Most viewed - Ichikawa Water & Greenery Corridor 水と緑の回廊 |
Manhole cover in Ichikawa, Chiba. Pine trees.40 views
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Manhole cover in Ichikawa, Chiba. Pine tree and river fish.37 views
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Water & Greenery Corridor (Mizu-to-Midori-no-Kairo) is a semi-urban, hiking trail in the northwestern part of Ichikawa fronting the border with Tokyo along Edogawa River.19 viewsThis part of Ichikawa is dotted with patches, hills, and slithers of small forests, parks, and ponds. This "Corridor" links all this greenery and bodies of water to help protect and preserve the flora and fauna in a coordinated effort by local environmental groups.
This is a map of the trail. Download the official map here: https://www.city.ichikawa.lg.jp/gre01/1111000022.html
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From Satomi Park, the remaining walk went along Edogawa River to the train station. 18 views
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My coffee and pastries at Yamazaki Plaza Ichikawa in the city where Yamazaki-pan was founded. This capped my good day and hike in Ichikawa.17 views
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The corridor is 6 km and takes a few hours to walk it between Kita-Kokubun Station (photo) and Konodai Station both in Ichikawa.16 viewsThere are also side treks to other nearby sights. Enjoyable especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom or during the autumn foliage.
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Flowery site of Konodai Castle in Ichikawa, Chiba. No castle buildings. 国府台城跡16 views
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Next is Satomi Park, another large park with different areas. This part is undeveloped and quiet. 里見公園13 views
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JR Ichikawa Station on the JR Sobu Line. The skyscraper is The Towers East.12 views
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After the small green belt, walk on the street to the Shell Mound. 11 views
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You will pass by the Ichikawa Municipal Museum of History. Free admission, but it was closed when we were there. Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound Park has two museums. 市川歴史博物館11 views
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Junsai-ike Ryokuchi green belt park. じゅん菜池緑地11 views
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Edogawa River11 views
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Good number of seats inside Yamazaki Plaza Ichikawa, the coffee shop and bakery operated by Yamazaki Baking.11 views
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Hardened shell rocks from the ocean 150,000 years ago displayed in Horinouchi Kaizuka Park. These are not shells discarded by humans. 堀之内貝塚公園10 views
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Follow the trail to Satomi Park next.10 views
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Edogawa River and Tokyo Skytree as seen from Satomi Park.10 views
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Old drawing of Ichikawa Sekisho. It was operated in together with staff on the opposite side (Koiwa) of the river until it was abolished in 1869. The opposite side of the river (Koiwa) also has a signboard marking the sekisho location. 市川関所跡10 views
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The mound has these alphabetized markers to indicate where the shells are. They form a horseshoe shape (or U shape) on the mound.10 views
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From Kita-Kokubun Station, we walked about 600 meters along this highway until we reached the first green belt.9 viewsLocal environmental groups have been active in trying to preserve and protect the city's nature, but it's an uphill struggle with the encroaching urban development, especially when the Hokuso train line was built through Ichikawa in 1979.
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For the most part, the trail has signage in both Japanese and English. We soon got to some greenery called Horinouchi Ryokuchi green belt. There's this fork in the trail. Go left to see the shell mound in Horinouchi Kaizuka Park.9 views
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The other museum in the park is the Ichikawa Archaeology Museum displaying shell mound remains as old as 3,000 years (Jomon Period). Pottery & human remains found here are also exhibited. Good to have this museum next to the shell mound. 市川考古9 views
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It's hard to discern, but Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound is as long as 225 meters and 100 meters wide. 9 viewsPink portion in the diagram on the upper left shows where the shells, animal bones (mostly boar and deer) and other food waste were tossed on the hillsides during 4,000 to 2,500 years ago (Jomon Period). They form a horseshoe shape on the hill.
The mound was a central feature of the Jomon Period cluster of homes in this area. Since the late 19th century (Meiji Period), many digs and research on this shell mound have been conducted by archaeologists. However, there are still unknown things about mound.
