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.
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.
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.
夏休みに高崎から街道歩きと清水峠越えで山小屋入り。
For my vacation, planned a walking trip from Gunma to Niigata along the Mikuni Kaido and Shimizu Pass.
Began from the point of Hashikuyo-to (橋供養塔) monument at Miyahara on the historic Nakasendo route.
Took a train at Miyahara station (宮原駅) at 5:44.
Arrived at Takasaki station (高崎駅).
The historic Mikuni Kaido route begins from this point.
Crossed the Shinetsu Honsen railroad.
Water break at Sachinomiya Shrine (幸宮神社).
I love seeing the gentle curves of the road with mulberry plants growing alongside.
Old stone signpost pointing the way.
Bright summer blooms cheering up weary travelers.
Cute.
Crossed the Ino River (井野川).
The brilliant white walls of old kura storehouses came into view.
Water break at Nakaizumi Keyaki Park (中泉けやき公園).
Left the Takasaki city area behind as the countryside opened up. Clear and fast stream of the Karasawa River (唐沢川).
The sun got high, so kept walking while looking for any bit of shade.
The historic gate at the ruins of Kaneko-juku (金古宿) Daikanjo (代官所跡).
Mt. Akagi (赤城山) seen far beyond the edamame fields.
Water break at Aonashi Suwa Jinja (青梨子諏訪神社).
Crossed the Go-ozu River.
Pausing to pray for peace at a gentle Jizo statue.
Spotted a cozy soba restaurant (そば処三国) surrounded by fresh green rice paddies.
The ridges of Mt. Akagi grew sharper with every mile walked.
Took a quick nap in the cool shade along the Takizawa River (滝沢川).
Resumed the walk across the plains, with the stunning panoramic views of Mt. Haruna (榛名山) and Mt. Akagi far in front of me.
Love seeing a beautiful water stream trickling down through the terraced rice fields.
Saw aside a stone guidepost standing at the fork toward Ikaho (伊香保).
Water supply at Kanai-Honjin Park (金井本陣児童公園).
The ruins of a temporary prison for laborers sent to the Sado Gold Mine during the Edo period.
Crossed the Agatsuma River (吾妻川).
Entered a slope to the Nakayama Pass (中山峠).
Old signpost at Kitamoku-juku (北牧宿) post town.
The slope climbs gently through a konjac field.
The sun set and made a camp in a bush. Bothered by mosquitoes.
Crossing on the way.
Regular observation at the Shin-mei-shita-bashi bridge (神明下橋).
The upstream.
From the farming area to the river bank.
Nishiberi channel (見沼代用水西縁) at Kawashimabashi bridge (川島橋).
On the way back.
