Biwa-toge had a reputation for being a hard pass to cross, but that was because of the frequently inclement weather rather than the difficulty of the terrain. Ishidatami were laid to counteract the slipperiness. Here they form the longest section of paving anywhere on the Nakasendo, some 620 yards long. According to the description at the bottom of the pass, the trail and the stones were only rediscovered in 1970.
The trail down from Biwa-toge takes about half and hour and passes through woodlands. It is very pleasant walking, but the views which travelers like Princess Kazunomiya enjoyed are now obstructed by the trees. On reaching the road, the way into Okute is pleasantly rural. The only outstanding features are two massive boulders called ‘The Big Stones of Okute’ which are featured in Hiroshige’s print.
The Big Stones of Okute
