It is the largest water torii gate in Japan, boasting a height of 18.5 meters. This tourist spot, located at the foot of Jingu Bridge which separates Kitaura Lake and Wanigawa River, is a convenient starting point when driving along the Kitaura lakeshore.
I often get energized here before heading north along the embankment on the left bank of Kitaura. Similar to rivers, for lakes and marshes, the right side is the right bank and the left side is the left bank, looking downstream.
In the case of Kitaura, Kashima City and Hokota City are located on the left bank, while Itako City, Namegata City, and a small part of Hokota City are on the right bank.
When you drive north along the left bank, you'll see a continuous landscape of Kitaura Lake on your left and rice paddies on your right. Since the rice has started to ripen, scarecrows are standing in the paddies. Kite-shaped kites, designed to resemble hawks, are dancing in the wind. These also serve as scarecrows, apparently called "bird-scaring kites."
For some reason, there are also rice paddies surrounded by plastic tigers on all four sides. I wonder if they are effective.
Although not along Kitaura, there is a scarecrow (with a rifle in its arm) that was put up too early and is now buried by the tall rice, with only its head visible from the neck up. It looks as if it's hiding and quietly aiming for prey.
It's not particularly useful, but if you drive around Rokko, you'll become quite knowledgeable about scarecrow situations.
On weekends, bass fishing enthusiasts visit Kitaura. Looking at their license plates, you can see they come from various prefectures in the Kanto region and spend long hours here. While not as many as at Lake Kasumigaura, there are also many cycling enthusiasts who ride along the embankment, cutting through the wind.
Runners should also experience the "Rokko Road." For that, a "runner's station" with lockers and showers might be necessary.
With the arrival of full summer, the grass has grown deep, and a small torii gate standing by the rice paddies is half-buried. The chirping of crickets echoing from the bushes powerfully announces summer. The summer's appeal continues no matter how far you run, making you wonder how many crickets there are in this region.
Every time I run along Kitaura, I recall the struggles of the Ibaraki 100k Ultramarathon in Rokko in March 2019. The wind in Kitaura in March was strong, and the latter half of the race, heading north, was a seemingly endless battle against a fierce headwind.
Kitaura Ohashi Bridge becomes visible around the 75-kilometer mark, but because the lake curves in various places, it's hard to get close to the bridge. That made it even tougher.
Compared to early spring, the wind during summer is practically non-existent. The rustling sound of rice ears swaying is pleasant. Of course, that's because I run early in the morning when the sun isn't scorching.
Text and Photos: Yoshida (Community Relations Team)