Home > SAITAMA 埼玉県

Last additions - SAITAMA 埼玉県
ok254j-20231103_0346.jpg
Members of the Princess Kazunomiya procession are introduced on stage at around 2 pm. The procession ends at around 3 pm at Kido-ato (木戸跡). Thanks to A. Shimamura for these photos.Nov 21, 2023
ok254i-20231103_0345.jpg
About halfway on the procession route, they stop at a parking lot where there's a stage. Here's Princess Kazunomiya played by a local lady.Nov 21, 2023
ok254h-20231103_0344.jpg
Princess Kazunomiya on her palanquin in Okegawa-juku. The procession route is on the Nakasendo Road from Okegawa Elementary School to Kido-ato. Nov 21, 2023
ok254g-20231103_0343.jpg
Princess Kazunomiya's palanquin in the procession during the Okegawa Shimin Matsuri (桶川市民まつり) on Nov. 3 (national holiday).. Her real palanquin had no wheels and she was carried by hand. 皇女和宮行列Nov 21, 2023
ok254d-20231103_0302.jpg
The procession route is on the old Nakasendo Road (closed to traffic) starting at 1:30 pm at Okegawa Elementary School. Here's Princess Kazunomiya's banner in front of her palanquin.Nov 21, 2023
ok254f-20231103_0303.jpg
Princess Kazunomiya's palanquin carried on wheels by four guards. The festival is held from 9 am to 4:30 pm. The Nakasendo is closed to traffic and has food stalls.Nov 21, 2023
ok254c-20231103_0300.jpg
The most famous VIP to stay in Okegawa was an emperor's daughter named Princess Kazunomiya (1846–1877) when she was traveling from Kyoto to Tokyo to marry shogun Tokugawa Iemochi.She lodged in Okegawa on Nov. 13, 1861 and her entourage numbered over 30,000. 皇女和宮行列Nov 21, 2023
ok254d-20231103_0301.jpg
Okegawa holds an annual autumn festival called Okegawa Shimin Matsuri (桶川市民まつり) on Nov. 3 (national holiday) when they reenact Princess Kazunomiya's procession traveling through Okegawa-juku.The procession includes women holding safflowers and these chigo festival children.Nov 21, 2023
ku091-kitaurawaawaOdori.youtube
My YouTube video (three parts) of the 2009 Kita-Urawa Awa Odori dance festival held on September 5, 2009.Oct 13, 2023
ku090-kitaurawaawaOdori.youtube
My YouTube video of the 2023 Kita-Urawa Awa Odori dance festival held on Sept. 30, 2023.Oct 13, 2023
mk190-MinamiKoshigayaAwaOdori.youtube
My YouTube video of the 2023 Minami-Koshigaya Awa Odori dance festival.Sep 02, 2023
kt529c-20230429_1601.JPG
Mini strawberries. Hardly any flavor.May 25, 2023
kt509c-20230429_1612.JPG
In front of the Saitama Nature Study Center is china root or Smilax china. サルトリイバラMay 25, 2023
kt523c-20230429_1582.JPG
Small edible fruit of this flowering plant. Lonicera gracilipes Miq. var. gracilipes ヤマウグイスカグラ(山鶯神楽) May 25, 2023
kt533-20230429_1525.JPG
Kitamoto has other walking trails. Looks pretty during cherry blossom season.May 23, 2023
kt532-20230429_1611.jpg
Evergreen tree named Castanopsis. Leaves are green on the top, but brown on the underside. Produces acorns. スダジイ(すだ椎 Castanopsis sieboldii subsp. sieboldii)May 23, 2023
kt530-20230429_1605.jpg
Mulberry tree whose bark is used to make washi paper.May 23, 2023
kt531-20230429_1609.jpg
Evergreen tree named Castanopsis. Leaves are green on the top, but brown on the underside. Produces acorns. スダジイ(すだ椎 Castanopsis sieboldii subsp. sieboldii)May 23, 2023
kt528-20230429_1596.jpg
Our guide showed us how to create a wind instrument using wild leaves like this. Roll it up into a cylinder and blow.May 23, 2023
kt529-20230429_1592.jpg
Making sounds with a leaf. Loud, piercing sound. May 23, 2023
kt527-20230429_1597.jpg
Dainty flower.May 23, 2023
kt526-20230429_1598.jpg
