We have been commissioned by Kiso Town’s Tourism Bureau to carry out the “2024 Old Hida Highway/Shiroyama Historical Forest Walking Route Information Dissemination Project,” and the first on-site survey was conducted over four days from Sunday 20th October to Wednesday 23rd.

The aim of this project is to resolve the recent issue of overtourism on certain routes, and to actually walk the “almost lost original Hida Highway” that lies dormant in Kiso Fukushima, and to detail a walking route that includes first-hand information on nearby accommodations, sightseeing spots, dining options, and other utilities which are useful for tourists. In addition, the plan is to contribute to the growing demand for the old Hida Kaido by creating an up to date and detailed print and digital maps.

We carefully checked the old Hida Highway with our guide Koshi, also famously known as the Nakasendo Monster, who is making tremendous efforts to promote the old Hida Highway as much as he can to everyone both domestically and internationally.

Kiso town is dotted abundantly with all sorts of that have retained their deep and rich histories, including traditional houses owned by the wealthiest of ancient Kiso society and old wells that have maintained the same appearance as when they were used all those many years ago. Further, Kiso Town is packed full of amazing and useful tourist resources which rival the already established tourist sites of the Nakayama Road.

We crossed four passes over the span of two days, and all the scenery we encountered along the way was truly spectacular, with stunningly clear views of Mt Ontake towering over us from afar.

Some of the old Hida Highway has been maintained, while other parts have become overgrown with paths that have almost disappeared from public view. The numerous protective stone Buddha statues are a reminder of the trail’s original appearance which was almost lost.

There are many stone Buddha groups scattered along the old Hida Highway, and we believe that tracing their historical purpose and story is one of the most fascinating aspects of the trail.

One particular stone Buddha with a sad legend attached to a ‘match-making tree’, which is an intertwined maple tree and a codling tree, also makes visitors ponder over the mysteries of the trail’s mythology.

Other highlights include the Jizo Pass, where Jizo statues wearing red woollen hats knitted by volunteers watch over you, as well as a meander around the stone Buddha of Tenku-no-sato.

It is our mission and promise to do whatever we can to make it well known across world the fact that long ago, merchants and many other people walked this road to pass in and out of the mountains, the stories of the stone Buddha groups, and the thoughts and histories of those who pioneered the Hida Highway.