Tourists are offered a new way to see the country near Tokyo without crowds and hustle and bustle.
In Japan, a 350‑kilometre hiking trail has fully opened to travellers, passing through six municipalities near the capital. This is reported by The Independent.
The Hitachinokuni Long Trail route has become the longest ring trail in the country, running through the northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture. The official launch took place at a ceremonial event in the city of Hitachinomiya after the completion of the final 75‑kilometer stretch. The project was jointly developed by local authorities and the Hitachi Province Trail Club since 2019.
The route covers the cities of Kitaibari, Takahagi, Hitachi, Hitachiohta, Hitachi‑Omiya, and the village of Daigo. Tourists will walk through “satoyama” zones – traditional rural landscapes at the junction of villages and mountains. To achieve this, experts have combined existing mountain trails and restored long‑abandoned crossings.
As indicated on the route’s website:
“The Hitachi Province Long Trail is not just a long distance trek through long mountainous terrain, it is a’ rural, regional and ecological ‘ trail that takes you on a journey through a variety of landscapes, landforms and historical sites, constantly alternating between villages and mountains.”
You can get to the location in about an hour and a half from Tokyo by train, car, or express bus. The entire ring is divided into five zones, so you can cover it step by step. At the same time, the central part of the route is suitable mainly for well‑prepared hikers due to the long, steep ascents, descents, and water crossings.
The new location has been endorsed by professional extreme racer Yohei Tanaka, and the region’s authorities are counting on an influx of nature lovers from all over the world.
“We aim to offer more tours that will allow visitors to experience the magnificent nature, culture, and history of this region, as well as to attract people to the northern part of Ibaraki,” the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi quotes the prefectural governor, Kazuhiko Oigawa, as saying.
New railway routes
Earlier, we wrote that a direct train has been launched between the Swedish city of Malmö and the Norwegian Oslo, which covers the distance in 6.5 hours without any transfers. The red train operated by Snälltåget runs along the picturesque western coast of Sweden, with stops in Varberg and Gothenburg, and tickets start at 11 pounds one way. Since its launch this summer, more than 25,000 passengers have already used the route.
Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.
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