From Iida Park to Tenryugawa Station

Iida Park Entrance

Iida Park as a whole is an athletic park but this section of the park is often nicknamed as Midorina the place to teach gardening to local residents. The area has a pond home to migratory birds ibises and ducks, orchard of fruit-bearing trees, the model hedges and outdoor exhibits of some of the major garden rock formation patterns.

Walking toward Tenryu River

The nearest Tenryu River Levee is a 15-minute walk from Iida Park not a big deal for frequent walkers. When exiting from the main entrance of the park turn left and walk eastward.

Getting near Tenryu River Levee

After walking eastward toward the Tenryu River, there is a path to get up to the levee.

Walkng up to the Levee

Walking up the stair path and you will get to the top of the levee where the broad road runs.

FInding the way to the Riverside Jogging Course

I had to find the pathway down to the riverside jogging course.

Hamamatsu Photonics

Hamamatsu Photonics is one of the major Japanese manufacturers of optical sensors.

Viewing Tenryu River

Tenryu River is the 9th longest river in Japan spanning about 213 kilometers. It originates from Lake Suwa in Nagano prefecture. This point near the factory of Hamamatsu Photonics is the very last leg of the river flow, approximately 8 kilometers from the river mouth.

Entering the Riverside Jogging Course

There is a pathway down to the riverside jogging course.

Riverside Jogging Course

There is a nice jogging/walking trail good even for athletes. It is relatively flat and has some distance marks along the way. During winter, however, you might face gusty winds particularly when you jog upstream.

Getting under the Bridge for Tokaido Shinkansen Express Line

It is one of the popular shooting point of Shinkansen (bullet train). If you are really lucky you could also get a Mount. Fuji photo as a backdrop.

Getting under the Bridge for Tokaido Shinkansen Express Line 2

Now I got past the underpass of the bullet train. From there you could have the nice view of the mountains, and if you are really lucky you may find Mount Fuji from there.

Getting near the Riverside Park

Getting past the bullet train underpass, I walked toward the riverside park.

Tenryugawa Ryokuchi Park

The trail traverses through the south area of 31-ha riverside park mostly occupied by baseball fields.

Tenryugawa Ryokuchi Park 2

The park other than baseball fields are grassy area with some manicured shrubs (possibly azaleas)

Tenryugawa Ryokuchi Park 3

Tenryugawa Ryokuchi Park 4

Getting under Tokaido Main Line

1800-m-long Jogging/Walking Course Point F

1800m-long Jogging/Walking Course 2

1800m-long Jogging/Walking Course Point H

1800m Jogging/Walking Course Point C

Going up to the road on the Levee

Finding the way to lead to Tenryugawa Station

Finding the way to lead to Tenryugawa Station 2

Prefectural Route #313

Finding the way to lead to Tenryugawa Station 3

Anma River

Anma River may have been one of the vestiges of Old Tenryu River before it was straightened out through the civil works during early Edo period creating more arable land for rice production. The river is one of the most popular birding spots in Hamamatsu. The river is also notorious for floods and the latest huge flood occurred in 1997.

Anmashinden Bridge

The nameplace Anma may have come from the Anma clan which developed the area into rice fields and village from wilderness before Edo Period. The clan name Anma originates from Anma Ryogan the warrior of South Court during Nanbokucho Civil War Period between 1336 to 1392 A.D. Ryogan and its descendants are said to have developed the area along Anma river. Anma Shinden could be the newer development area because the name Shinden often comes after the area developed during Edo period.

Pedestrian Bridges

To get to Old Tokaido I needed to cross two pedestrian bridges which was nearly a torture for my tired legs. If you love to see the cars go by it could be a great place for you.

Old Tokaido Road

Rows of Black Pines

The site of rest place

Yakushi

The nameplace Yakushi often derive from the nearby Buddhist temple enshrining Yakushinyorai or Bhaisajyaguru, often referred to as "Medicine Buddha" or "God of Medicine". The area which had been also designated as the rest place for Old Tokaido during Edo period might have thrived because of Shorinji Temple housing Bhaisajyaguru.

The Park for Tokaido Walkers

When walking along Old Tokaido road you may find some small parks for a short rest. This park is one of them.

Tenryugawa Station

A Tokaido Main Line Station, next from Hamamatsu closer to Tokyo.