がいせん桜通り｜新庄宿の町並みを水路と桜に沿って歩く

がいせん桜通りは、旧出雲街道の宿場だった新庄宿を抜ける道です。家並みの前を二筋の水路が流れ、その間に桜の幹が並びます。春の花だけでなく、軒先と水音をたどりながら宿場の形を読み取れる散策路です。

基本情報

Gaisen-zakura Street follows the old Izumo road through the former post town of Shinjo. Water channels run in front of the houses on both sides, with cherry trees lining the way. The eaves and the sound of flowing water bring the layout of the old settlement into focus well beyond blossom season.

At a glance

宿場に桜が並んだ理由

この通りは江戸時代の宿場の面影を残し、本陣跡などが街道に沿っています。1906年に日露戦争の戦勝を記念して桜が植えられ、がいせん桜と呼ばれるようになりました。古い建物と並木を一緒に見ると、異なる時代の姿が重なります。

両側の水路に耳を澄ます

桜の枝をくぐりながら足元を見ると、通りの両側に水路が続いています。そばで立ち止まれば水がさらさらと流れる音が聞こえ、この宿場町が日本の音風景百選に選ばれた理由を耳で感じられます。

春以外の散策と村への行き方

秋には葉が色づき、冬は枝越しに街道沿いの建物を見通せます。雪の日は水路の縁が見えにくいため、足元を確かめながら通りを歩きましょう。公共交通ならJR中国勝山駅から梨瀬方面のバスで約40分、「新庄村役場前」から徒歩約3分です。

Why cherry trees line the post road

Reminders of the Edo-period post town include the site of its honjin, an inn for officials travelling on the road. In 1906 cherry trees were planted to commemorate Japan’s victory in the Russo-Japanese War, giving rise to the name Gaisen-zakura. The old buildings and the avenue reflect different chapters of the street’s history.

Listening to the village waterways

Look down as you walk beneath the branches and you will see channels following both edges of the street. Stop beside one to hear the running water, the sound recognised in Japan’s selection of 100 soundscapes.

Walking outside blossom season

The leaves colour in autumn, while bare branches open up views of the buildings in winter. Snow can obscure the edges of the water channels, so watch your footing. From JR Chugoku-Katsuyama Station, take a bus towards Nashize for about 40 minutes and get off at Shinjo Village Office. The street is roughly a three-minute walk away.