Nice boardwalk across the marsh where we could see and observe birds and water plants. Our guide brought a binoculars which we used to spot bird nests.May 23, 2023
kt524-20230429_1583.jpg
Endangered flower species named golden orchid. Vulnerable (VU). キンラン(金蘭)May 23, 2023
kt525-20230429_1584.jpg
Endangered flower species named golden orchid. Status is "Vulnerable (VU)." キンラン(金蘭)May 23, 2023
kt522-20230429_1578.jpg
Nature trail.May 23, 2023
kt523-20230429_1579.jpg
May 23, 2023
kt520-20230429_1575.jpg
Not allowed to pick any plants.May 23, 2023
kt521-20230429_1574.jpg
Giant dogwood flowers. ミズキ(Mizuki)May 23, 2023
kt519-20230429_1577.jpg
Giant dogwood is nicknamed "Wedding Cake Tree" due to the multi-tiered trunk and branches. ミズキ(Mizuki)May 23, 2023
kt518-20230429_1571.jpg
Giant dogwood is a tall flowering plant. ミズキMay 23, 2023
kt516-20230429_1565.jpg
Marshland and reeds provide habitats for nesting birds. We saw Little Grebes nesting here.May 23, 2023
kt517-20230429_1558.jpg
Heron.May 23, 2023
kt515-20230429_1555.jpg
May 23, 2023
kt514-20230429_1560.jpg
Boardwalk and reeds where birds and fish can live.May 23, 2023
kt513-20230429_1554.jpg
May 23, 2023
kt512-20230429_1551.jpg
Boardwalk across the marsh.May 23, 2023
kt510-20230429_1546.jpg
Guided tour of the park. About an hour long.May 23, 2023
kt511-20230429_1549.jpg
May 23, 2023
kt509-20230429_1540.jpg
Chinese peacock butterfly. カラスアゲハMay 23, 2023
kt508-20230429_1538.jpg
Northern goshawk, juvenile.May 23, 2023
kt507-20230429_1536.jpg
Raccoon, fox, and weasel.May 23, 2023
kt506-20230429_1535.jpg
Stuffed wild animals in Saitama Nature Study Center.May 23, 2023
kt505-20230429_1534.jpg
Inside Saitama Nature Study Center with nature exhibits.May 23, 2023
kt504-20230429_1532.jpg
Saitama Nature Study Center is a visitor's center with park staff, park maps, a small library, nature exhibits, meeting rooms, and park offices. Open 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. (Till 7:30 pm on weekends and national holidays.) Guided tours start inside.May 23, 2023
kt503-20230429_1529.jpg
Free guided tours cover only a small part of the park. If you want to explore the entire park, go on your own. The park opened in July 1992 by Saitama Prefecture.May 23, 2023
kt502-20230429_1530.jpg
Events and free guided park tours on weekends at 2 pm for 1 hour. (No English.) Website: https://www.saitama-shizen.info/May 23, 2023
kt500-20230429_1528.jpg
Kitamoto Nature Observation Park is spread over 26.7 hectares and home to a variety of plants and animals, including over 1,700 species of insects and 160 species of wild birds. Lots of marshland where birds can nest. Walking paths are provided for visitors. The park includes a nature study center, a library, and guided tours on weekends.May 23, 2023
kt501-20230429_1616.jpg
Park entrance. The park is open to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (until 7:30 pm on weekends and mid-summer.) Closed Mon. unless it's a national holiday. Free admission. Parking available. 15 min. by bus from JR Kitamoto Station (JR Takasaki LineAddress: 5-200 Arai, Kitamoto, Saitama
埼玉県北本市荒井5-200
埼玉県自然学習センター
May 23, 2023
en247-20230429_1710.jpg
Strawberry Candle flowers. Pretty name. People were allowed to pick these flowers and take it home.May 16, 2023
en246-20230429_1707.jpg
May 16, 2023
en245-2023-04-29-1698.jpg
Rapeseed blossoms (nanohana) were made into a maze.May 16, 2023
en244-20230429_1698.jpg
Rapeseed blossoms (nanohana) in late April.May 16, 2023
en242-20230429_1694.jpg
Nemophila (baby blue eyes) in late April.May 16, 2023
en243-20230429_1695.jpg
Nemophila (baby blue eyes).May 16, 2023
en240-20230429_1693.jpg
The dairy farm's backyard has Arakawa River.May 16, 2023
