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Words-and-Pictures: Ishidatami

Note: This selection of Words-and-Pictures was made on September 14, 2001, as I walked on the Old Tokaido.

This tribute to a rough road was written after the ascent from Odawara to Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture. These are Stations #9 and 10 respectively (from Tokyo) on the Old Tokaido Highway. You can read about my climb in my Logbook.

Here are several images of the beautiful--but brutal--stone paving I encountered on my way up to Hakone.



This is part of the first stretch encountered, near Hakone Kannon Temple. These stones are the worst kind: round.

This is part of the long stretches above Saunji Temple, which weave in and out of the vehicle road. These flat stones are much easier walking, but slipping is a greater danger.

These flowers were actually part of someone's yard, growing just before the stairs that lead up to the road in Hatajuku.

After toiling up the stairs, this section is relatively flat, and runs for about three kilometers past the Amazakejaya teahouse and up to the top. These stones were particularly rough.

The light at the end of the tunnel: nearing Ashinoko Lake. The stones here are interspersed with gravel.



Posted September 27, 2019

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