Tokaido Walk(25) Okazaki-Chiryu (off Tokyo): May 4, 2013

Aichi is historically important as it was the birthplace of Oda Nobinaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, three heroes of Japanese history who opened the door from the middle age to the early modern period.



Aichi is famous today for its manufacturing and agriculture. Toyota Motor has its headquarters and many factories in Aichi. Many auto-parts makers and other manufacturers have offices and factories here. They produce many vegetables, dairy goods and other agricultural products here.

Today’s walk started from Haccho-cho, western part of Okazak. It is a home land of Haccho miso, a special fermented soybean paste. It has been produced for nearly 350 years. Old buildings of the Edo period also remain here.


Some factories are open for public and I visited Kakukyu’s factory. There were many big barrels in a warehouse building. Miso was in the process of fermentation in them. Other barrels were being dried outside the warehouse. Miso soup was served after the tour.

I walked westward and arrived in Anjo City. The city is called “Japan’s Denmark” as it has developed daily industry. Vegetables are also produced. Fresh farm products were sold at a market.

A festival of Kakitsubata (Iris laevigata) was held at Yatsuhashi area in the city. A famous legend of Ariwara no Narihira, a waka poet in the 9th century, was linked with the area.



There were many factories along Tokaido. Lines of old pine trees continued in front of some factories. I also saw the fields of wheat and other agricultural product along the street (2nd photo).

I passed Chiryu, the 39th station, and crossed Mikawa-Owari border. Huge power transmission towers stood here. I continued my walk to Okehazama, an old battlefield.

Tokaido Walk (24) Akasaka-Okazaki (off Tokyo): May 3, 2013

I started today’s walk from Akasaka, the 36th shukuba station for Fujikawa. It was hilly in the area. Tokaido and Tomei Highway as well as Meitetsu Railway run in parallel through mountains and hills.

Maintenance and renovation works have been made in the last decades here. New pine trees were planted along the street. The works were done as parts of “Tokaido Renaissance Project.”


Wheat and barley fields spread in some parts in the area. Farmers just started planting of rice this week. I heard the sound of flogs and birds here.

I moved westwards and arrived in Okazaki, the 37th station. Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of Tokugawa Government was born in Okazaki castle. He ruled the land from the castle about 10 years.


Many corners were around the castle to defend it from opponent’s attack. The case of Okazaki was more than usual. It had 27 corners. Now, sign boards are placed in each corner.

The city also places the Edo era-related sculptures in many places along Tokaido to attract visitors. The picture shows the image of waitress in the inn.

Tokaido Walk（23）Toyohashi-Akasaka: April 29, 2013

I continued my Tokaido Walk from Yoshida (Toyohashi City), the 34th Shukuba station, through Goyu to Akasaka, the 36th.

I walked westwards about 10 kilometers. There were “ordinal scenes” of Japan along the street in the area. I saw residential houses, factories, shops as well as agricultural fields during my walk.


I arrived in Goyu, the 35th street. It was a small shukuba station. Old fashion buildings remained in the area.

There lie famous lines of pine trees in the west of Goyu station. It is called “Goyu pine trees”. Nearly 300 pine trees are planted along the street. About 90 trees were planted in the Edo era. The row continued about 600 meters.

I arrived in Akasaka shukuba station within 15 minites after leaving Goyu pine trees. Old atmosphere also remains here. There is an old inn named “Ohashiya”. It has received guests since the Edo era.

Tokaido Walk (22) Hamamatsu-Yoshida: April 28, 2013

It was again a nice day for walking. I had a long walk.

I started Hamamatsu, the 29th shukuba station, passed Maisaka, Arai, Shirasuka, Futagawa stations, and arrived in Yoshida station in Toyohashi City. Sic shukuba station in one day is the largest in my walking. The finished my walk in Shizuoka Prefecture and moved in Aichi Prefecture.

Maisaka, the 30th station, locates at the east side of Lake Hamana. Historical buildings remain.Pine trees are planted at the sides of Tokaido.

People passed Lake Hamana by boat in the Edo era. Now, roads connect east and west of the lake. Lake Hamana was separate from the sea until about 500 years ago(It was a fresh-water lake). It was linked with the sea after a big earthquake in 1498.

A shrine was built in the sand island in the lake. People enjoy fishing both from the land and on the boats.






Arai shukuba station is at the west of the lake. Checking station (sekisho) was built here in the Edo era. The old buildings still remain.

I walked westward to Shirasuka Shukub station. The station originally located at the seaside. The station was completely destroyed by tsunami disaster in 1707.

Tsunami could occur anytime. I found many signboards which showed evacuation passage and related instructions.


The shukuba station was rebuilt on the hilltop after tsunami disaster in 1707. I climbed the slope and found the sea spread under the slope.

I passed Shizuoka-Aichi border. Agricultural fields spread along Tokaido. Old buildings remained in Futagawa, the 33rd station.

