陰影起伏図で見つけた窪地を見に出かけた。窪地の近くの岩槻久伊豆神社にお参りし、野田線の川間駅から関宿の江戸川分岐まで歩いてきた。

 

Found a big depression on the shaded relief map on my PC.

 

Started my holiday at Iwatsuki Hisaizu Shrine.

 

 

 

Crossed over the Motoarakawa River.

 

Arrived at the depression on the map. It was Minamihirano Park (南平野公園), which was constructed as a rainwater reservoir. I had imagined a landscape with spring water, but it was not.

 

Moved to Kawama Station (川間駅) and began my walk north along the Edogawa River (江戸川).

 

It was not a major "kaido" route, but I found some old stone statues along the way.

 

Wow! All these green onions!

 

Found this river was dry. Kurihori Bridge over the Kurihori River (くり堀川).

 

A rural atmosphere still remains in this area.

 

Crossed Route 16.

 

Climbed up onto the left bank of the Edogawa River.

 

Mt. Tsukuba (筑波山) appeared far off over the green onion fields.

 

Descended to the flat ground and continued my walk. Looking up, the sky felt incredibly broad over the freshly mowed bank.

 

Walked past the Sekiyado Soaring Center (the glider field).

 

Passed by the football field, where kids were playing.

 

Four tractor mowers parked and ready for action.

 

Could actually touch the river water at this point. Imagined a big fish biting  a worm.

 

 

After the point with the tractors, the grass on the bank grew knee-high. I took a paved path up the bank to see what was on the inner side of the embankment.

 

From Sekiyadobashi Bridge (関宿橋), the northern mountain ranges were visible in the far distance, stretching beyond the Kanto Plain.

 

The ruins of Sekiyado Castle.

 

Finally reached the diversion point of the two rivers. It appeared that the intake gate was managing the water levels, diverting excess water from the Edogawa into the main Tone River (利根川).

 

Regrettably, I ran out of time for Nakajima Park and the Sekiyado Museum today. I'll save them for next time.

 

 

Took a bus at Sekiyadodaimachi after another half-hour walk through the beautiful twilight.

 

On the way to the bus stop, stopped at Sekiyado Katori-jingu Shrine (香取神宮) to offer a prayer of thanks for the day.

 

 

 

 

左がコンデジ、右がスマホ。

スマホは鮮やかだが実際とは空気感が違う。細密なペンキ絵みたいなものか。Smartphone photos often look too vivid to be real. They almost look like paintings, and despite the high resolution, they fail to capture the true atmosphere of the scene.

Left: Nikon W150 Com-Disit

Right: iPhone SE 3G

 

三日目は美濃赤坂から米原の鳥居本宿を目指した。疲労の為、少し手前の醒井宿で切り上げて帰京。

Day 3: Planned to reach Toriimoto-juku, but called it a day at Samegai-juku due to fatigue. 

 

A well of potable water in front of JR Ogaki Station (大垣駅). Very nice. 

 

Resumed my walk from Mino-Akasaka Station at 6:30 AM.

 

Offered my morning prayer at Sengenjinja Shrine (浅間神社).

 

The Yabashi Family Residence (矢橋家住宅).

 

Kabutozuka (兜塚).

 

The Kawai Lime Industry (河合石灰工業) plant in the Hirui (昼飯) district.

 

The path descending to Aohaka post town (青墓宿).

 

Found intricate carvings on the building of Shirahige Shrine (白髭神社). Amazing!

 

 

 

The legend of Terutehime (照手姫) is more dramatic than a K-drama.

 

 

 

Mt. Ibuki (伊吹山) came into sight.

 

The rice paddies along the road were flooded and ready for planting.

 

The turbid water in the ditches also tells the season of rice planting.

 

Old street village of Aonocho (青野町).

 

Gorgeous natural stone signpost.

 

Entered Tarui post town (垂井宿). Mt. Ibuki, and carp streamers swimming over the Aikawa River (相川).

 

A former trading company building - another chapter of history along the route.

 

垂井曳山祭りに遭遇

Just encountered the moment the Hikiyama float emerges from its warehouse for the May festival.

 

Love to see a fast stream aside the road in mountain areas.

 

Baby wagons, guest furniture, and beds — the hopes of people in the Showa era.

 

From Deyashiki Crossing (出屋敷踏切), the route goes through the historical valley of Sekigahara (関ケ原).

 

Tarui milestone mound.

 

A beautiful sight to greet weary walkers at Nogami post town (野上宿).

 

The ruins of Fuwa-no-seki barrier gate (不破関) — its history traces back to the 7th century.

 

Crossing Fujiko River (藤古川) — crossing over an ancient battlefield.

 

A sign of community vitality, dedicated to a small Buddhist hall.

At Yasaki Jizo-do (箭先地蔵堂).

 

A historic well from 672, the year of the Jinshin War.

 

Beautiful street of Toge (藤下) village.

 

Enjoyed a valley water at Wakamiya-Hachimangu Shrine (若宮八幡宮).

 

This shrine sits high above the Tokaido Line railway, which runs parallel to the Nakasendo.

 

Refreshment to walkers at Yamanaka post town (山中宿).

 

Listened to the soothing sound of the Uguisunotaki Waterfall (鶯の滝).

 

A gentle slope leading the way to Imasu Pass (今須峠).

 

Yamanama Crossing with JR Tokaido Line.

 

The approach through the tunnel reveals the sacred garden of Myo-oji Temple (妙応寺).

 

The brick railway bridge creates a historic tunnel leading to the temple, setting a solemn atmosphere for the approach.

