Tough Day

Today should prove to be an interesting day.  Ben tells us this is a good warm up for the climb on Mt Ontake..  We'll see about that. We are getting off the Nakasendo trail and heading to the Kaida Kogen (plateau) and will be going over two passes before ending up in our Ryokan in Kaida
But before the hike we do a little side trip in Kiso Fukushima to the barrier station check point at the end of town.  This location was a natural site for a security check as the valley narrowed so much and with very steep mountains on both sides nobody could bypass this station

Why can't I go. They let all the Brits through

Ukiyoe by Hiroshige depicting the barrier station

Off the Nakasendo hiking through cypress, cedar, and pine trees with numerous deciduous trees inbetween...ash, maple, birch,

Fall (insert name here)

Top of the Jizo Toge (pass) with Mt. Ontake in the background

Over the pass and down to Kaida Koge.  First stop at Kiso Horse Ranch.

These little stout animals were THE pack horses of the day.  Hauled everything from rice to lumber

Kaida Kogen is also known for their buckwheat noodles.  Had some for lunch...no pix too tired and hungry

Second pass