Koshu Kaido Walk (18) Kanazawa – Kamisuwa: May 11, 2025

 

Today I walked from Kanazawa, the 44^th shukuba station from Tokyo (Edo), to Kamisuwa, the 45^th and last station of Koshu Kaido.

Kanazawa is close to Aoyagi Station on the JR Chuo Line. Old buildings remain here and there along the Koshu Kaido. I found traditional inns and trading stalls.

The road passes through mountainous areas. The rice fields in this area are used to dry agar in winter. Chino City is famous for producing naturally produced agar. There was a large sign reading "Agar Village" in the rice field. (See also the top photo)

 

I walked for about two hours and reached the center of Chino City. There was a Shinshu Miso store on the side of the road, and a miso barrel was placed in front of the store.

 

There are many shrines along the road. Even small shrines often have four pillars at each corner in this region. Miwa Shrine, close to the center of Chino, is also surrounded by four pillars.

 

The Kamisha (upper shrines) of Suwa Taisha are located in this area, and the Maemiya (front shrine) of the Kamisha is in Chino City. The main shrine of the Kamisha is in Suwa City.

During the Onbashira Festival, which is held once every six years, giant cedar trees cut down in the mountains are transported to the shrine. One route passes through Chino City. On the way, the pillars with many people on them go down a steep slope. The place of the big downhill is maintained in the Kiotoshi Park.

I found a torii gate leading to Suwa Taisha Shrine in front of JR Chino Railway station..

The Yatsugatake Mountains looked beautiful from Kamikawa Bridge near the Kiotoshi Park. 

 

 

After walking for about an hour from JR Chino Station, the Koshu Kaido entered Suwa City. The Northern Alps looked beautiful from the road.

 

I continued walking and entered Kamisuwa shukuba station. Kamisuwa is a major sake brewing area, and there are many sake breweries along the Koshu Kaido.

 

Koshu Kaido Walk (17) Tsutaki – Kanazawa: May 10, 2025

Having finished my walks in Tokyo, Kanagawa and Yamanashi prefectures, my Koshu Kaido walk entered Nagano prefecture. Today I walked from Tsutaki, the southernmost shukuba station in Nagano prefecture and the 43rd shukuba from Tokyo (Edo), to Kanazawa, the 44th station. The distance is about 15 kilometers, and most of the area is in Fujimi-machi, Nagano prefecture.

The Koshu Kaido headed north-northwest through mountainous areas. The site of Tsutaki is now around National Route 20. 

The gate and walls of the main inn remain. The railroad was installed away from the Koshu Kaido in this area, and the shukuba became gradually quieter. 

 

The Koshu Kaido has turned to the national highway in some places and has kept old situation in other places. Stone Buddha were seen at various points along the road. (See als the 2nd photo)

 

After walking for about two hours, I came across a huge solar power generation facility along the road. Fujimi-machi is known as one of solar-panel clusters in Japan. They started to construct many solar power plants in the 2010s due to its long hours of sunlight in this region. There are now more than 1,000 solar power plants, both large and small.

In recent years, however, there have been disputes over the development of the plants as various conflicts between the developers and local residents have arisen. The town has begun to regulate construction.

In addition, there have been a series of incidents of copper cable theft from solar power plants nationwide. Surveillance cameras have been installed at the plants, and warning signs saying "under surveillance" were posted on the fences. (see also the 4th photo)

As I walked further, I saw a huge greenhouse. This is the facility of the "Yatsugatake Mirai Farm," which is funded by the major food company Kagome and Fujimi-machi. Tomatoes are produced here and sent to Kagome's neighboring food factories.

 

After walking another hour, we came to the Misayama Godo Milestone. It is the 48th or 49th milestone from Edo, which is 192-196 km away. A large keyaki (zelkova) tree remains on the west side from the Edo period, and an enoki (Chinese hackberry) was planted on the east side in later years. This is the only place on the Koshu Kaido where a pair of mounds remain on both sides of the road. (See also the top photo)

 

The Koshu Kaido soon enters Chino City. There are many solar power plants in this area as well. JR Aoyagi Station is located just before Kanazawa shukuba station.