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Follow the sign.9 views
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Junsai-ike Pond じゅん菜池9 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池9 views
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Ceiling and bell.9 views
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Poetry Monument for So Sakon's poem. 宗 左近9 views
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Shien-soja (紫烟草舎).9 views
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Small athletics field.9 views
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Horinouchi Kaizuka Park is a flat hill where shells, animal bones, and other food waste were discarded by Jomon people 4,000 years ago. "Kaizuka" means "shell mound." 堀之内貝塚公園8 viewsThis hill was also the site of a Jomon Period human settlement 2,500 to 4,000 years ago. A number of excavations were made since 1904 and ancient human remains, pottery, etc., have been found. National Historic Site.
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Walking through Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound, larger than what meets the eye. The shell mound's immediate area was the ocean shallows where it was easy to harvest shellfish.8 views
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Rules for using Junsai-ike Ryokuchi Park. No bicycle riding, dogs must be leashed, etc.8 views
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Junsai-ike Ryokuchi green belt park じゅん菜池緑地8 views
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Junsai-ike Pond じゅん菜池8 views
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じゅん菜池8 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond in late March. じゅん菜池8 views
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Map and where we are now.8 views
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The trail passes by a few temples like Ekoin Betsuin Temple. This is the temple gate. 回向別院8 views
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Satomi Park is the site of Konodai Castle occupied by the Satomi Clan who ruled the Boso domain in present-day Chiba during the 16th century. Almost nothing remains though. 国府台城8 views
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At the top of this small hill is Ichikawa city's highest point (elevation).8 views
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Poetry Monument for So Sakon's Ichikawa poem. He was a longtime resident and honorary citizen of Ichikawa . 宗 左近8 views
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Satomi Park playground.8 views
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This is part of the riverside walking path. On the left is a forest on a hill. The forest is also being protected.8 views
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Edogawa River8 views
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Edogawa River8 views
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Bicycle art on Edogawa River.8 views
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JR Ichikawa Station is the first station in Chiba on the JR Sobu Line.8 views
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The 45th floor of The Towers West building is named "I-Link Town Observatory." It's a panoramic lookout deck on all four sides of the building. Free admission. This is open-air. If it's raining, there's also an indoor lookout deck8 views
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Guide to visible landmarks.8 views
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Looking east toward Chiba. The JR Sobu Line tracks can be seen on the left going to Moto-Yawata Station.8 views
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Horinouchi Ryokuchi green belt. 堀之内緑地7 views
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Horinouchi Ryokuchi green belt. 堀之内緑地7 views
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Kozuka-yama Park was still under construction. 小塚山公園7 views
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7 views
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If you started the hike at Kita-Kokubun Station, Junsai-ike Pond Ryokuchi green belt park is the first substantial park where you can rest or have lunch. Large pond and cherry blossoms. じゅん菜池緑地7 views
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Some cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池7 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池7 views
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Lush trees and shrubs in Konodai Ryokuchi Park. 国府台緑地7 views
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About the Akedo Kofun burial mound. The diagram shows a keyhole-shaped burial mound. The stone coffins are on the top of the round hill. This burial mound has been a noted site since the Edo Period. 明戸古墳石棺7 views
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7 views
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Cherry blossoms in Satomi Park. 7 views
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This is where most people enjoyed Satomi Park, under the cherry blossoms.7 views
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Edogawa River has a nice riverside walking/cycling path on both sides of the river.7 views
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Instead of going to Konodai Station on the Keisei Line, we walked further south along the Edogawa River. Keisei Line's bridge can be seen behind us.7 views
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This was where people crossed the river by boat and it was a busy/important artery. The Ichikawa Sekisho Checkpoint was at the border between Shimosa (Chiba) and Musashino (Tokyo) Provinces. So the Sekisho was the border control. 市川関所跡7 views
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Ichikawa Tourist Information office next to Ichikawa Station. It was closed.7 views
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Looking west toward Edogawa River. The JR Sobu Line can be seen.7 views
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Looking further upstream on Edogawa River. Left of the river is Edogawa (Koiwa) and Katsushika (Shibamata) Wards.7 views
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Yamazaki Plaza Ichikawa, a bakery operated by Yamazaki Baking in front of Ichikawa Station. Freshly baked in their own hometown, looks yummy.7 views
