どこビュン佐久平 Sakudaira Trip

#どこビュンの行き先が佐久平になったので、小海線の清里駅から千曲川沿いに自転車で下ってきた。

Rode my bike down from Kiyosato Station on the Koumi Line.

The day began with a picture of my foldable bike with a freight train passing.

Took the Shinkansen at Omiya.

Arrived at Sakudaira.

Weather cloudy. Bought a ticket to Kiyosato for 1,040 yen.

Kiyosato Station by 90 minute ride of Kiha 110.

Began riding at 10:30. Weather turned fine.

Clear water of a deep valley.

Entered Nagano Prefecture.

Passed by the highest point of the JR railways.

This road is very nice for a bicycle.

Had a noodle bowl for an early lunch at Nobeyama (野辺山) Station.

Going along the "Lettuce Road".

Saw an impressive color of river.

Entered the old Hosakamichi (穂坂路) route.

Cycled through a beautiful forest.

Came down from the Okura-Toge Pass (大蔵峠) and crossed with the Koumi Line.

Cabbage field.

Malva flowers aside the farm.

Lettuce rows on what look like former rice terraces.

Found a Koshin statue (庚申様) resting quietly in the cool shade.

Comfortable cycling route along a quiet bypass, away from the new road's traffic.

Pedaled past a historical building in the old post town of Uminokuchi (海ノ口).

Pulled over for a quick break at a local 7-Eleven.

Umijiri Suwa Jinja Shrine (海尻諏訪神社).

Looked down at the Chikuma River from Route 141.

Walked my bike across the river on a footbridge in Koumi town (小海).

Rode over the clear Aiki River (相木川) at its confluence with the Chikuma River.

Spotted a massive rock formation. Imagined that the village name "Takaiwa (高岩)" originated from this peak.

This section runs just close to the stream of the Chikuma River.

Passed in front of JR Yachiho Station (八千穂駅).

Historical buildings were still in use.

Local Sake brewery.

Entered the flat open area of the Sakudaira Basin (佐久平).

Rice fields were nearly ready for harvest.

The street passing through the towns of Kaize (海瀬) and Haguroshita (羽黒下) indicated historical prosperity.

Haguroshita Station was notably quiet at 14:00.

A flock of Great Cormorants was resting.

The historical "KiHoHaNi 56" gasoline railcar is static-displayed at Nakagomi.

Route 141 ascends the terrace cliff created by the Namezu (滑津川) River.

Looked back at the plain surrounding the Chikuma River.

The route intersected with the old Nakasendo. Spent some time riding along the historic route to observe the surrounding scenery.

Took a rest at Mitake Jinja Shrine (御嶽神社), a location I previously visited three years ago during a walking trip along the Nakasendo.

Crossed the railway at Iwamurada Station.

Arrived at Sakudaira Station. Instead of extending the route toward Komoro, I finished the ride and headed home from the station.

It was an easy ride of primarily downhill route, except for certain sections that required high alertness regarding vehicle traffic.

夏の終わりの芝川 Summer is ending

Regular observation. With less sweat.

The Shibakawa River, at Shin-mei-shita-bashi Bridge.

The stubborn mulberry plant.

Mushrooms under the mulberry tree in the parking lot.

Found the remaining of a bird's feast.

Yamaboushi (ヤマボウシ), a kind of Japanese dogwoods.

Its fruit tastes like a mango rather than persimmon.

Found the bitter melon turns vivid yellow when ripen.

The seeds are an unnaturally vivid red.

三国街道Day4 清水峠の下り Descend from Shimizu Pass

素晴らしいキャンプのあと清水部落に下った。

Morgenrote at Shimuzu-toge Pass.

Beautiful morning light filling the grand Yubiso Valley.

A stag beetle dropped by just before departure. That was the last photo—my battery ran out right after.

Met up with my old friends at the foot of the mountain as planned. We stayed overnight together and enjoyed the local dinner and breakfast. On Day 5, we hit a few tourist spots, including Unto-an (雲洞庵) Temple, before heading home. It was a truly wonderful vacation.

三国街道Day3 清水峠 Shimizu Pass

月夜野（後閑駅）から三国街道をそれて清水峠へ。

Departed the camp at 5 in the morning. Walked along the partly abandoned National Route 291.

