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Hitachinokuni 
The Hitachinokuni Long Trail, located in the northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture at the northern tip of the Kanto region, connects the mountains and villages of six cities and towns with one road. This single trail takes visitors through the region's archetypal Japanese scenes, guiding them through mountain ranges, diverse terrain, spectacular views, and historical remains in an integrated tour. While discovering new things, you will encounter landscapes that remind you of the past and the villagers' lives nestled in quaint surroundings. These experiences, accessible only by foot, will leave you with unimaginable memories without actually walking the trail.
The Hitachinokuni Long Trail, which is approximately 320 km long, is continually being developed to open it to traffic in its entirety.
The loop course, which circles around the northern region of Ibaraki Prefecture and can be started from anywhere, encompasses a variety of spectacular natural scenery, including mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and the sea. The course also features gentle village landscapes in proximity to cities, providing a trail where visitors can encounter rich nature and inherited historical culture.
The easily accessible trail, allowing visitors to visit mountains and villages repeatedly, helps visitors rediscover the fascinating aspects of northern Ibaraki Prefecture that are hidden from the crowds.
*Six cities and towns in northern Ibaraki Prefecture: Hitachi City, Hitachiota City, Takahagi City, Kitaibaraki City, Hitachi-Omiya City, and Daigo Town
*The total length of the Hitachinokuni Long Trail (approx. 320 km) is the current planned distance.
*The image of the Hitachinokuni Long Trail course includes segments that are not open yet.
Walk in the mountains, encounter unknown and spectacular scenery, and descend into the villages to experience people's lives and the history that has been woven over the centuries. Meandering through the woods near habitats in the abundant greenery of the mountains and the gentle atmosphere of the villages, you will fill your body with healing power and experience the true richness that has been nurtured here since immemorial time. We will provide you with a fulfilling model tour to travel the Hitachinokuni Long Trail.
The adventure around the Hitachinokuni Long Trail begins with a challenging mountain walk. You will enjoy hiking through mountain trails full of thrills and adventurous spirit, walking around Mt. Namase-Fuji and Mt. Tachigami with their continuous spectacular views, overlooking the famous Fukuroda Falls from above, and experiencing the traces of ancient underwater volcanoes and major crustal movements along the trails. Once you descend the mountain and arrive at the quaint village, you will discover the history that has been woven into this land and the rich flavors of homegrown treats, thanks to its bounty.
If you head for the mountains, Mt. Okukuji-Nantai, once a place of ascetic practices, awaits you. You may be able to sense the divinity of the mountain that has been watching over the region with its rugged form. After a long day of walking in the woods surrounding the villages, warm your body in the hot spring, sit around the campfire at OKUKUJI BASE CAMP, and gaze up at the night sky to immerse yourself in the wonder of the distant stars.
On the second day of the tour, we will visit the countryside near the roadside, which has a different charm from the Mt. Okukuji area explored on the first day. Located east of the Tanagura Fault, Kuroiso Bakke is a cliff area created by the effects of ancient tectonic movements. After enjoying the spectacular view of the foothill village, descend to the townhouse area you were overlooking and get a sense of the village's history, which flourished as a post town on the old Tanagura Avenue. If you continue further along the old street while enjoying the quirky remains, you can have a meal in an old private house that retains its nostalgic charm. Experience the peaceful life and thoughts of the villagers while enjoying delicious rice cooked on a traditional stove and a feast that makes full use of the local produce. At the entrance to the mountain from the road, a path along a series of waterfalls leads you to the next step of your journey. Walking alongside the roar, splash, and clear stream, you can feel the power of nature filling your inner self. In the evening, warm up in the alkaline sulfur hot spring, which boasts one of the highest concentrations in Japan, and feel the power of the earth as it beautifies your skin and rejuvenates your spirit.
On the last day, we will visit Nishikanasuna-jinja Shrine, which sits atop a cliff. The spectacular view from the cliffs protected by the shrine is an unforgettable experience that can only be appreciated by climbing it. With its long history and steep terrain, Nishikanasuna-jinja Shrine was also a center of mountain worship in the region. Since ancient times, the shrine has carried on the tradition of the "Taisairei," a Shinto ritual that takes place only once every 72 years. In the Shinto ritual "Kanasuna-jinja Shrine Isode Taisairei," the deities make a round trip with a large procession from Kanasuna-jinja Shrine to Mizuki Beach in Hitachi, facing the Pacific Ocean. We will walk along this path, along which the gods also travel, and visit the Kegano district, which has long supported and handed down these rituals. The three-day trip will conclude in the village that has preserved its history, having the exquisite "Hitachi Aki Soba" produced in the area and lingering over the sensation of the adventure.
