Mt. Myokou (2454m) in central Japan (Niigata pref.) has been worshipped since the ancient era . Sekiyama Shrine and Houzouin Temple were the center of the worship ; we can know the prosperity in the old days. Those locate by Hokkoku- kaidou (highway). The article was written based on guide boards at the site. Traces of the syncretism and subsequent separation of Shinto and Buddhism can be seen. 妙高山（ 2454m 、新潟県）は古代から信仰を集めてきました 。北国街道沿いの 関山神社と別当の宝蔵院は妙高山信仰の拠点 。江戸時代には大いに栄えました（本記事は、妙高市教育委員会の案内板をもとに作成しています）。神仏習合と神仏分離の跡が見えます。 Sekiyama Shrine 、関山神社 Mt. Myokou has been considered as the deity dwelling mountain . The shrine is dedicated to the deity. 妙高山を神体山としてまつる神社（里宮） とされています。 The main building above was rebuilt in 1818 . 1818 年に再建された社殿 。本殿・幣殿・拝殿が一体化し、最奥部に宮殿があります。 View of Mt. Myokou . I visited several times, but I unfortunately have not seen the summit (photo at lower rignt. It is a panel of “Myoko-Kogen Visitor Center” in 2025). The shape of the mountain resembles ...
Sekigawa checkpoint was on Hokkoku- kaidou (highway) which linked central Japan and the Japan Sea coast in the Edo period (1603 ～ 1868). The checkpoint was rebuilt, and the museum next to it exhibits about “ kaidou ” (old highway). The checkpoint is located at the border of Nagano pref. and Niigata pref. The Sikigawa (river) is in front of the checkpoint site. Let’s cross the bridge! 中山道の信濃追分（軽井沢町）を起点とし、北陸へ続く北国街道の信越国境に置かれたのが関川関所です。関所が復元され、街道に関する資料が隣接する道の歴史館に展示されています。信濃側からは関川を渡って関所に向かいます。 There is a path beside the bridge (upper right). Interestingly enough, it was a bypass to avoid the checkpoint . Women mainly used it, because they were checked thoroughly. It was called “Dog Path”. 橋の先には、 関所を迂回できる「犬くぐり道」 が整備されています。関所の手続きが煩雑な女性たちが使うことが多かったようです。 After crossing the bridge, the kaidou goes into the checkpoint. 橋を渡って、街道は関所に入ります。 The building was rebuilt at the checkpoint site. It was an important one, because not only a daimyo lord who possessed an area at...