Koshu Kaido runs parallel to the Chuo Line for about 600 meters on the east side of Hatsugari Station. It is a gravel road, lined with trees, and is very relaxing to walk along. After the walk, I got on the Chuo Line and was deeply moved by the experience of walking there.
Otsuki-juku
Otsuki Station
The display at Otsuki Station was made of metal. It had a handmade feel, as if it had been made by hitting it with a mallet. Is it the work of an artist associated with Otsuki? The swallows perched on the word “moon” are cute.
The Koshu Kaido runs right outside of Otsuki Station.
Shimo Hanasaki-juku and Kami Hanaski-juku
Sasago River
This is a photo taken from the middle of the Otsuki IC and Otsuki JCT, looking northeast.
The name of the river is Sasago River. It is a tributary of the Katsura River. It joins the Katsura River just west of Otsuki Station.
The road crossing the river is the Otsuki IC ramp from the Chuo Expressway to the main road.
NEC Otsuki Business Office
NEC’s Otsuki Plant was located here. It’s a big building, so it stands out. This building always reminds me of a hovercraft. It looks like it could run like this, doesn’t it?
Maki River
This is the Maki River (or maybe the Enonogawa River) just before it joins the Sasago River.
There are cliffs on both sides. The topographic map shows that the cliffs continue all the way upstream, so I guess this area has a geological feature that is easily cut away.
Shimohatsukari-juku and Nakahatsukari-juku
About 500 meters after the confluence of the Sasago River and the Maki River, you will cross the Sasago River from north to south. You will also cross the Chuo Line and continue along the Chuo Line for a while.
Indication of “Blasting in progress”
In the midst of all this, a “Blasting in progress” sign appeared! I have a feeling that something dangerous is about to happen. But it means that you can get stone material. If you look into the geology, it might be connected to the story of the cliff.
Koshu Kaido continues along the Chuo Line
This is what the Koshu Kaido looks like as it follows the Chuo Line! No one else is walking there.
Sometimes people on the train look at me like, “Why are you walking like that? That’s because this is the Koshu Kaido.
Crushed stone plant
A crushed stone factory is being built on the slope.
But this slope was created over a long period of time by the Sasago River, which is not a big river. Once again, I am reminded of the amazing power of nature, which never tires of changing the topography.
View of the old Koshu Kaido road
It looks like I might be walking into a quarry, but there is a sign saying “Old Koshu Kaido,” so it seems safe to continue on.
The Seventh Koshu Kaido Crossing
Suddenly I was in a residential area. I crossed the Chuo Line again at the 7th Koshu Kaido crossing about 500 meters east of Hatsukari Station. The sun has already started to set.
Monument to the poet Dokyo Seigoin
After crossing the railroad crossing, I came across a monument to the high priest Dokyo Seigoin. I don’t know who he is, and I don’t know much about his poetry, but I would like to be able to read these old characters. Using the explanatory board and a dictionary, it seems to read as follows.
今ハとてか春（す）みを分てか遍（へ）るさ尓（に）お本（ぼ）つか那（な）しや者（は）つかりの里
”Imahatote kasumiwowakete kaherusani ohotukanasiya hatsukarinosato”
The year 1487, when this poem was written, was the Muromachi period (1336-1573), and this place has been called Hatsukari since that time.
Soon I reached Route 20.
The kilometer post read “100k1”. In other words, if I walked 100 meters toward Tokyo, there would be a kilometer post for 100 kilometers.
It’s rare to see such a nice kilometer post, so I walked 100 meters.
100km kilometer post
And then I found it: the 100km kilometer post. It was standing next to a field of leeks.
Shirano-juku and Amida-kaido-juku
Tateishi at Tateishi-zaka
At a point slightly closer to Sasago than the halfway point between Hatsugari and Sasago stations, I passed through the guard of the Chuo Line from south to north. At the dividing line, I saw a sign that said, “Legend: Tateishi-zaka no tateishi.”
But no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find a stone that looked like it anywhere. In the end, I gave up.
(Actually, it is said to be near the railroad tracks about 100 meters west of Route 20, without going through the guard.)
Kuronoda-juku
Sasago Tunnel Monument
In front of Sasago Station, there was a monument commemorating Sasago Tunnel.
The Sasago Tunnel is said to be a 4,656-meter tunnel that was started in 1896 and completed in six years.
Heavy machinery was not as advanced as it is today, so it must have been a very difficult construction.
The monument seems to have been moved from Maizuru Park near Kofu Station. Why was it located in Kofu in the first place?
Sasago Station
Sasago Station was a compact and well organized station.
The days are getting longer these days, but it’s almost dusk.
Walking data
Course：Otsuki Station (JR Chuo Line) -> Otsuki-juku -> Shimohanasaki-juku -> Kamihanasaki-juku -> Shimohatsukari-juku -> Nakahatsukari-juku -> Shirano-juku -> Amidakaido-juku -> Kuronoda-juku -> Sasago Station (JR Chuo Line)
Distance: 12.9km
Time: 2h48m
