Saikaido Ooage Station House Site & Akamakan (Munakata City)

 

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, there 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 JR 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 both to the ancient administrative area and the main road.

the latter one, here.

The station houses were located every 30 RI (16 km) along Dazaifu Road on the Saikaido

Through the excavation found the remains of the Ooage station house in Saikaido.

Referring to the photo taken during the excavation, it seems that the rice field in the background was the site of the excavation.

It's unlikely to imagine an ancient national facility being built in a place overlooked by road passers-by.

In other words, at least the station house should have been built in a position to look down the main road.

Methinks, the old main road "Saikaido Dazaifu Road" was almost the same place where the current Kyushu trunk railway / JR Kagoshima main line runs?

And where was the next station house on the Saikaido Dazaifu Road?

My limited historical knowledge and poor imagination gave me no answer to it

As I pondered various things, gazed at the shadow of a mountain rising to the west and followed the low area.

I usually head for Akama via the side road of Nogata Munakata Line 29.

For the first time, climbed a steep slope and followed the road through the village, as a short cut.

(This route is easy to run)

It's lunchtime, 

stopped at Akamakan

Here, you can enjoy "Yummie" lunch, prepared by local wives at a reasonable price.

Limited quantity! 

still available???

Let "Potakichi" sit in a corner.

Ordered the simmered sea bream head.

 "Huge!  Not Bad!"

 This is impressive!

Showing off the dishes at a seat near the entrance and started eating.

Several lady groups came in.

A small voice leaked out, "Oops!"

And many of the customers chose simmered sea bream head.

These exhibitions tell the site "Akama" played a major role during the Meiji Restoration period.

e.g.:

- Isamu Hayakawa - supported the activists

- The five nobles fled from the Kyoto capital stopped here on their way to Dazaifu　　

- Sazo Idemitsu - "the Oil Man Called Pirate" 

There are also things like these.

Yes! Those were the days, my friends!