Shimosuwa: May 10, 2025

I visited Shimosuwa for the first time in eight years. (article in May, 2016) On my last visit, I enjoyed walking along the Nakasendo and had the opportunity to see the Onbashira Festival. This time, I stayed there as a base for walking along the Koshu Kaido. 

Shimosuwa is a town with rich history.

There are four shrines in total at Suwa Taisha (Suwa Grand Shrine). The two shrines of Kamisha -- main shrine and front shrine -- are located on the south (southeast) side of Lake Suwa; the two shrines of Shimosha – Harumiya (the spring shrine) and Akimiya (the autumn shrine) -- are located in Shimosuwa Town, which lies on the north side of Lake Suwa. This time I visited Akimiya (the autumn shrine).

As I visited the shrine on a Saturday morning, there were not many visitors and the site was quiet. Shrine maidens were sweeping the grounds.

There are buildings such as the Kaguraden and the Heihaiden. The Kaguraden was decorated with a huge shimenawa rope, and two lion dogs were guarding the building.

 

Pillars made of giant cedar trees are erected at the four corners of the Heihaiden. The pillars are called Onbashira and are replaced every six years. Giant trees are cut down in the mountains and are transported into the shrines. This ceremony is called the Onbashira Festival and is a famous traditional event in Suwa. ( I saw it eight years ago as described above)

 

Thethere was a shukuba station town in front of Akimiya developed in the Edo era. Now it is lined with hot spring inns and souvenir shops.

The main inn of the shukuba station in the Edo era is preserved.

Hot springs gushed out from many places along the road.

 

Horse Show @ Equestrian Park: May 3-5, 2025

 

Japan had a Golden Week holiday season from the end of April to the beginning of May. I stayed in Tokyo and went to see the horse show at Baji (Equestrian) Park in Setagaya, western Tokyo.

 

The park was where the equestrian competitions for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games were held. Show jumping competitions, dressage competitions, dressage demonstrations, reprises, horse riding experiences for children, and other events were held over the three days from Many 3^rd to May 5^th.

 

Equestrianism has become more popular since Japan's eventing team won a bronze medal at last year's Paris Olympics. Many people visited the site to see the event, and on the final day, several thousand spectators gathered.

 

Top Japanese athletes, including an Olympic bronze medalist, participated in the jumping competitions. The audience cheered loudly at the impressive jumps.

 

The photo shows a rehearsal of the reprise by the Metropolitan Police Department's cavalry. It's surprising that some of them have been doing horse riding for only three years.

 

There were many stalls and kitchen cars at the venue. There were also many visitors with children. I enjoyed many aspects of the event.

Setagaya Line： April 30-May 1, 2025

 

The Setagaya Line is a short railway line with a total length of 5.0 km。The line runs through Setagaya City, western Tokyo. It mainly runs through residential areas and has 10 stations. The trains have only two-cars, that brings us nostalgic atmosphere.

The Setagaya Line will celebrate its 100th anniversary on May, 2025 since its fully open in 1925.

To mark the 100th anniversary, some trains are running with commemorative plates in this period. 

The most popular train is one with cat illustrations. There are also cat paw prints painted inside the train.

 

People were waiting for the train to pass in front of a small railroad crossing.

The average number of passengers per day is about 50,000. People use the line for commuting to work, school, shopping, etc.

The line is one of the most striking sights in Setagaya City.

Seasonal flowers & fresh green: April 12-16, 2025

 

 

The cherry blossoms are almost over, and the season is turning from late spring to early summer in Tokyo.

During my walks in western Tokyo, I find various seasonal flowers as well as new green leaves in many places.

 

Tulips and rapeseed flower were in full bloom on April 12nd in the flowerbeds in Roka Park, Setagaya City. Primary colors such as yellow and red stood out.

 

I also saw late-blooming cherry blossoms in the park.

 

Azaleas were beginning to bloom in Hanagi Park on April 16th.

 

New green leaves were beginning to sprout on the ginkgo and other trees in the park.

 

New leaves were growing on tulip trees on the nearby walking paths.

It was fine weather today, and the temperature went up to 23°C.