en241-20230429_1696.jpg
Behind Enomoto Dairy Farm is Arakawa River and this cycling road lined with spring flowers.May 16, 2023
en239-20230429_1682.jpg
Way to the riverside flowers blooming in April to May.May 16, 2023
en238-20230429_1720.jpg
Cows and hay.May 16, 2023
en237-20230429_1683.jpg
Rolls of hay wrapped in vinyl.May 16, 2023
en236-2023-04-29-1716.jpg
This machine quickly spins the hay roll as it wraps it with vinyl.May 16, 2023
en235-20230429_1690.jpg
May 16, 2023
en234-20230429_1688.jpg
Rolls of hay. ロール置き場May 16, 2023
en233-20230429_1716.jpg
Hay for cows.May 16, 2023
en232-20230429_1620.jpg
Calf in the pasture. 放牧場May 16, 2023
en231-20230429_1618.jpg
Barbecue area on the left.May 16, 2023
en230-20230429_1644.jpg
Chickens and other birds.May 16, 2023
en229-20230429_1642.jpg
Marmot that you can pet. Be sure to wash or disinfect your hands afterward.May 16, 2023
en228-20230429_1645.jpg
Rabbit with drooping ears.May 16, 2023
en226-20230429_1656.jpg
Posters explaining the work done at the dairy farm, anatomy of a cow, and the life cycle of cows. At the dairy farm, cows are fed, cow shed is cleaned, hay is made, and cows are milked.May 16, 2023
en227-20230429_1658.jpg
Types of cows. The cow's excrement and urine are converted into fertilizer for growing vegetables, etc.May 16, 2023
en225-20230429_1655.jpg
How milk is produced. 1. The cow's udders are disinfected. 2. The milking machine sucks out the milk to a pipe going to a tank. 3. The milk is cooled. 4. The milk is transported by tanker truck to the factory where it is processed and packaged into mMay 16, 2023
en224-20230429_1657.jpg
Explanation of the work done at a dairy farm. On weekends, you can pay a fee (¥2200) to try and milk a cow manually and feed some hay. Reservations required. at least two days in advance.May 16, 2023
en223-20230429_1662.jpg
However, I noticed that the cow kept moving and couldn't stand still, so the machine had to keep trying until it attached to the nipples.May 16, 2023
en222-20230429_1661.jpg
The milking machine uses red light beams and sensors to detect the nipples and attach the milking tubes. May 16, 2023
en221-20230429_1664.jpg
Milking machine is a robot operating 24/7. Each cow produces 20 to 30 kg of milk per day. 授乳所May 16, 2023
en220-20230429_1650.jpg
The adult cow she has this milking station where the cows are automatically directed to the milking machine. 授乳所May 16, 2023
en219-20230429_1652.jpg
May 16, 2023
en218-20230429_1651.jpg
Adult male cows. 成牛舎May 16, 2023
en217-20230429_1668.jpg
On the left is the shed for adult cows. 成牛舎May 16, 2023
en216-20230429_1647.jpg
Kids' play area with donated tricycles, etc.May 16, 2023
en214-20230429_1649.jpg
This big cow just stared at me without blinking. May 16, 2023
en215-20230429_1638.jpg
Cow feed.May 16, 2023
en212-20230429_1637.jpg
Each cow/calf has an electronic tag for management purposes.May 16, 2023
en213-20230429_1633.jpg
These adult cows will give birth soon. Do not feed any of the cows or animals. They are already well fed.May 16, 2023
en211-20230429_1634.jpg
These cows are 6 to 14 months old. At 14 months, they move to the adult cow shed for artificial insemination. The farm has 60 to 70 Holstein cows for milk.May 16, 2023
en210-20230429_1629.jpg
Newborn calves. They have tags indicating their birthdate.May 16, 2023
en209-20230429_1628.jpg
The cow shed also has many calves born recently. They first weigh 40 to 50 kg and reach adulthood in 2.5 years when they weigh up to 700 kg.May 16, 2023
en208-20230429_1640.jpg