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Next was Kozuka-yama Park. There are restrooms. 小塚山公園6 views
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Follow the sign to Konodai Ryokuchi green belt.6 views
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Signage for the hiking trail.6 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond.6 views
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In autumn, Junsai-ike Pond is also noted for fall leaves.6 views
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Small bridge in the middle of Junsai-ike Pond.6 views
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Small island in the middle of the pond.6 views
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About Konodai Tenmangu Shrine and an event called Tsujikiri.6 views
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Places to sit in the park.6 views
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The Akedo Kofun burial mound stone coffins date from the 6th century. They were discovered in 1479. The dirt mound over the coffins fell away to expose the coffins which contained samurai armor, swords, etc. 明戸古墳石棺6 views
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Map of Satomi Park. The burial mound is on the upper part next to the red, dotted oval on the map. The park is next to Edogawa River.6 views
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View of Edogawa River from Satomi Park. Across the river is Koiwa and Shibamata. Tokyo Skytree can also be seen. 江戸川6 views
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Satomi Park6 views
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Cherry blossoms in Satomi Park. 6 views
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Satomi Park water fountain. 6 views
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6 views
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Satomi Park is also noted for roses in early summer and fall. The rose is Ichikawa's official flower. 6 views
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6 views
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Nice cherry blossoms at Satomi Park, Ichikawa.6 views
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Near the Ichikawa Sekisho Checkpoint is a Yamazaki Baking (山崎製パン) research and training facility ("Creation Center"). Yamazaki is the world's second largest bread-baking company. Founded in Ichikawa, Chiba in 1948.6 views
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Route 14 bridge over Edogawa River. Bridges were not built over Edogawa River until after the Edo Period ended. Until then, shuttle boats were used to shuttle travelers across the river.6 views
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Map in front of JR Ichikawa Station showing another hiking route.6 views
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Looking west toward Edogawa River. On clear days, Mt. Fuji can also be seen.6 views
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Looking north.6 views
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In front of Ichikawa Station, the building (Sun Plaza 55) on the left has a coffee shop and bakery operated by Yamazaki Baking.6 views
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While walking through Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound, we indeed saw many pieces of shell or pottery on the ground.5 views
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While walking through Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound, many pieces of shell or pottery on the ground. Still here, after thousands of years!5 viewsRead more about this shell mound here: https://ichikawashi.jp/horinouchi/index_en.html
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Sawara Park, we walked through here.5 views
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Water hose manhole for firemen.5 views
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Some cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond in late March. じゅん菜池5 views
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We came out of this trail which goes through into a small forest of different species of trees.5 views
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Satomi Park also has the Akedo Kofun burial mound complete with two stone coffins exposed on the mound. 明戸古墳石棺5 views
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Two stone coffins on Akedo Kofun burial mound. Experts believe that they contained the remains of local nobility who ruled this area in the 6th to 7th century. Chiba Prefecture has many of these stone coffins. 明戸古墳石棺5 views
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Satomi Park, near the burial mound.5 views
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Marker indicating Ichikawa city's highest point (elevation). A whopping 30.1 meters above sea level.5 views
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Sign on a cherry tree saying that no hanami flower-viewing picnics are not allowed here due to Covid-19.5 views
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Castle-like stone foundation. Satomi Park is the site of Konodai Castle. However, this stone foundation is not original.5 views
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Satomi Park water fountain. This is another area of the park. Totally different landscape. This was the main site of Konodai Castle. 国府台城5 views
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5 views
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5 views
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江戸川沿い5 views
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Straight ahead is the bridge for the Keisei Line. 江戸川沿い5 views
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Edogawa River has a nice walking/cycling path.5 views
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LIke other sekisho checkpoints in Edo during the Edo Period, the Ichikawa Sekisho checked for any weapons on travelers entering Edo and any women trying to escape Edo without permission. 市川関所跡5 viewsTo pass through a sekisho, travelers were required to have a travel permit (like a passport) issued by their local government official.
