MODEL TOUR
A Journey along the Hitachinokuni Long Trail: Awakening Ancient Sensitivity
3-Day/2-Night Model Tour
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.
Hit the Trails to Feel the Breath of Ancient Times
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.
Gendarme
Namase-Fuji, aka "Ibaraki's Gendarme," with its steep ridges that inspire a sense of adventure.
OKUKUJI BASE CAMP
Spend a fulfilling night hearing the river flow and firewood crackle at a campsite with a spectacular view of mountains and rivers all around you.
Explore the spectacular “Kuroiso Bakke” and experience the traditional life
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.
Kuroiso Bakke
A cliff area cut right next to the village that watches over and its people's comings and goings
Usubazawa Falls
The trail that walks by many waterfalls was once called the "salt road" that brought seafood inland
The view from Nishikanasuna-jinja Shrine, unchanged for 1,200 years
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.
Nishikanasuna-jinja Shrine
A shrine with a unique history that was used as a mountain castle by warlords in the Middle Ages
Hitachi Aki Soba
The title "Hitachi Aki Soba" is granted only to soba that meets strict standards for taste and cultivation conditions, serving as a sign of excellence.