Today’s goal was Yoshida, the 34th station from Nihonbashi, Edo.

Tokaido Walk (21) Iwata-Hamamatsu: April 27, 2013

The Golden Week holiday season started. I resumed my Tokaido Walk after about a year’s interval.　The walk is possible only in long holidays as the walk’s “starting point” is far away from Tokyo.

I started my walk from Iwata city (where Mitsuke shukuba station locates). The sky was blue.


I crossed Tenryu River and moved into Hamamatsu City. The river used to be called Violent Tenryu as it often caused flood disasters.

Water control engineer Meizen Kibara’s museum was open near the river. He lived late Edo through Meiji era.

Hamamatsu is the 29th shukuba station from Edo.　It had 6 honjin (main inn where Government officials could stay). The number was the largest (along with Hakone shukuba). Now, no such historical buildings remain.



Iwata and Hamamatsu are hometowns of Yamaha and Suzuki motors. They also have factories of various fields. Factories as well as auto shops stood along Tokaido in the area.

Tamagawa River’s spring: April 13, 2013

Cherry blossom is over and the season is turning from early spring to mid-spring. I visited Tamagawa River to enjoy spring.

It was a bright warm day. The sky as well as the river was blue. Riversides were covered with beautiful fresh green. Birds flew over the river and butterflies flied in the bushes.

I found many people enjoying fishing. Baseball, football and other sports were played in the riverside grounds. BBQ parties were held in many places.

People also enjoy walking, jogging and cyclists in the roads on the banks.

Hanging Gardens after Spring Storm: April 7, 2014

Tokyo had a spring stormy day

yesterday. With its passing, we had a clear day today.

I walked nearly 15 kilometers through residential and commercial areas in Tokyo.


Fresh leaves appeared in Tulip trees and other trees in Kitazawagawa Walking Pass in Setagaya Ward. Birds sang and butterflies floated. Cherry blossom still continued in some trees. People enjoy picnic.

I visited newly-opened hanging gardens in Ohashi, Setagaya Ward. The gardens are developed on the highway junction structure, which is scheduled to start full operation late this year. The traffic lanes will run through a huge round building to reduce noises. Gardens are on the roof of the building.

Various trees and flowers were planted there. Children enjoyed running through the gardens. We could see many buildings under the gardens. The sky was so blue.

I walked along Meguro River. Water flew slowly and chelly patals composed flower carpet on the water. But there was a danger of overflow yesterday. It is also a reality of Tokyo's life.

Cherry @Baji Park, Gotokuji Temple, Kitazawagawa Walkway: March 30-31, 2013

Tokyo’s cherry blossom was its peak in the last week of March (March 24-31). I enjoyed cherry this weekend (March 30 and 31).

Towns were colored with pink. Flower petals fell slowly in the wind. Many roads and gardens were covered with flower carpet.

I visited Baji Park (Equestrian Park) on March 30. Swans swam elegantly in the pond of Japanese Garden. Tens of cherry trees were planted around the pond.


Families enjoyed picnic under cherry.

I visited Gotokuji Temple on March 31. Flower carpet spread before the tower and main buildings.

I also walked along Kitazawagawa Walkway. Many people enjoyed Hanami picnic.

Shanghai (off off Tokyo): March 23, 2013

I walked across Shanghai eastward from Hongqiao area to Waitan (the Band) through Yan’an Road and Nanjing Road. It was more than 10 kilometers. I found daily lives (it was Saturday) and commercial activities of the city.

I passed Inner Ring Elevated Road after about 30 minutes walk. Tianshan Park and Kaiqiao Green Land lied just inside the Ring road. Shanghai is said to have fewer green areas than other major cities in the world and the city is trying to increase green areas. Kaiqiao Green Land was developed removing 1257 families and 12 factories, according to the explanation in the board.

I arrived at Jing’an Temple. The temple has long history, but it has converted into a modern building made of cement. New construction works were under way in the inner court.

The ground floor of the temple (outside, not inside) was used for shops and restaurants. It was like temple-commercial complex.

People’s Square was crowded with people seeking information for marriage matching. Personal information (e.g. 25 years old woman, seeks a man with more than 180 cm and income of xx thousands yen).

Part of East Nanjing Street was vehicle free. It was crowded with local people and tourists.

I arrived in Waitan. Visitors were taking pictures with Pudong’s skyscrapers (at the opposite side of the river) in their back.

Suzhou's spring (off off Tokyo): March 22, 2013

It was late autumn when I visited Suzhou in 2011. Today, I enjoyed the city’s spring.

Spring flowers blossomed and the leaves were fresh green in Humble Administrator’s Garden.

I heard various birds singing. Fishes swam slowly.

The streets outside the garden preserve traditional atmosphere. Local people as well as visitors walked slowly and spring fruits were sold there.