The shed also has pigs. These are mini pigs, not baby piglets. You can touch them. The fur is stiff like a hard brush. After touching, wash your hands.May 16, 2023
en207-20230429_1627.jpg
The calf shed is where calves and cows are raised until they reach adulthood.May 16, 2023
en206-20230429_1681.jpg
The calf shed is where newborn calves are raised. 育成舎May 16, 2023
en205-20230429_1674.jpg
Enomoto Dairy Farm yogurt is made of real milk. No preservatives. Website: http://www.enoboku.com/From Ageo Station west exit, take the local bus to the Azeyoshi bus stop. Takes 30 min. Most people come by car or bicycle. Address: 736-1 Azeyoshi, Ageo, Saitama
埼玉県上尾市畔吉736-1
May 16, 2023
en204-20230429_1672.jpg
Milk-flavored gelato. So yummy! Eat it quickly because it melts super fast. Other flavors include matcha, strawberry, and chocolate. Comes in a cone or cup.May 16, 2023
en203-20230429_1670.jpg
Gelato flavors and pricing. ¥400 for single scoop. Get the double and try two different flavors.May 16, 2023
en202-20230429_1680.jpg
This is the gelato stand. Long line of people on weekends and holidays. There are a few chairs inside, but most people eat outside. Open 9:30 am to 5 pm. Closed Jan. 1st–3rd. アイス売店Enomoto Dairy Farm (Enomoto Bokujo) is nicknamed "Enoboku."
Website: http://www.enoboku.com/
May 16, 2023
en200-20230429_1617.jpg
Enomoto Dairy Farm is a real dairy farm with cows and calves to produce dairy products. Their gelato is super popular and really good. Educational for kids to see live cows, what they eat, how they are milked (by machine), and where milk comes from. May 16, 2023
en201-20230429_1665.jpg
Map of Enomoto Dairy Farm. Free admission. Parking available. There's a small pasture for cows, cow shed, milking machine, and gelato stand. Being next to Arakawa River, it's a popular rest stop among cyclists riding along the river. Nicknamed "Little Hokkaido."May 16, 2023
mb210c-20230128_8824.jpg
Soka's manhole depicts Hyakutai-bashi (百代橋) and Soka-Matsubara pine trees in Soka, Saitama. "Hyakutai" (Eternity) comes from Basho's Oku-no-Hosomichi poetry collection.Mar 11, 2023
sk741-20230128_8919.jpg
Model of AKOS shopping complex in front of Soka Station.Mar 10, 2023
sk740-20230128_8918.jpg
Soka Station history.Mar 10, 2023
sk701-20230128_8913.jpg
Push button phone widely used in Japan until the early 1990s.Mar 10, 2023
sk700-20230128_8912.jpg
Pink pay phone in Japan. Now obsolete. Took only ¥10 coins.Mar 10, 2023
sk699-20230128_8914t.jpg
Old telephone still widely used in Japan until the 1980s.Mar 10, 2023
sk698-20230128_8899.jpg
Old telephone.Mar 10, 2023
sk697-20230128_8917.jpg
Old telephone from 1931. Soka started telephone service in 1918. Only 60 phone numbers at first. By 1953, 431 people had a telephone number.デルビル磁石式壁掛電話機Mar 10, 2023
sk696-20230128_8927.jpg
Army helmetMar 10, 2023
sk695-20230128_8924.jpg
Japanese soldier's bag and boots from 1930s.Mar 10, 2023
sk694-20230128_8921.jpg
Japanese soldiers returning from the war gave these gifts to their well-wishers. From the 1930s. These are ceremonial sake cups. 兵隊盃Mar 10, 2023
sk693-20230128_8925.jpg
About Heihachiro Okawa.Mar 10, 2023
sk692-20230128_8920a.jpg
Movie actor from Soka named Okawa Heihachiro (1905–1971) (aka Henry Okawa) who made it to Hollywood. He was in "The Bridge on the River Kwai" movie. 大川 平八郎Mar 10, 2023
sk691-20230128_8903.jpg
History of the museum/school.Mar 10, 2023
sk690-20230128_8856.jpg
History of the museum/school.Mar 10, 2023
sk689-20230128_8902.jpg
Soka Elementary School was built in 1926. Two-story, ferro-concrete building with six classrooms. Architect was Soka-native Okawa Isamu who even attended Soka Elementary School (right photo)..Mar 10, 2023