This spot is still within the tourist area, so walkers can easily access the 'Buna no Shizuku' spring.

Refreshing water for travelers.

Route 291 clings to the cliffs of the massive Yubiso Valley, but heavy snow and avalanches have wiped out the path in several spots. Only experienced climbers should attempt this—everyone else must detour via the trail at the valley floor.

Resumed back to the Route.

Passed the fork to Yomogi-toge (蓬峠) Pass.

Crossed a stream at the top of the waterfall.

When crossing a stream, grassy headwaters visible from the path near the ridge.

Summer blooms.

Looking back at Tanigawadake (谷川岳) mountains.

Fruits for birds.

Blue sky as if painted.

Comfortable rest at a water spot.

Refreshing scenery.

Power lines through the mountains, supplying energy for Tokyo's trains from Niigata. 

One of the headwaters of Nanatsugoyazawa (七ッ小屋沢) stream. 

This section clearly shows the remains of the old Route 291.

Looking back at Yubiso Valley and Mt. Tanigawa.

Shimizu Pass is close.

Old Route 291 approaching the pass top.

JR patrol hut (JR巡視小屋) on the pass top against summer clouds.

Arrived at Shimizu-toge Pass.

Had an amazing camping experience with a cool breeze and hardly any bugs.

Cute alpine plants.

Panoramic view of the pass in twilight. Followed by a blanket of bright stars.

三国街道Day2 Walking the Historic Mikuni Kaido Road

中山峠を越えて後閑駅へ。そこから電車で土合駅へ。

Began walking at 4:30 in the morning.

Konjak plants.

Entered Yokobori-juku (横堀宿) post town, where buildings face to the steep incline leading up to Nakayama-toge Pass.

Had a breakfast of rice balls bought at an convenience store yeaterday.

Looking back, saw the morning sunbeams lighting up the farms behind.

Terraced farms of konjac plants.

Walked a section of an old road, now nearly abandoned since the new road was built.

Passed in front of Gunma Astronomical Observatory (ぐんま天文台).

Great scenery of Nakayama-toge Pass.

The pavement instantly improved upon entering Takayama Village (高山村).

Great to see the beautiful rice paddies in full summer green.

These old stone statues are heartwarming sights along the countryside of the old Kaido route.

Impressive farmhouse aside the road.

Turned left at Honshuku of Nakayama-juku post town (中山宿本宿).

Entered a slope to Kompira-toge (金毘羅峠) Pass. 

Crazy to see beautiful terraced paddies.

Also love to see farming area surrounding the post town.

Dropped by the Shinshuku Honjin (新宿本陣) ruin, recommended by a local resident I met clearing weeds along the road.

Impressive to see how clean and well-organized the village is maintained. Yet, despite being such a beautiful example, a local mentioned that half the houses are now vacant.

Got out of Nakayama-juku and headed to Kompira Pass.

Mid summer blue sky.

Splitting from the vehicle road, entered an old pavement to Kompira Pass.

Reached the historic pine tree where Tasuke Shiobara (塩原太助) and his beloved horse took their final rest together.

Arrived at Kompira Pass and looked back at Takayama Village.

The trail kept winding deeper into the forest.

Amazing texture on this giant rock. Makes me wonder if it’s artificial or natural.

Ceder forestry.

Emerged into the Tsukiyono (月夜野) Basin.

Apples are the local specialty here!

Summer scenery in the highlands: white clouds in a blue sky, lush rice paddies, sweet potato patches, and edamame fields.

Going down to Gokan (後閑駅) railway station.

Crossed two streams:  the Akaya River (赤谷川).

And the Tone River (利根川).

This color of water!

Caught a rare train heading to Nagaoka via Minakami! 

Changed trains at Minakami.

Got off at Doai Station (土合駅), famous for having the longest stairs up to the exit.

Thanks to an early morning start, the sun was still high—needed to take a break to escape the heat. 

Thus had a late lunch at a nearby steakhouse!

Finished lunch to find the air had finally cooled down.

Spotted an abandoned campsite near Machigasawa (マチガ沢) stream for my forecast bivouac. It was a comfortable night in the forest.