"Okanka no Michi Walk in Warabi and Itabashi" (November 30th)

On November 30th, the "Okaneni no Michi Walk in Warabi and Itabashi" (sponsored by Sado City) was held, following the "Okaneni no Michi" (Gold Road), which was the road along which gold and silver was transported from Sado to Edo during the Edo period. Approximately 100 people, mainly from the Tokyo metropolitan area, participated, working up a good sweat and reflecting on the hardships faced by the people of that time.

The course was approximately 11km long, stretching from Warabi City Hall in Saitama Prefecture to Itabashi Ward Office in Tokyo. Participants, dressed in Edo period travel attire, walked mainly along the old Nakasendo road, visiting historical sites such as Suijinja Shrine, Shimizuzaka, and Shimura Ichirizuka.

At the departure ceremony held at Warabi City Hall, Director Kobayashi Daigo of the Sado City Tourism, Culture and Sports Department read a message from Sado City Mayor Watanabe Ryugo, saying, "Through this walk, we hope to reaffirm the value of the historical and cultural resources of the area along the Golden Road, and to use this as an opportunity to explore collaboration that will contribute to the regional development of both Sado and Warabi." Director Kobayashi shouted, "Let's set off!" and the group set off.

At lunchtime in Ukima Park (Itabashi Ward), participants were served rice balls made with Sado-grown koshihikari rice and Nagamo duck tsukudani (simmered in soy sauce). The Hagiwara Yoshiro Company also performed the Sagami-ryu Sato Kagura dance, helping to soothe the fatigue of the participants.

Mitsumi Hirakuri, a part-time worker from Toda City, Saitama Prefecture, who participated with her family, said with a smile, "It's a road I don't usually walk on, so I made new discoveries, such as old houses and unfamiliar shops. I've never been to Sado, but I'd like to make it one of my potential travel destinations."