sk688-20230128_8904.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
sk687-20230128_8900.jpg
Former classroom used as a meeting room.Mar 10, 2023
sk686-20230128_8908.jpg
2nd floor hallway.Mar 10, 2023
sk685-20230128_8898.jpg
On the 2nd floor, Hinamatsuri Girl's Day dolls.Mar 10, 2023
sk684-20230128_8896.jpg
On the 2nd floor, Hinamatsuri Girl's Day dolls.Mar 10, 2023
sk683-20230128_8894.jpg
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit.Mar 10, 2023
sk682-20230128_8893.jpg
On the 2nd floor, Hinamatsuri Girl's Day dolls.Mar 10, 2023
sk681-20230128_8892.jpg
On the 2nd floor, Hinamatsuri Girl's Day dolls.Mar 10, 2023
sk680-20230128_8895.jpg
On the 2nd floor, Hinamatsuri Girl's Day dolls.Mar 10, 2023
sk679-20230128_8891.jpg
On the 2nd floor, Hinamatsuri Girl's Day dolls.Mar 10, 2023
sk678-20230128_8890.jpg
Leather footwear and yukata kimono are also made in Soka.Mar 10, 2023
sk677-20230128_8887.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
sk676-20230128_8889.jpg
Senbei production equipment for roasting and drying.Mar 10, 2023
sk675-20230128_8888.jpg
Senbei production equipment.Mar 10, 2023
sk674-20230128_8886.jpg
Senbei production equipment for mochi pounding.Mar 10, 2023
sk673-20230128_8884.jpg
Factory equipmentMar 10, 2023
sk672-20230128_8881.jpg
About Emperor Meiji's visit to Soka in 1876 and 1881 when he was traveling to Tohoku or Hokkaido.Mar 10, 2023
sk671-20230128_8874.jpg
Basho and Kawai Sora visited Soka-juku on March 27, 1689.Mar 10, 2023
sk670-20230128_8873.jpg
Replica scroll painting of Matsu Basho and Kawai Sora who visited Soka in 1689.Mar 10, 2023
sk669-20230128_8871.jpg
Documents related to traveling on the Nikko Kaido.Mar 10, 2023
sk668-20230128_8870.jpg
A few implements from the Okawa Honjin lodge.Mar 10, 2023
sk667-20230128_8866.jpg
About the ancient dugout canoe excavated from Ayase River in 1929.Mar 10, 2023
sk666-20230128_8864.jpg
About the dugout canoe from 5,300 years ago.Mar 10, 2023
sk665-20230128_8867.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
sk664-20230128_8868.jpg
Remains of an ancient dugout canoe excavated from Ayase River in 1929.Mar 10, 2023
sk663-20230128_8862.jpg
Ancient pottery found in Soka.Mar 10, 2023
sk662-20230128_8880.jpg
Scale model of the Okawa Honjin lodge in Soka-juku.Mar 10, 2023
sk499-20230128_8878.jpg
Following Senju-juku (Adachi Ward, Tokyo), Soka-juku was the second post town on the old Nikko Kaido Road from Tokyo (Nihonbashi) to Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture. However, no original buildings from Soka-juku remain. Part of the Nikko Kaido road remains, and a few monuments mark the location of the Honjin VIP lodges and road marker. This is a scale model of Soka-juku displayed in the local history museum.Mar 10, 2023
sk660-20230128_8875.jpg
Scale model of Soka-juku post town along the Nikko Kaido. The red tag on the lower left is where the folk history museum is.Mar 10, 2023
sk659-20230128_8861.jpg
First floor exhibition room.Mar 10, 2023
sk658-20230128_8860.jpg
First floor exhibition room displays old farming equipment.Mar 10, 2023
sk657-20230128_8859.jpg
First floor hallway.Mar 10, 2023
sk656-20230128_8858a.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
sk655-20230128_8857.jpg
Museum hallway looks like a school hallway. When you enter the museum, they want you to sign your name on the reception sheet.Mar 10, 2023
sk654-20230128_8930.jpg
Floor layout on the 1st and 2nd floors. The old classrooms are now exhibition rooms for local history and artifacts.Mar 10, 2023
sk653-20230128_8855.jpg
Soka folk history museum entrance. Free admission.Mar 10, 2023
