Across a Thousand Years – Trekking the Kurikoma Kodo Ancient Trail

The Kurikoma Kodo, an ancient trail from Miyagi to Akita with over 1,000 years of history, was walked by everyone from the native Tohoku people (“Emishi”), metalworkers and miners, to mountain ascetics and hunters (“matagi”). Rich in untouched nature, it features a primeval beech forest and a 1,000-year-old Thuja tree (“Kurobe”).
In addition to the alpine plants and vibrant fall foliage unique to Japan, this trek offers a profound experience of the ancient trail's history, including mountain ascetics (“Shugendo”) and mountain worship.

Details

Map

Supported Languages: Japanese, English

Plan Details: The Kurikoma Kodo, an ancient trail from Miyagi to Akita with over 1,000 years of history, was walked by everyone from the native Tohoku people (“Emishi”), metalworkers and miners, to mountain ascetics and hunters (“matagi”). Rich in untouched nature, it features a primeval beech forest and a 1,000-year-old Thuja tree (“Kurobe”).
In addition to the alpine plants and vibrant fall foliage unique to Japan, this trek offers a profound experience of the ancient trail’s history, including mountain ascetics (“Shugendo”) and mountain worship.

Course Details

The Kurikoma Kodo is an historic road where people’s lives and nature intersected, from ancient history to modern times. Its origins are old, from the Heian Period, when Abe no Sadato used it during the Later Three Years’ War.

It also existed as a nature road, walked by the native people of Tohoku “Emishi” as well as mountain ascetics and hunters.

In the Edo Period, the Date Clan named it “Uwahane Road,” and it flourished as a key transportation hub with the establishment of post stations, rest houses, and guardhouses protecting the domain border.

In the Meiji Period, it became known as the “Ugoki Highway,” and though it was designated a prefectural road, it fell into disrepair with the changing times.

Now, called the Kurikoma Kodo (“Kurikoma Ancient Road”), it’s valued for its history.

The greatest appeal of this road lies in the fact that its original form from a thousand years ago remains, distinctly preserved.

In the middle of the primeval beech forest are “Ichiritsuka” milestones (large earthen mounds marking “1 ri,” approx. 3.927km intervals) and stone markers. While enjoying the four seasons of Mt. Kurikoma’s treasure trove of wild alpine flowers, soak in the abundant nature and history of the Kurikoma Ancient Trail, carved out by the passing of a thousand years.

Operating Company: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Federation, Public Interest Incorporated Association
Address: Miyagi Prefectural Office 14th Floor
3-8-1, Honcho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan 980-8570
Tel: +81-22-221-1864　Fax: +81-22-211-2829
Email: dmo@miyagi-kankou.or.jp
Business Days: Monday to Friday
Business Hours: 8:30 am – 5:15 pm (JST)

Reservation Contact: The Hidden Japan LLC
Yamagata City Office
Q1 Creative Center 1-A
1 Chome-5-19 Honcho, Yamagata, 990-0043
Business Days: Monday to Friday
Business Hours: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm (JST)
Homepage: https://thehiddenjapan.com/

Inquiries: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Federation, Public Interest Incorporated Association
Address: Miyagi Prefectural Office 14th Floor
3-8-1, Honcho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan 980-8570
Tel: +81-22-221-1864　Fax: +81-22-211-2829
Email: dmo@miyagi-kankou.or.jp
Business Days: Monday to Friday
Business Hours: 8:30 am – 5:15 pm (JST)