If you do not know about it, you are about to pass by! A unique scenery where there is the prefectural boundary of “Yamagata Prefecture on the left” and “Niigata Prefecture on the right” in one village! From Nezugaseki in Yamagata Prefecture.

“Nezugaseki” in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, is located on the prefectural boundary of Yamagata Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture. Since a long time ago, in Nezugaseki, the “Nezu no Seki Barrier,” the Checkpoints has been established to prevent the invasion of “Emishi” (the name of people living in the north from the view of Imperial Court) .

Along with the “Shirakawa no Seki Barrier” (Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture) and “Nakoso no Seki Barrier” (Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture), it is called the“Three Checkpoints of Ou”, and was considered important. Also, there is “Legend of Yoshitsune” remains, which is at the end of the Heian period (12th century), Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who chased from his brother Minamoto no Yoritomo landed by the boat from “Sasakawanagare” (the beach in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture).

In the Kabuki play “Kanjincho,” Benkei reads out the Kanjincho at “Ataka no Seki Barrier” in Kaga Province (present-day Ishikawa Prefecture), but when he is recognized as Yoshitsune’s party, Benkei quickly strikes Yoshitsune several times with his Khakkhara Cane and is able to pass the checkpoint thanks to the sympathy of Togashi Saemon, the checkpoint guard.

However, in “Legend of Yoshitsune” of Nezugaseki, it is said that the event of “Kanjincho” took place at “Nezugaseki (Nezu no Seki Barrier).” By the way, from Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture to Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, many people have the same family name as the checkpoint guard, Togashi.

The two villages of “Nezugaseki” in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, and “Igureno” in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, are connected like one village. The prefectural boundary intertwined along with the houses, and it makes people feel as if the border is in the village. There is a stone monument of the “Site of Ancient Nezu no Seki Barrier” nearby.

The site of the barrier abolished in Meiji era (mid-19 century) is called the “Modern site of Nezu no Seki Barrier.” The Sakai clan, who is the lord of the Shonai domain, moved it from the “Ancient Nezu no Seki Barrier” after the Edo period (from17 century).

It said that “Nezu no Matsu (pine tree of Nezu)” is about 400 years old and grows from a bonsai pine tree planted to the ground.

“Nezugaseki Lighthouse” in Bentenjima Island is a lighthouse that has been certificated as “Sanctuary of lovers” by the Nippon Romantist Association. There is a promenade equipped. The sunset seen from there is fantastic.

Access to Nezugaseki (Nezugaseki Lighthouse)

It takes about 2 hours from JR Tokyo Station to JR Niigata Station by Joetsu Shinkansen. Transfer to JR Hakushin Line/JR Uetsu Main Line at JR Niigata Station to get to JR Nezugaseki Station in about 2 hours. About 10 minute-walk from JR Nezugaseki Station.