sk652-20230128_8847.jpg
Soka folk history museum. 草加 歴史民俗資料館Mar 10, 2023
sk651-20230128_8851.jpg
Soka folk history museum used to be Soka Elementary School built in 1926. New school buildings were built to replace this old building which opened in 1983 as a local history museum.Mar 10, 2023
sk650-20230128_8848.jpg
Soka folk history museum is near the old Nikko Kaido. 歴史民俗資料館Mar 10, 2023
sk585-20230128_8843.jpg
Original road marker in Soka-shuku, Saitama on the Nikko Kaido. 道標元標Mar 10, 2023
sk584-20230128_8841.jpg
Original road marker reinforced with steel. Rare remnant of Soka-juku on the Nikko Kaido. 道標元標Mar 10, 2023
sk583-20230128_8839.jpg
Original road marker in Soka-shuku, Saitama on the Nikko Kaido. 道標元標Mar 10, 2023
sk582-20230128_8835.jpg
Okawa Honjin lodge monument in Soka-juku, Nikko Kaido Road. There was also another Honjin in Soka-juku. 大川本陣跡碑Mar 10, 2023
sk581-20230128_8833.jpg
Honjin lodge monument in Soka-juku, Nikko Kaido Road. 大川本陣跡碑Mar 10, 2023
sk580-20230128_8830.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
sk579-20230128_8829.jpg
What the old Nikko Kaido Road looks like today.Mar 10, 2023
sk578-20230128_8821.jpg
About Tofukuji's bell tower.Mar 10, 2023
sk577-20230128_8814.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
sk576-20230128_8822.jpg
Tofukuji's bell tower dragon wood carvings. Mar 10, 2023
sk575-20230128_8813.jpg
Tofukuji Temple in Soka, Saitama.Mar 10, 2023
sk574-20230128_8815.jpg
Tofukuji's bell tower is noted for wood carvings. Mar 10, 2023
sk573-20230128_8816.jpg
Tofukuji's bell tower.Mar 10, 2023
sk572-20230128_8811.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
sk571-20230128_8812.jpg
About Tofukuji Temple Hondo main hall wood carvings. Mar 10, 2023
sk570-20230128_8823.jpg
Tofukuji Temple Hondo main hall in Soka, Saitama. The temple is noted for wood carvings on this main hall. (Not to be confused with other temples named "Tofukuji.") 東福寺Mar 10, 2023
sk569-20230128_8819.jpg
Tofukuji Temple was first built in 1606 by Okawa Zusho who once served the Hojo Clan in Odawara, Kanagawa.Mar 10, 2023
sk568-20230128_8810.jpg
Tofukuji Temple gate.Mar 10, 2023
sk567-20230128_8809.jpg
Way to Tofukuji Temple.Mar 10, 2023
sk512-20230128_8807.jpg
What the old Nikko Kaido looks like today. Nikko Kaido was one of the five main roads from Edo (Tokyo) during the Edo Period (17th to 19h centuries). Nikko was important for having the splendid mausoleum for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun.Mar 10, 2023
sk511-20230128_8806.jpg
I think this is a bus stop on the Nikko Kaido.Mar 10, 2023
sk510-20230128_8825.jpg
Soka senbei rice cracker. ¥90Mar 10, 2023
sk509-20230128_8827.jpg
Another Soka senbei shop. There are over 60 senbei shops in Soka.Mar 10, 2023
sk508-20230128_8805.jpg
Soka senbei shop on the old Nikko Kido Road.Mar 10, 2023
sk506-20230128_8801.jpg
Shinmei Shrine 神明神社Mar 10, 2023
sk507-20230128_8804.jpg
Soka-juku Shinmei-an tourist info center closed on March 21, 2022. The staff moved to the tourist info center near the Basho statue in Fudaba-kashi Park. 草加宿神明庵Mar 10, 2023
sk505-20230128_8787.jpg
How to make Soka senbei rice crackers. At least 10 steps.Mar 10, 2023
sk504-20230128_8783.jpg
Soka senbei rice cracker birthplace monument in Osen Park, Soka, Saitama. Soka was a rice-growing area and farmers first made rice crackers as a snack. They were later sold to travelers when Soka-juku was established and became a cottage industry. They also used soy sauce from Noda. 草加せんべい発祥の地の碑Mar 10, 2023
sk502-20230128_8797.jpg
