Soka Matsubara Promenade 草加松原遊歩道─おくのほそ道の風景地

Scenic "giant bonsai" on the old Nikko Kaido

This spect acular promenade of pine trees stretches for 1.5 kilometers along the Ayase River. The long rows of trees are variously called Senbon Matsubara and Giant Bonsai along the Old Nikko Kaido dating from the Edo era. The walking path is designated as a national place of scenic beauty. It's recalled in Bassho's account Oku no Hosomichi. The drum-shaped bridges afford great views that help you imagine the journeys that pilgrims of the Edo era. Monuments along the way are marked with English and Japanese information about the poet Bassho, the preservation efforts supported by historian Donald Keene, and details about Edo era life. For Bassho fans, this place is a must-see.