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

Plan Price

Number of Guests	Cost per person
1	￥85,000
2	￥42,500

What's Included: ・Guide fee
・Handling fee

Not Included: ・Meals/beverages
・Trekking equipment

Set Dates: June 1– September 30:
Available spaces:
June 4, 11, 18
September 11, 18, 28

Excluded Dates: July 20 – August 31

Time Length: Approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes (including taxi travel time)

Meeting Place & Time

[Meeting Place]
Yama no Eki Kurikoma (150-7 Kamikoji, Kurikoma Iwagasaki, Kurihara, Miyagi 989-5301)

[Meeting Time]
7:30 am

Map

Min. # of Participants: 1 person

Max. # of Participants: 2 people
*For more than 2 people, please inquire.

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.

7:30am – Meet at Yama no Eki Kurikoma
7:30am – 8:10am
Travel by taxi to site
8:10am – 8:30am
History and overview of the trail (12.7km, approx. 6.5 hours)
Depart from the Sekai Yachi Parking Lot
8:30am – 10:00am
Sekai Yachi Wetland No.1 → Wetland No.2 → Daichimori (3.2km, approx. 90 min.)
10:00am – 10:10am
Break
10:10am – 12:00am
→Giant Thuja Tree (4km, approx. 100 min.)
12:00am – 12:40am
Lunch (Please bring your own)
12:40am – 1:50pm
→Yubama (3km, approx. 60 min.)
1:50pm – 2:00pm
Break
2:00pm – 3:00pm
→Miura Ryokan (2.5km, approx. 60 min)
3:20pm – 4:15pm
Return by taxi to meeting place (Yama no Eki Kurikoma), finished.

Necessary When Making a Reservation: 1. Desired date
2. Names of participants
3. Ages of participants
4. Contact information (representative’s contact information)

Other (Notes): -As there are no restrooms on the trail, please be sure to go before arrival.
-In regards to English language support, we can only accommodate guests provided they speak Japanese or are accompanied by an interpreter or a travel agency guide.
-Please bring your own hiking boots, rainwear, towels, hats, beverages, food (lunch), warm clothes, and change of clothes.
-Please be advised that for safety reasons, participation is limited to junior high school students and older.
-In the case that conditions such as weather or natural disasters are deemed hazardous, we may change, interrupt, or cancel the tour. In the event of cancellation, we will notify you by the day before.

Cancellation Policy: 20 ~ 8 business days prior to reservation: 20% of reservation fee
7 ~ 2 business days prior to reservation: 30% of reservation fee
1 business day prior to reservation: 50% of reservation fee
No-shows and day-of cancellations: 100% of reservation fee

Closing Date: 10 business days prior to desired date

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)

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)