and monuments are preserved. One example is a tsunami-washed building of Michi-no-eki shopping center. 14.5 meter-high tsunami attacked the building. 

We can see new houses (stand on higher land) behind Michi-no-eki building. (See the top photo)

 

There were about 70 thousand pine trees on the coast. All trees except one were washed away by tsunami in 2011. They started planting new pines after the disaster. Now, more than 40 thousand trees are on the shore.

 This is a scene of the pine-covered coast and the sea. (See also the 2nd photo from the top)

 

The only survived tree was called the miracle pine tree. It died, unfortunately, a year after the disaster. A replica was built later.

 

“Tsunami memorial” facility was open in 2019. Various materials on tsunami and earthquake are displayed.(See also the 3rd photo)

 

Many temporary houses were built after the quake and tsunami disaster. Some are preserved and are now used for educational purpose.

I stayed in one of the houses. I also had a lecture on disasters.

 

 

Spring flowers @ Roka Park: April 2, 2024

 

Japan had cold days in March. Cherry blossom started later than usual.

In Tokyo, cherry blossom has just started. The blossom was declared by Japan Meteorological Agency on March 29. Full open is expected around April 5^th

I visited Roka Park in Setagaya City to enjoy cherry and other spring flowers.

Turip, rape seed flower, cherry and other flowers were open in the park.

Many people were there to enjoy flowers.

 

Cherry was also open along Karasugawa footpath.