三国街道Day1 Walking the Historic Mikuni Kaido Road

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.

いつもの芝川 Shibakawa jogging, regular observation

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.

千葉の海 Summer vacation in Chiba

今年の夏休みは千葉の海へ

Surf fishing at sunset. The temperature is incredibly comfortable—hard to believe we're so close to Tokyo.

Fish caught in the evening.

Got more on the morning of Day 2. Excited.

Dinner plates. Made the shirogisu into sashimi and tempura. Bought some clams at a nearby supermarket.

In Day 3, visited the morning market in Katsuura (勝浦朝市).

Enjoyed a raw tuna bowl.

Scenery from the stairway to Tomisaki Jinja Shrine (遠見岬神社). Katsuura Port looked beautiful.

Got a lot of souvenirs. This miso paste really hit the spot for me.

芝川のオブジェ Sculpture emerged on the Shibakawa River

Saw a great cormorant making a pose as if a sculpture emerged on the Shibakawa River surface.

烏山サイクリング Cycling in Karasuyama, Tochigi Pref.

行きたいリストにあった烏山と茂木を結ぶルート。アユの天ぷらも。

A long-lasting item on my bucket list: cycling from Karasuyama Station to Motegi and treating myself to early-summer ayu (sweetfish) tempura.

烏山線はキハ40ではなくバッテリー電車になっていた。

The battery train at Utsunomiya Station bound for Karasuyama.

Needed to purchase a paper ticket to enter Karasuyama Line.

Arrived at Karasuyama.

The train began to charge.

Karasuyama Station.

Headed west to the hill and valley area.

Ryumon-no-taki (龍門の滝) waterfall.

Taiheiji  (太平寺) Temple.

Scenery from the hill.

Paddies in the valley.

Soba (buckwheat) fields on river terraces.

Wide river terrace.

Reached the Arakawa (荒川) River.

Bright graveyard on the hill.

Walked upstream along the Arakawa River.

Young rice plants blowing.

Due to a mechanical problem on my bike, decided to take a train at Kobana Station (小塙駅) to Karasuyama. Gave up the plan to Motegi.

Took a numbered ticket, just like on a bus.

Returned to Karasuyama Station, where I deposited my bicycle for a walk in a good old atmosphere.

Checked an item off my bucket list! Ayu tempura at Syogetsu-an (松月庵) restaurant.

After lunch, walked down to see the Naka River (那珂川).

Wide bank of the Naka River.

The river flows beyond the paddy fields.

Soba fields, too.

Crossing the River by Shimono-oh-hashi Bridge (下野大橋).

Kayaking in the best season.

The stone monument describes the place used to be a ferry point.

Spring water by the River, and interesting earth strata.

Wooden boat in use.

Crossed the bridge again to go back to the Karasuyama Station.

Saw a tube tunnel for kids, like in Doraemon.

Stone-built warehouse, used to serve logistics in history.

Got back to the Station with an iced coffee and some sweets from a nearby 7-11.