5
212 ri from Shirakawa, is to be found the village of Idoyo—18 to 20 houses.
Leaving Idoyo the road takes a general direction northward. The country is very undulating and well wooded, and the following villages are passed:
Kamigoya |
(1 ri, 20 cho). |
Makinouchi |
(1 ri,„ 15 cho„). |
Naganuma |
(1 ri,„ 2 cho„). |
At the latter point you leave the Oukaido (or great road) if it is desired to go direct to the Lake Inawashiro. Formerly a shira was standing in this important place which is one of the gates of the province of Aidzu, either by the direct road or by the defile which leads to the Luke Inawashiro. To reach the latter point it is necessary to proceed by way of Takinohara (1 ri) with one relay of horses, passing through a pretty valley variously cultivated, bounded on the N.E. by the mountains of Iwaki. On dismounting, the defile or neck of Oyuwake is entered. The road follows, at a rounded angle, a stream which runs from N. to S. Both banks are covered with thick wood rendered useless by want of roads. The right bank is formed by a somewhat remarkable mountain, Achimangatake, the ascent of which is prolonged for about 2 ri. Nearly at the summit a single post-house is be found, called Oyawake, and at 1,000 m. above this point one of the finest views in Japan may be enjoyed. It extends towards the South and South-east, with an immense horizon bounded by the lofty mountains of Sendai and Oshiu.
Still contianing to climb these steep slopes, the traveller leaves, with many regrets, this magnificent country and arrives at the boundary which divides the waters of the Pacific from those of the Sea of Japan, a venerable gate and a feudal barrier informiug him of his entrance into the province of Aidzu. This boundary is hardly reached before a rapid descent towards the north is commenced, and a view is gained as superb as that which has just been left behind. A succession of the mountain-chains of Aidzu and Sendai extends to the North. At a
