【渡良瀬遊水地】をブロンプトンで自転車輪行旅。谷中湖を一周し、煉瓦色のメタセコイヤ並木と三県境を訪ねるポタリング。少しだけ佐野市も。
Smell of fresh grass. Just five minutes from Shinkoga Station. An area the size of 700 Tokyo Dome baseball stadiums. A 7 km loop around Lake Yanaka. Hardly any cars or pedestrians. Refreshing, safe, and peaceful. To the north, a 350-degree open view. Vast nature. When you want to see a wide, open sky— this is the place. Autumn 2025, A perfectly clear day. Watarase Retarding Basin — Half loop around Lake Yanaka. About 7 km. It feels like riding on top of the water. A road cyclist sweeping fallen leaves— Thank you. A straight path stretching on, and beyond it, the blue sky. Here Long, gentle curves. The road is all yours. Here！ The view widens. Few vending machines. An observation deck on your right. Beautiful silver grass and golden leaves. Almost back to the start. Nogi Hofman Museum— an Important Cultural Property. Here！ Peak autumn foliage. The brick kiln to the left— also an Important Cultural Property. A magnificent row of Metasequoia trees. A perfect autumn cycling course. The Tripoint Border: Tochigi, Gunma, and Saitama. Here！ There are 40 tripoints in Japan, most buried in riverbeds or at mountaintops. This is the only one on flat land. Three prefectures in three steps. “Beyond that levee, the Watarase River— 30 to 40 meters wide— used to flow right beneath our feet.” “This is the spot.” “The exact center of the river. No one could enter it.” “Why can we stand here now?” “Because the river that once flowed right here was relocated to another course.” We were able to hear a very precious story. Thank you. Reservoirs No.1, No.2, and No.3. Normally dry, covered with vast reed fields — endless swaying Yoshi reeds. Up ahead is the Watarase River. Then the Uzuma River. Great access to Tochigi City and Ashikaga. Bonus segment— Heading to Sano City, in search of spring water and ramen. Let’s go! The former residence of Shozo Tanaka, a historic figure deeply connected to the story of Lake Yanaka. Izuruhara Benten Pond— crystal-clear spring water. This is what it looks like during the day. So hungry— and now both my stomach and heart are full. A cycling trip where you gaze at endless skies and breathe in the deep scent of grass. How does that sound? Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed it, please like and subscribe.
ポタリングの行き先に迷ったら、「渡良瀬遊水地」もおすすめです。
栃木県、群馬県、埼玉県を跨ぐ、関東屈指の広さと大自然を誇る遊水池では、谷中湖を周ったり、広大なヨシ原を巡ったりと、自然と触れ合うポタリングが楽しめます。
今回は、重要文化財がある「野木ホフマン館」を訪ね、紅葉する「メタセコイヤ並木」の下を走ってみたり、また「三県境」では、ボランティアさんから渡良瀬遊水地の悲しい歴史を伺うなど、心動かされる出会いもありました。
【目次】
00:00 はじめに
01:10 谷中湖を周回
02:40 野木ホフマン館のメタセコイヤ並木
03:05 三県境
04:05 調整池
04:34 佐野市へ
05:05 出流原弁天池
アクセスは「新古河駅」からたったの5分。折りたたみ自転車を展開した後は、市街地を走ることもありません。
谷中湖の周回コースは、自動車も歩行者も極めて少なく、久しぶりに自転車に乗る人や、新しい自転車を試し乗りするにも最適です。
どこまでも広い空を見たい時に、ぜひ出かけてほしい場所です。
#brompton #ブロンプトン #自転車旅 #渡瀬遊水池