Sora Kawai traveled with Haiku poet Matsuo Basho for most of Basho's Oku-no-Hosomichi poetry journey on foot to Tohoku and Hokuriku Regions in 1689.Mar 10, 2023
sk503-20230128_8791.jpg
Catfish sculpture on a small office building in Soka, Saitama.Mar 10, 2023
sk501-20230128_8794.jpg
Statue of Kawai Sora, Matsuo Basho's apprentice and travel companion for Oku-no-Hosomichi. This statue is at the intersection leading to the old Nikko Kaido Road. It's across the bridge from the Basho statue at the watchtower.Mar 10, 2023
sk500-20230128_8793.jpg
Statue of Kawai Sora (河合曾良), Matsuo Basho's travel companion for his Oku-no-Hosomichi five-month journey on foot to Tohoku and Hokuriku Regions. Statue built in 2008 to mark Soka's 50th anniversary.Mar 10, 2023
mb355-20230128_8779s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb354-20230128_8780s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb353-20230128_8777s.jpg
Bridge to Osen Park.Mar 10, 2023
mb352-20230128_8745s.jpg
Near the watchtower is Soka-juku Basho-an, a visitor information center.Mar 10, 2023
mb351-20230128_8750s.jpg
About the watchtower and Soka post town.Mar 10, 2023
mb350-20230128_8738s.jpg
Map of Soka-Matsubara and Soka-juku post town, short walk away.Mar 10, 2023
mb349-20230128_8748s.jpg
Post towns along the Nikko Kaido Road to Nikko.Mar 10, 2023
mb348-20230128_8769s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb347-20230128_8763s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb346-20230128_8762s.jpg
Views from the watchtower.Mar 10, 2023
mb345-20230128_8764s.jpg
Top floor and lookout atop the watchtower.Mar 10, 2023
mb344-20230128_8760s.jpg
Spiral steps up the wooden watchtower.Mar 10, 2023
mb343-20230128_8773s.jpg
Old map of Soka-juku post town.Mar 10, 2023
mb342-20230128_8756s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb340-20230128_8776s.jpg
Watchtower is free and open to the public.Mar 10, 2023
mb341-20230128_8754s.jpg
First floor of watchtower has a few exhibits explaining about Soka-Matsubara and Soka-juku post town.Mar 10, 2023
mb338-20230128_8734s.jpg
Fudaba-kashi Park on the southern end of Soka-Matsubara also has this rebuilt watchtower. Mar 10, 2023
mb339-20230128_8746s.jpg
Watchtower on the southern end of Soka-Matsubara. 望楼Mar 10, 2023
mb336-20230128_8774s.jpg
Statue of Matsuo Basho at the southern end of Soka Matsubara pine tree path in Fudaba-kashi Park. Created by Tadahiko Mugikura (麦倉忠彦), a Soka-native sculptor. He also made the Kawai Sora sculpture nearby in 2008.Mar 10, 2023
mb337-20230128_8736s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb335-20230128_8731s.jpg
Statue of Matsuo Basho at the southern end of Soka-Matsubara, Saitama. Depicts him looking at his well-wishers in Tokyo (Edo) as he departed for his Oku-no-Hosomichi trip. Mar 10, 2023
mb334-20230128_8729s.jpg
Statue of Matsuo Basho in Fudaba-kashi Park on the southern end of Soka-Matsubara. Statue was built in 1989 to mark the 300th anniversary of Basho's Oku-no-Hosomichi journey in 1689. Built with donations.Mar 10, 2023
mb333-20230128_8727s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb332-20230128_8724s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb331-20230128_8723s.jpg
The southern end of Soka-Matsubara has Fudaba-kashi Park with cherry blossom trees and tourist information center. 札場河岸公園Mar 10, 2023
mb330-20230128_8717s.jpg
Nikko Kaido Road monument. Nikko Kaido was one of the five main roads from Edo (Tokyo) during the Edo Period (17th to 19h centuries). Nikko was important for having the splendid mausoleum for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun.Mar 10, 2023
mb329-20230128_8720s.jpg
