===(Highways Linking the [[Kantô plain]] and [[Echigo province]])===
===(Highways Linking the [[Kantô plain]] and [[Echigo province]])===
===[[Hokkoku Kaido]]北国街道===
===[[Hokkoku Kaido]]北国街道===
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(Jôshinetsu 上信越[ [[Kozuke province|Kôzuke]]-[[Shinano province|Shinano]]-Echigo] Expressway from Saku佐久 to Jôetsu上越; NR 18)
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(Jôshinetsu 上信越[ [[Kozuke province|Kôzuke]]-[[Shinano province|Shinano]]-Echigo] Expressway from Saku佐久 to Jôetsu上越; NR 18)
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The Hokkoku Kaidô starts at Oiwake 追分 (in Karuizawa) on the Nakasendô, shortly after the Nakasendô climbs out of the Kantô Plain via Usui Pass 碓氷峠 and enters [[Shinano province]]. It follows the Chikuma River 千曲川 west, downstream, passing through [[Komoro castle|Komoro]] 小諸, Unno-juku 海野宿 (which preserves many Edo-period buildings), and [[Ueda castle|Ueda]]上田. The region shortly after the Chikuma River turns sharply to the north and the Sai River enters is called Kawanakajima 川中島; it was the scene of several famous battles, especially the [[Second Battle of Kawanakajima| second]] and [[Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima|fourth battles of Kawanakajima]]. The castle of [[Kaizu castle|Kaizu]], later Matsushiro 松代, was near here. At Toyono 豊野 the highway leaves the Chikuma River and follows the Torii River upstream, eventually going through the 666 m. Nojiri Saka Pass 野尻坂峠 into Echigo. From there it goes north down the valley to Naoetsu 直江津 (Jôetsu) on the coast, where it joins the Hokurikudô.
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===[[Mikuni Kaido]]三国街道===
===[[Mikuni Kaido]]三国街道===
(Kanetsu 関越 [Kantô Plain-Echigo] Expressway; local Rd 36 and NR 17) Using Mikuni Pass
(Kanetsu 関越 [Kantô Plain-Echigo] Expressway; local Rd 36 and NR 17) Using Mikuni Pass