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.
