Kamimobetsu Ekitei 上藻別駅逓

　　I had heard of "Kamimobetsu Ekitei" from my friend who lives in Monbetsu City a few weeks before this trip. "Kamimobetsu" is the name of a place and I had wrote about "Ekitei" before (link). Ekitei had contributed to the development of the fabric of society in the 19th and early 20th century of Hokkaido by conducting the transportation of burdens and mail, offering accommodations, and serving meals not only for humans but for horses. During my investigation of the Ekitei, I knew of Kounomai Village, in which Kamimobetsu Ekitei was located and which had all but evaporated at present. I wanted to see how the village looked.

駅逓とは、明治から昭和初期まで北海道辺地の交通補助機関として、宿泊、人馬継立、郵便などの業務を行った制度。その運営者は、駅逓取扱人（半官半民）。上藻別駅逓はこの地域に住む人々の生活を守ってきた。制度は昭和２１年に廃止された。紋別に住むフェイスブック繋がりの知人の情報でこの場所を知り訪れた。このあと、ものすごい発見が続く。