Information

2013.02.17

"Walking in Naganokinzan," an Old Gold Source in Satsuma town

Sunday, February 10 was the first time that I participated in a mountain walk event in Japan.

Nagano village or Naganokinsang（永野金山）in Satsuma town, Kagoshima is the ancient gold source of the city. The digging was done from 1640 to 1953. With its historical importance and its objective to attract tourists, the village organized the 8th mountain walk event this year. Almost a thousand people from the neighboring sub-districts, districts and cities joined this event. Adults paid the fee of 1,000 yen (approximately 320 Baht) while children paid 500 yen (160 Baht) including lunch and snacks during the trip. There were 2 routes to choose from, which were course A which was 8 kilometers long and course B which was 10 kilometers long. Rookies like my family members and me chose the 8-km route.

On the way before reaching the mountain which was the ancient gold source, we walked on a path through the village. We could see electric wires that the villagers put up to prevent boars, deer and monkeys in the mountain from eating their crops in the plantations. We saw lovely white plum blossoms which were blooming along the way. The natural atmosphere of the village made us feel so joyful that we didn’t feel tired. At the resting point, green tea and snacks were prepared for us. The snacks included a bite-sized piece of cane sugar, pickles 「漬物」, Gane 「がね」or vegetable tempura and also sweet potatoes mixed with glutinous flour which is the local food of Satsuma town. The sweetness of vegetables and sweet potatoes, the soft and sticky filling and the crispness of the outside were so delicious when eaten together with green tea.

At the historical spot, there were primary and secondary students who told us stories. Old people came out in front of their houses to encourage people who walked by. At the resting point, there were people dressed in different types of costumes who provoked laughter so that the participants enjoyed the trip and reached the destination without feeling tired.

When we reached the destination, a group of maids and butlers prepared Onigiri 「おにぎり」(Japanese rice balls) and Tongjiru soup「豚汁」 (a type of soup featuring Japanese radish, vegetables and pork, seasoned with Miso or Japanese bean paste) to wait for us. The rice which was planted in the village was given to every participant as a souvenir.

This mountain walk gave me a chance to exercise for health, to gain historical knowledge and to have a good feeling about the kindness of the villagers which impressed me and made me want to participate in such event again.