4
To the north of the village, and after an ascent of a few minutes, the tourist is brought face to free with Nasa, a beautiful and imposing mountain. It consists of three principal peaks, one of which, called Chansugatake, is an extinct volcano. The Nasusan is properly speaking a well-defined volcano. It still emits smoke and subterranean sounds. The crater appears to be about 200 metres in diameter. The sides are arid and bear traces of eruptions of lava. The last eruption is said to have taken place in the year 1730. The ascent to the crater is easy; and that of the neighbouring peak, Bishamon, can also be made. This station would afford an agreeable resort in summer; the air is fresh and the nights are cool; but the bad state of the roads would for a long time render access to it difficult for the majority of travellers, and almost impossible for European ladies.
Another hot spring station is to be found at a place called Shiwobara, towards the West of Nasu, and to the N. E. of the road from Nikko to Aidzu, which passes not far from here. It is possible to go direct from Nasa to Aidzu by the neck of the Santagré, but the roads are very bad by the confession even of the natives.
14th August.—From Yumoto to Idoyo.
Leaving Yumoto, the left bank of the river is passed, and the traveller descends the slopes E. of the Nasu. For 4 ri these slopes are well wooded, but the roads are muddy, full of ruts and impracticable after rain. Not a house is to be met with until the miserable hamlet of Tsunago is reached, consisting at most of 70 souls, and absolutely destitute of resources. From this point to Shirakawa, a great uncultivated plain must be passed marked with the peculiar characteristics of the hara: the distance is 2 ri 15 chô.
At Shirakawa the great northern road from Tokio to Sendai in Aidzu is regained. Shirakawa is a large town of about 2 kilometres in circumference, with a large trade in silk. It is the ancient Shiro. At some distance to the West the road branches off to the N.E. towards Sendai, and N.W. towards Aidzu. In this latter direction, and at
