Monday, July 1, 2013

Hara - 13th station of Tokaido

The rain went away, and though it is cloudy, it looks like it will be a nice day.

Today, I start at Hara-shuku.  The Honjin (main lodging) is no longer there, neither are other markings of the old station town.  This town did not preserve the footsteps of the past.  So I decided to move on.

The Tokaido road is now passing by Mt. Fuji.  It is supposed to be a beautiful scenery.  Unfortunately, this is what Mt. Fuji looks like today - looks like it's not there.
So, I move on.  Walking and walking down the straight road.  On the left hand side is the railroad track.  I have noticed that the houses here bear a beautiful Japanese garden.  The pine trees are trimmed to perfection - kind of resembles the "Bonsai" doesn't it?
I cross the railroad, and soon I reach Fuji City.  And then the "Ichirizuka" (4km mark) comes up on the left hand side.  This Ichirizuka has beside it the statue of Heishiro Masuda, who has helped build a manmade river to avoid the flood that struck this part of town over and over again.  Local hero.
The road becomes very tricky from here.  The road splits to the right at the Joya-to (old street light) - which didn't exist!  I have also noticed that there are no convenience stores or McDonald's - no restrooms!!

Looking very carefully at the Google Map markings I placed, I luckily found my way and caught up with the folks I met yesterday and exchanged information.  The road parts to the right at what used to be a bank, crosses the railroad, and on the lefthand side is the modern Yoshiwara station.  (Restrooms in the station as well - I am saved!)

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