Pottering report of a bicycle along the Chikumagawa River. Vol.２

We can see a red color Ozeki Bridge in front of you.  Cross the bridge, turn right at the prefectural Route 38, and head for Kijimadaira.  There is a gradual climb from here.  Nearby people and businesses have opened a parking lot for tourists for a fee.  However, how lucky it is for the people who live in this region that the rape blossoms bloom beautifully in the "Golden Week".

やがて川下に大関橋が見えてくる。橋を渡り県道38号を右折し木島平に向かう。ここから緩やかな上りになる。周辺では訪れる観光客のために住民や企業が有料で駐車場を開放している。しかし、ゴールデンウィークに花の盛りになるとは瑞穂地区の人たちにとって何と幸運なことだろう。 

Looking down from the rape blossoms Park, the Chikumagawa River and Mt. Madarao= altitude of 1381 kilometers. are behind and the scenery of like Iiyama City spreads.  Japanese song "Oborozukiyo" was written by late Tatsuyuki Takano, originally from former Toyota Village which was adjacent to Iiyama City.  This song is said to have drawn this village scenery.
菜の花公園から見下ろすと、千曲川と斑尾山＝標高1381㍍が後景になり、飯山らしい北信濃の代表的な景色が目の前に広がる。飯山市に隣接した旧豊田村出身、高野辰之氏作詞による日本唱歌「おぼろ月夜」は、この風景を描いたといわれている。 

Depart from rape blossoms Park and head towards Nozawaonsen, go through the Prefectural Route 38.  After riding bicycle about 1 kilometers and turning to the left, the National Route 117 to joins together again. In the National Route, sidewalks are installed only on the right side. We run on the sidewalk by bicycle because there are no road signs to prohibit the bicycle running, and there are no pedestrians.

菜の花公園を後にし、県道38号を今度は野沢温泉方面に進む。１㎞程走って左に折れると、再び国道117号と合流する。国道には右側だけに歩道がある。自転車走行可の標識は見当たらなかったが、歩行者の姿はなく、安全を考え歩道を走行することにする。 

We are faced with the choice of going north on the National Route 117, crossing Kashio Bridge, or taking the road along Iiyama Line tracks from Togari-Nozawa Onsen Station.  However, since the National Route will go uphill, we will choose the way to cross the bridge.  There are few cars through the Prefectural Route 408 between the Iiyama line and the Chikumagawa river.  The National Route on the other side of the river was intense up and down, it was the correct answer by choosing this road.  The flow of the river approaches in front of us and we relax and enjoy cycling along the Chikumagawa River.
柏尾橋のたもとで、そのまま国道117号を北上するか、橋を渡って戸狩野沢温泉駅から飯山線沿いに走行するか迷うが、国道が上りになるので橋を渡る道を選択する。飯山線と千曲川の間の県道408号は車がほとんど通らない。対岸の国道は、かなりアップダウンがあり、この道を選んで正解だった。河原がなくなり距離が近くなった川面を見ながら、のんびりと千曲川紀行を楽しむ。 

Yutaki Onsen (photo) is located along the Chikumagawa River, and you can see the river from the outdoor bath.  It is a perfect resting point as it is close to Kamisakai Station on Iiyama Line.  The hot spring after the cycling is wonderful. I feel great.  There are about two hours until the next train, so it takes a hot spring relaxedly.
湯滝温泉（写真）は千曲川沿いに位置し、露天風呂からは川面が望める。上境駅にも近く絶好の休憩ポイントだ。ポタ後の入浴は堪らない。最高の気分になれる。次の電車までは約２時間余あるので、ゆったり湯に浸かる。 

We enjoyed "Temple and flower town Iiyama City" this time.  The altitude of Iiyama Station is 316 meters, and the terminal station is about 320 meters and there seems to be no height difference,however it takes a moderate load because it is necessary to go up the hill in the rape blossoms Park.  And, it is glad that there is a hot spring at the end.  It will be impossible because in winter it will be covered with snow, however in other seasons, it is a course I would recommend without choosing Spring.

今回、奥信濃「寺と花まち飯山」を満喫した。飯山駅の標高が316㍍、終点の上境駅が約320㍍と高低差がないように見えるが、菜の花公園では丘を上る必要があるので適度な負荷もかかる。そして何より最後に温泉があるのが嬉しい。冬は一面雪に覆われているだろうから無理だろうが、他の季節であれば、何も春を選ばなくてもお勧めしたいコースだ。

Pottering report of a bicycle along the Chikumagawa River. END

This website uses multiple translation software, However it seems that there is a possibility of mistranslation. Please note.