Glimpses of Japan Local - in JEnglish

  Long waited "Akama Spring Festival" begins. Unfortunately, the sky looks like rain. Parked my car at the supermarket parking lot - a bit too far from the Festive site. Walked through a residential area for a while, and came to the West entrance of "Akama-Shuku" - the Old Post Town in the feudal ages along the Karatsu Kaido Proceeded along the old highway from the west entrance to the Old Post Town centre area. Traffic restrictions were in place, and a security guard was guiding the visitors. There's a small shrine a little north of the main road. Tsuji-Ido (street well) was once used by residents and travellers back and forth along the Karatsu-Highway You can still feel the atmosphere of the former Post town. Occasional scattering rain, but several visitors Akama's traditional "Kabuto (samurai warrior's helmet-like)" construction.　 Pity, on such a rainy day The Sake brewery is quite popular and  lively. "Akama-kan" renovated old hou...

  After exiting the Jyoyama Tunnel on National Route 3 heading from Okagaki-machi to Munakata City, soon after merging with the old National Route 287, t here is a traffic light that makes you wonder "Why is this here for?" Went down the side road (ahead of this traffic light) on "Potter-kichi" . The narrow road on the left leads to the foot of the mountain Going down the slope, the J R Kagoshima Main Line runs  along the valley's right (west) side, after exiting the Jyoyama Tunnel. National Highway No.3 Jyoyama Mountain Pass is not so steep, allowing me to keep riding on a bicycle to the hill top. The ancient national main road "Saikaido"(Western Highway) , which should have been built around there, must have been laid out trying to avoid steep ups and downs. Flower of Yomena (edible grass) ? down a narrow mountain road A sign board "Saikaido" at the position overlooking the rice field with an open view "Saikaido'' refers...