 

Crossing the border from Gifu into Shiga.

 

Terutehime Kasakake Jizo (照手姫笠掛地蔵).

 

A well in front of a Sake brewery in Kashiwabara post town (柏原宿).

 

Sophisticated streetscape of Kashiwabara post town.

 

A historical merchant of 'mogusa' (moxibustion incense), a local medical specialty.

 

Utilization structure of the valley water.

 

Kashiwabara milestone mound.

 

Saw rice planting in the fields of Uguisugahara (鶯が原).

 

Spotted a large 'suppon' (soft-shell turtle) in the Azusa River (梓川).

 

Busshinsui Well (仏心水) — clearly saw the letters carved into the inner wall.

 

Entered Samegai post town (醒井宿).

 

Kamojinja Shrine (加茂神社).

 

At the foot of Kamojinja, the abundant spring 'Isame-no-Shimizu (居醒の清水)' emerges.

 

The springs of Samegai post town merge into the Jizo River (地蔵川).

 

Another famous 'Juosui' spring (十王水).

 

Arrived at Samegai Station at 4:20 PM. Headed home.

 

鵜沼宿を朝6時に出発した。

Departed Unuma post town at 6 in the morning.

 

Unuma is a crossing point with the Tokai Nature Trail (東海自然歩道).

 

Saw a historic sake brewery still working. Began my walk in rain.

 

Stopped by Unuma Ninomiya Shrine (二ノ宮神社) and prayed for peace.

 

Crossed over the Meitetsu Line near Mikakino Station (三柿野駅).

 

各務原市民公園

Kagamigahara Citizen's Park is where Gifu University was formerly located.

 

Saw a big catfish here in the Noukawa (濃川) River.

 

名鉄各務原線と東海北陸道

Meitesu Kagamigahara Line and the Tokai-Hokurikudo Highway.

 

Walking towards the Central Gifu City (岐阜市).

 

伊勢道追分

Took the Nakasendo to the right, leaving the Isemichi path to the left.

 

It was a grand offertory box. Hosohata Hachimangu Shrine (細畑八幡宮).

 

ちゃじょという読み方が面白い。

The name "Chajo" (茶所) sounds unique and somehow cute.

 

名鉄名古屋本線茶所踏切

Chajo Crossing of the Meitetsu Line.

 

広井橋で清水川を渡る。

Hiroibashi Bridge over Shimizugawa River.

 

Crossed the street in front of JR Gifu Station. Expected a lunch spot there but couldn't find any along the Nakasendo.

 

Had a snack from my backpack at the foot of Goudobashi (河渡橋) Bridge, overlooking the Nagara River (長良川).

 

Wild roses on the riverbank.

 

The weather started to clear up.

 

A brilliant blue sky opened up over the traditional buildings.

 

Itonukigawa River (糸貫川).

 

Miejinja (美江神社) Shrine.

 

Scenery at Mieji post town. The historic Shingetsubashi Bridge and a tiny Buddhist chapel by the river.

 

In this area, life is quite close to the water's edge.

 

Watched a local student couple walk south after school, heading into the youthful landscape.

 

Crossed over the Ibigawa River (揖斐川).

 

馬渕家長屋門

The Mabuchi Family Gate: Former residence of the Edo-era ferry crossing administrators.

 

大垣輪中

Walked along the dike built to protect the local community from floods.

 

Stopped by Susanousha Shrine (素盛鳴社). It was fascinating to read the signboard describing the very local history of its construction.

 

もう珍しくなった田んぼの蓮華畑

Renge (Chinese milk vetch) flowers in the rice fields, a disappearing spring tradition in Japan.

 

側溝にはタニシがたくさんいた。

The roadside ditches were full of river snails.

 

A short walk across the walkers' bridge, and Akasaka post town (赤坂宿) is finally in sight.

 

The ruins of Akasaka River Port.

 

Mino Akasaka is still famous for its lime production today. I took a train to Ogaki, where I was staying for the night.


 

 

去年の5月の続きです。岐阜県の御嶽宿からスタート。

Arrived at Mitake post town last May. This is where I resumed my walk.

 

Shinkansen beakfast to Nagoya.

 

Nagoya to Mitake, by Meitetsu (名鉄) trains.

 

Arrived at Mitake Station (御嵩駅).

 

Weather cloudy.

 

A lot of historical spots along the road. Joyful.

 

Walking a rural stretch of the post towns.

 

Convenience store fried chicken has become an essential food supply.

 

The route joined the left bank of the Kiso River (木曽川).

 

Crossed the river at Ota-no-Watashi (太田の渡し), a historic ferry point on the Nakasendo.

 

Broad surface of the river.

 

Found some old boats left on the riverbank.

 

Crossed the bridge and continued along the Kiso River's right-side dike.

 

旧太田宿脇本陣林家住宅

The old Wakihonjin building of Ota post town was open to the public.

 

Grateful to share this tiny garden.

 

Continued my walk and saw the river gradually flowing into a valley.

 

The path led me into the Nihon Rhine Gorge (日本ライン).

 

Impressive to see such a wide river turn into a torrent between the rocks.

 

The JR Takayama Line (高山本線) runs through the same valley as my path.

 

The Nakasendo detours around the narrowest part of the valley by going over the Utou Pass (うとう峠).

 

うとう峠の一里塚

Passed by the milemounds of the Utou Pass.

 

Descending towards Unuma post town (鵜沼宿).

 

Inuyama Castle (犬山城) appeared straight ahead as the path descended.

 

Reached Unuma post town, today's destination.

 

Checked in and took a night walk around town. The rain made it a pretty long day.