"Okanka no Michi" Walk in Nagano (November 16th)

On November 16th, the "Onikane no Michi Walk in Nagano" was held in Nagano Prefecture, retracing the "Gold Road," which transported gold and silver produced in Sado to Edo during the Edo period. Approximately 90 people dressed in the traveling attire of the time participated, walking along the Hokkoku Kaido road, which connects the three cities of Ueda, Tomi, and Komoro, and remembering the hardships of their predecessors.

This walk was split into two groups: one for the "walking course" (approximately 16 km) and one for the "rail course" (approximately 7 km on foot), which partly uses the railway. At the departure ceremony held at the Shinano Kokubunji Museum in Ueda City, Director Kenichi Tashiro of the Tohoku Electric Power Network Sado Power Center, dressed as a security officer, declared the start of the walk. In a solemn atmosphere, the group headed for the finish line at Otemon Park in Komoro City.

The group visited historical sites such as the Bato Kannon and Oya Nioson, as well as Unno-juku, where traditional townscapes have been preserved and the prosperity of the past is still felt. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the local performing arts group "Oasama Hien Taiko" from Komoro City, and the heroic sounds of their drumming soothed the fatigue of their "long journey."

This year's walking event is scheduled to conclude with "Edo-Tokyo" on November 30th.