To-ie is a small village where monorails connect houses.
From the station facing the national highway that passes the valley beneath To-ie, thin rails branch off and reach at each house. Roads in the village had been planned by the advent of motorization. But those did not come true due to the opposition of a farm family who disliked ceding a part of its farmland for a road. Instead, monorails were introduced. We often find a monorail for one farm in the Shikoku Mountains, but this village is the only place where the monorail makes a network. A monorail carriage is usually only a pedestal. Meanwhile, in To-ie, a peculiar carriage with an elegant roof is seen.
Since it belongs to private land, the expedition is allowed only in "To-ie Walking" held twice a year. The monorail is for residents only, so participants must walk around the mountains. Visitors notice the monorail, but since no road had been constructed, the old village structure connected by the walkways remains. There was only one resident when visiting, and the others did living-out farming. What surprised me was that I met a postman and a power company employee on the way. They walk about on foot to deliver mails and check an electricity meter, spending a few hours.
A neighbor invited me to ride his private monorail. It was a thrilling experience with enjoyment as going to an amusement park to farm.
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