Koshu Kaido Walk (7) Yose (14/44)-Uenohara(17/44): May 3, 2023

 

I resumed my Koshu Kaido Walk after an interval of about 10 years.

I walked the first part of the Koshu Kaido, which linked Tokyo’s Nihonbashi and Shimosuwa (in Nagano Prefecture), in the early 2010s. Total distance is about 210 km. It goes through Tokyo, Kanagawa, Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures.

Most parts I walked ten years ago was in Tokyo Prefecture and in flat places.

 

Today’s walk was in Kanagawa and Yamanashi prefectures.

The Koshu Kaido goes westward along Lake Sagami (Sagamiko) in this area. (See also the top photo)

Lake Sagami is an artificial lake developed in 1947 with the completion of Sagami Dam on Sagami River.

It also should be remarked that the Koshu Kaido goes through mountainous in today’s course. 

The photo was taken between Yose, the14th shukuba station and today's start, and Yoshino, the 15th station. 

 

I started today’s walk from JR Sagamiko station. Yose, the 14^th shukuba station located in this area.

I saw Lake Sagami just below the Koshu Kaido.

 

The Koshu Kaido was converted to Route 20 in some part. The Koshu Kaido, the JR Chuo Line and the Chuo Expressway run parallel in some areas. (see also the 3rd photo)

The roads runs along the lake in some parts.

Walking the mountainous road about 4km, I arrived at Yoshino, the 15th shukuba station.

There is a monument of the main guest house in the Edo.

 

An traditional house was preserved as a museum today.

 

The scene of the lake from the house was beautiful. There used to flow narrower river in the Edo era.

 

I moved westward and arrived at Fujino area. The area is famous for its yuzu (small citrus fruit) and cultural activities.

Many artworks are displayed in the towns.　These birds are located at the side of Benten Bridge. (See also the 2nd photo. It is a scene of Lake Sagami from the bridge).

 

I arrived in Sekino, the 15^th shukuba station. Some monuments remain.

 

I walked westward and arrived at the border between Kanagawa and Yamanashi prefectures.　There is a bridge （The Sakaigawa Bridge） at the side od the border. This is a scene of Lake Sagami from the bridge.

 

I moved in Uenohara City in Yamanashi Prefecture, I saw Suwa shrine and other monuments before arriving at Uenohara shukuba, the 17^th station.

 

I walked down steep road to Uenohara railway station (It is a river-terrace landscape). Lake Sagami was behind.

 

Ome Kaido Walk (1) Shinjuku-Ogikubo: May 28, 2018

Major five roads of the Edo period – Tokaido, Nakasendo, KOshu Kaido, Nikko Kaido and Oshu Kaido -- are widely known, but there were other important roads in pre-modern Japan. Some of them were called waki-kaido, or secondly major roads.

Many roads have been converted into important national and local roads.

I had a walk along Ome Kaido, which connected Shinjuku and Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, through Ome City, western Tokyo. It had nine shukuba stations.

Today’s walk was from Shinjuku to Ogikubo.

Shinjuku is always busy. JR as well as private lines and subway lines use Shinjuku as their terminals. It is the busiest station in Japan. Many skyscrapers stand in the west of the stations.

There are many construction sites.

I found historical photos of Shinjuku on the protection walls of a construction site.

Ome Kaido cross Kanda River and enters into Nakano Ward (City) from Shinjuku Ward.　The bridge is called Yodobashi。

Current Ome Kaido is crowded with cars. There are shops, restaurants and apartment houses at the sides of the road. Subway Marunouchi Line runs under Ome Kaido between Shinjuku and Ogikubo.

I passed Nakano Sakaue station.　The shukuba station of Nakano existed here. There is no historical buildings or monuments remain.

Then, I passed Nabeya Yokocho near subway Shin-Nakano station.

Sanshi-no-mori park was developed in the place where they have had a research center of silk worms.

I moved westward to Asagaya area.

There are lines of gingko trees at the sides of the road around here.

Ome Kaido meets JR Chuo line at Ogikubo.

Today’s walk was about 8 kilometers. There are eight subway stations between Shinjuku and Ogikubo.