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From the Edogawa riverside, we turned left on Route 14 and walked to Ichikawa Station. Welcome to Chiba! Ichikawa is one of Chiba Prefecture's cities adjacent to Tokyo. 5 views
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View from I-Link Town Observatory, looking west toward Edogawa River. This deck is open 9 am to 10 pm. Closed on the first Monday of the month and during Dec. 29 to Jan. 3.5 views
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"Temple" marks the location of Guhoji Temple, famous for a 400-year-old weeping cherry blossom tree. See this album.5 views
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Looking east toward Chiba. The tall building in the foreground is The Towers East. The JR Sobu Line tracks can be seen on the left.5 views
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Junsai-ike Pond. No swan boats or rowboats. Only ducks. じゅん菜池4 views
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Some cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池4 views
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Ekoin Betsuin Temple's main hall rebuilt in 2009. There's actually a cafe (Cafe Terrace Ekoin) on the 2nd floor. It belongs to the Jodo-shu Buddhist sect and is a branch of Ekoin Temple in Ryogoku, Tokyo. 回向院市川別院源光寺4 views
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Konodai Tenmangu Shrine dedicated to Michizane, scholar deity. Stone lanterns behind the torii date from 1863. 国府台天満宮4 views
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Inside Konodai Tenmangu Shrine. 国府台天満宮4 views
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Konodai Castle remains in Satomi Park. Embankments and rocks. 国府台城4 views
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Cherry blossoms in Satomi Park. 4 views
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Edogawa River.4 views
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Castle-like stone foundation.4 views
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4 views
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Satomi Park visit date.4 views
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Satomi Park cherry blossoms.4 views
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During World War II, Satomi Park was an Imperial Army base camp. It finally became a public park in 1959. Flower beds now cover the site of Konodai Castle.4 views
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Satomi Park also has Shien-soja (紫烟草舎), the former home of famous tanka poet named Kitahara Hakushū (1885–1942) (北原白秋). He lived in this house for only a year in 1916. 4 views
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About Shien-soja. It was originally located in Koiwa (Edogawa Ward, Tokyo) and moved here. (紫烟草舎).4 views
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The Rakan-no-I well was actually depicted in this 1834 illustration, part of Illustrations of Edo's Noted Sights. 羅漢の井4 views
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Slightly south of Keisei Line's Konodai Station next to Edogawa River is the Ichikawa Sekisho Checkpoint site. This is only a marker monument (no original structures). 市川関所跡4 views
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Ichikawa Sekisho marker near Yamazaki Baking.4 views
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Police motor scooter.4 views
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Looking west toward Edogawa River. The JR Sobu Line (left) and Keisei Line (extreme right) over Edogawa River can be seen. The bridge in the middle is Route 14.4 views
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High-density housing.4 views
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Another side of the lookout deck.4 views
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Junsai-ike Ryokuchi Park is a nature area where the flora and fauna are not to be disturbed. じゅん菜池緑地3 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池3 views
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Plum blossom trees near Junsai-ike Pond. 3 views
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Being the site of Konodai Castle, Satomi Park was also the site of the Battles of Konodai fought twice between the local Satomi Clan (ruler of Awa Province in present-day Chiba) and the invading Hojo Clan (from Odawara) in the 16th century. 3 viewsThe Hojo won the final battle and thereby took control of present-day Chiba. The Hojo is said to have expanded and reinforced Konodai Castle.
However, when Tokugawa Ieyasu took control of Japan, he had Konodai Castle dismantled because it had a intimidating view of his own Edo Castle.
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Old well on the fringe of Satomi Park named "Rakan-no-I". 羅漢の井3 views
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Turnstiles at JR Ichikawa Station.3 views
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Scale model of the skyscraper buildings next to JR Ichikawa Station. On the left is The Towers West building and on the right is The Towers East. The West building has a nice lookout deck on the 45th floor.3 views
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Yamazaki Plaza Ichikawa, a coffee shop and bakery operated by Yamazaki Baking in front of Ichikawa Station. This was a good place for refreshments before heading home.3 views
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Photos of the park's flora and fauna by a local environmental group.2 views
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Directions at Ichikawa Station.2 views
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