Onikane Road Walk (October 4th)

An event touring the "Okaneni no Michi" (Gold Road), which was the route along which gold and silver produced in Sado was transported to Edo during the Edo period, has begun again this year. The "Okaneni no Michi Bus & Walk" event, held in Sado City on October 4th, saw approximately 80 people dressed in Edo period costumes take part, walking and traveling by bus the approximately 40 km route from the Aikawa district to the Ogi district, and reminiscing about the romance of history.

The event was organized by the "Sado Island Gold Mine Future Association," a group of local volunteers. While it has usually been held over two days, this year the walking distance was limited to six sections, covering about six kilometers, and participants were able to use the bus for the rest of the day, making it easier to participate.

At the departure ceremony held in front of the former Sado Magistrate's Office in the Aikawa district, Tsunagukai Vice Chairman Toru Suzuki gave a speech saying, "We have reached the first anniversary of the World Heritage registration. We would like to increase the momentum for everyone to learn about the history and culture related to the Sado Gold Mine and work together to preserve and utilize it." Afterwards, the group started walking with shouts of encouragement, heading for Kizaki Shrine in the Ogi district.

Along the way, the group walked energetically, admiring the Christian graves and stone pagodas beside the waterfall. At the lunch venue, Tsubakio, a song and dance performance of "Sand Gold Ondo," themed on the Nishimikawa Gold Mine, was performed to soothe the participants' fatigue.

Hideki Motai (56), an office worker from Sado City, who participated for the second time, said, "There are places that you can't normally get to by car, so this was a good opportunity. Wearing historical costumes was also a memorable experience."

On November 30th, we are planning to hold the "Okanari no Michi Walk in Warabi and Itabashi" (sponsored by Sado City), which will walk from Warabi City, Saitama Prefecture to Itabashi Ward, Tokyo. Please apply when applications open.

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