Historic Highway Hiking Tour in the Forests of Echigo-Yuzawa
Overview
Enjoy the beautiful green season in Echigo-Yuzawa, with a guided hike along the Mikuni Kaido, an ancient historic highway. You’ll learn about local history and nature from your guide, as you hike 6 kilometers of lush green mountain trails once used by the region’s famed warlord Kenshin Uesugi.
Highlights
- Walk broad mountain trails accessible to hikers of all levels
- Learn about the local history of Echigo-Yuzawa from your English-speaking guide
- Pass through an old post town with a timeless aura
- See traditional teahouses and moss-covered stone pavements
- Enjoy the ambiance of Kaikake Onsen, an ancient hot spring spa
Key Information
Description
Echigo-Yuzawa is best known as a mecca for winter sports and hot springs. But in the “green season,” it boasts some wonderful hidden hiking experiences! On the Mikuni Kaido, one of Japan’s ancient highways, you can connect with a slice of history while learning about the local nature and culture on a beautiful, secluded three-hour walk. This route was also once an important road, famously utilized by Uesugi Kenshin, a key figure in Japan’s Warring States period. With the modernization of Japan, the Mikuni Kaido has become a broad, quiet mountain trail, perfect for novice hikers and even off-road wheelchair users, with a sense of ancient history about it. On this tour, an English-speaking guide will introduce you to the hidden beauty of Echigo-Yuzawa. The tranquil trails, clear running water, carpets of moss, and venerable structures will take you back in time as you walk in the footsteps of Uesugi Kenshin. At the end of the hike, you’ll arrive at Kaikake Onsen, a remote hot spring spa said to have been used by the warlord himself.