Yokohama Nishi Ward

Description

The steep slope next to “The 7th Yurindo Book Store” at Fujidanacho intersection going up, down, up and down in the direction of Noge is Shirikosurizaka Hill (Butt Rubbing Hill).
Since I was a child, I used to go up this slope to go to Nogeyama Amusement Park (which is no longer there), Nogeyama Park and Yokohama City Central Library.
In the middle of the Meiji period, water pipes were buried underground to deliver drinking water from Sagami River to Yokohama city, so this is a road for waterworks. Even today, water from Nishiya Water Treatment Plant is carried under this slope.
When I stand at the top of the slope, I feel that it is too steep. It is said that the slope was named Shirikosurizaka Hill (Butt Rubbing Hill) because people pulling carts had to support them with their buttocks when going down in the old days. Now, local people just call it a “steep slope”.
While I’m sketching at the bottom of the slope, I heard lions barking from the Nogeyama Zoo nearby. When I finish sketching, I will go see the lions.

Title, picture and writing by Taro Suzuki
※This is a sketch and writing published in Yokohama Public Relation Nishi ward edition since June 2013. Please be noted that there’s a possibility that information in the article may be changed.

(Published in June 2022)