Nikko Kaido Road monument near Yatate Bridge. The monument is in the shape of Saitama Prefecture indicating Soka-Matsubara on Nikko Kaido is one of Japan's 100 Best Roads. 日本の道百選の顕彰碑Mar 10, 2023
mb328-20230128_8712s.jpg
Yatate Bridge on the southern end of Soka-Matsubara. "Yatate" also comes from Basho's prose in Oku-no-Hosomichi. 矢立橋Mar 10, 2023
mb327-20230128_8705s.jpg
Picture tile on the bridge depicting a samurai procession on the Nikko Kaido in Soka.Mar 10, 2023
mb326-20230128_8704s.jpg
Looking south from Yatate Bridge. Almost the end of Soka-Matsubara pine tree path.Mar 10, 2023
mb325-20230128_8703s.jpg
Southern view from Yatate Bridge.Mar 10, 2023
mb324-20230128_8690s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb323-20230128_8688s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb322-20230128_8695s.jpg
Northern view from Yatate Bridge.Mar 10, 2023
mb321-20230128_8685s.jpg
Northern view from Yatate Bridge.Mar 10, 2023
mb320-20230128_8687s.jpg
Top of Yatatebashi arch bridge.Mar 10, 2023
mb319-20230128_8683s.jpg
Top of Yatate Bridge.Mar 10, 2023
mb318-20230128_8679s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb317-20230128_8677s.jpg
Going up Yatate Bridge.Mar 10, 2023
mb316-20230128_8673s.jpg
Northern view from Yatate Bridge.Mar 10, 2023
mb315-20230128_8669s.jpg
Northern view from Yatate Bridge.Mar 10, 2023
mb314-20230128_8668s.jpg
Bicycle slope decorated with these picture tiles.Mar 10, 2023
mb313-20230128_8665s.jpg
Yatate Bridge includes a narrow slope for walking your bicycle. Not wheelchair accessible. 矢立橋Mar 10, 2023
mb312-20230128_8666s.jpg
Yatate Bridge on the southern end of Soka-Matsubara. It's 96.3 meters long and 4.14 meters wide. Bigger than Hyakutai Bridge. 矢立橋Mar 10, 2023
mb311-20230128_8662s.jpg
The other arch bridge on the southern end of Soka-Matsubara.Mar 10, 2023
mb310-20230128_8663s.jpg
Directions and distances.Mar 10, 2023
mb309-20230128_8660s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb308-20230128_8655s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb307-20230128_8650s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb306-20230128_8648s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb305-20230128_8638s.jpg
Such a pleasant walk along Soka-Matsubara.Mar 10, 2023
mb304-20230128_8627s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb303-20230128_8622s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb302-20230128_8619s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb301-20230128_8618s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb300-20230128_8617s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb299-20230128_8612s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb298-20230128_8611s.jpg
Mar 10, 2023
mb297-20230128_8610s.jpg
Walking further south along Soka-Matsubara.Mar 10, 2023
mb296-20230128_8605s.jpg
Soka-Matsubara pine trees and Ayasegawa River.Mar 10, 2023
mb295-20230128_8633s.jpg
Matsubara Ayasegawa Park watchtowerMar 10, 2023
mb294-20230128_8602s.jpg
Matsubara Ayasegawa Park Mar 10, 2023
mb293-20230128_8601s.jpg
Matsubara Ayasegawa Park Mar 10, 2023
mb292-20230128_8600s.jpg
Matsubara Ayasegawa Park Mar 10, 2023
mb291-20230128_8598s.jpg
Matsubara Ayasegawa Park's cherry blossoms must be beautiful when in bloom.Mar 10, 2023
mb290-20230128_8597s.jpg
Matsubara Ayasegawa Park is a large park with cherry blossoms.Mar 10, 2023
mb289-20230128_8594s.jpg
Soka Matsubara goes along the Ayase River.Mar 10, 2023
mb288-20230128_8592s.jpg
Soka Matsubara goes along the Ayase River. 綾瀬川Mar 10, 2023
mb287-20230128_8591s.jpg
Harp Bridge has a harp sculpture. Mar 10, 2023
2434 files on 10 page(s) 1