Yokohama Nishi Ward

Description

Strolling through Nishi-ward: Uekan-zaka Slope



Yokohama is a city with many slopes. I wonder how many small and big slopes Yokohama has. Names of slope depends on each slope. There are some slopes which has interesting origin including Naki-zaka slope in Midori-ward, Hikkoshi-zaka slope in Minami-ward and Kaino-zaka slope in Tsuzuki-ward. However, not many slopes were named after someone’s name. Only Gonbei-zaka slope in Kanagawa and Gonta-zaka slope in Hodogaya are named after people’s names. But it is said that those people are legendary persons with some different stories.



On that regard, this Uekan-zaka slope has an ancient and honorable origin. It was named after ancestor of gardener's store located in the middle of the slope. Now the owner is 7th generation. Suppose one generation lasts roughly 30 years, 7th generation is very long-established store in newly-developed land of Yokohama. When you go down the slope, you will find red gate Tofukuji Temple and on the way there used to be Tetsu Onsen (hot spring) in the past. When you climb up, you will see Noge mountain on your right and Kasumi-bashi bridge on your left which connects to Minami-ward.



Writing and picture by Tai Hasewaga (Nishi ward Cultural Association/Chairman of Kiko Society)



※This is a sketch and writing published in Yokohama Public Relation Nishi ward edition between November 1997 and April 2004. Please be noted that there’s a possibility that information in the article may be changed.



(Published October in 1999)