[Music Chapter 1] Shimosuwa・Manji Stone Buddha × Ryuteki Performance

🚆 Kobuchizawa Station | A Transfer Point for the Koumi Line × Piano Surprise

After departing from Kofu, take the train to Shimosuwa.
Make a brief stop at “Kobuchizawa Station,” which is a transfer point for the Koumi Line and also a point for Suwa.

Upon exiting the station, I discovered a piano 🎹 inside,
but since I arrived too early, the piano area was not yet open, and I could only take a simple photo for remembrance.

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🏯 Shimosuwa Post Town | The End Point of the Kōshū Highway × Intersection with the Nakasendo

Shimosuwa Post Town is the end point of the Kōshū Highway,
where it intersects with the Nakasendo, becoming the historically famous “Suwa Point.”

For friends interested in historical road travel, this place is truly unmissable.
However, to be honest, the on-site signage or installations feel slightly lacking in vintage charm.
For example, if stone lanterns or guiding inscriptions could be set up, such as “From here is the Kōshū Highway,” “From here is the Nakasendo (Edo),” “From here is the Nakasendo (Kyoto),” it would better highlight its historical significance.

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🚴‍♀️ Cycling Along Lake Suwa | The Encounter of Coffee and Trains

Cycling along Lake Shimosuwa is very comfortable,
but if you just want to leisurely ride around the lake, you can also start from “Okaya Station” or “Kamisuwa Station,“
as these places have bicycle rental stations with more options.

Stopping along the way to have a cup of coffee and enjoy the lake view is completely not tiring ☕🚲

Along the way, I also encountered:

• 🚂 A steam train passing by
• 👦 A little boy standing alone by the roadside

Although I asked for permission to take a photo after receiving a positive response,
since the other party was still quite young, I ultimately did not pursue further inquiries about purchasing a drawing or interaction,
after all, I did not want to cause any misguidance in values.

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🪈 Manji Stone Buddha × Live Performance of the Ryuteki

In the Shimosuwa area, there is a famous “Manji Stone Buddha,“
and the surrounding natural scenery is very tranquil and serene.

During my visit, I happened to encounter an elder playing the “Ryuteki” (a Japanese transverse flute),
and the sound of the performance, along with the stone Buddha, green trees, and flowing water, created an indescribable spiritual resonance, as if I were in an ancient painting.

🎥 During a break, I politely asked the elder if I could record, and he gladly agreed.
I also shared the recording to let everyone enjoy this impromptu ensemble of nature and music.

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📌 Summary ‧ Quiet Moments Collected During the Musical Journey

This day’s journey did not particularly include too many attractions,
but it became exceptionally rich due to the chance encounters with music and small life scenes:

• 🎹 The unplayed piano at the station in the morning
• 🪈 The sound of the Ryuteki in front of the stone Buddha
• ☕ Bicycling by the lake + coffee
• 🚂 The steam train and the image of children

Sometimes, the highlights of a trip are not the attractions, but the sounds you hear.
In the next entry, let’s write about that flute that couldn’t make a sound 🎶