"Okinari no Michi" Walk in Edo, Tokyo (November 30th)

The "Onikane no Michi Walk in Edo-Tokyo," which follows the "Gold Road" that transported gold and silver from Sado to Edo, was held in Tokyo on November 30th. Approximately 100 people, mainly from the Tokyo metropolitan area, participated, working up a good sweat under clear skies.

The course was approximately 11km long, starting from Itabashi Ward Office, passing through Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street, Kanda Myojin Shrine, and other places, before ending at Tokyo Torch Park, near the former Bank of Japan site. Participants, dressed in Edo period travel attire, walked mainly along the old Nakasendo road, remembering the hardships of their ancestors.

The group, dressed in historical costumes, attracted attention as they walked through Tokyo. People along the route cheered them on with shouts of "Congratulations on being registered as a World Heritage Site" and "Beautiful!" A taiko drumming club at Taisho University, located along the route, gave a performance, livening up the walk.

At the finish line, the heroic sounds of the Itabashi performing arts troupe "Kousui Wakashu Itabashi Goudaiko" and the Sado traditional performing arts troupe "Etsusa" soothed our fatigue.

The "Okanari no Michi Walk" began in Sado City on October 5th and went through Joetsu City, Nagano Prefecture, and Tokyo. This marks the "end" of this long journey that has connected so many miles.