1Nisaka-toge Pass

Nisaka-toge Pass

For beginners

Walking time
2 hours 30 minutes

Distance
Around 7.5km (from Taiki Town to Kihoku Town)

sea level
241m

Route features

This became the main gateway to Kii Province after roads leading to Kii Province were established in the mid-Edo period during the rule of Tokugawa Yoshimune. This is a fairly easy route to walk due to its gentle slopes and wide pathways. Upon crossing the pass, your eyes will be met with a wealth of flora, including many maple trees and ferns, making it a scenic walk with changing colors and scenery through the seasons.

Route highlights

Ikoi Rock

Travellers would often sit on this rock to take a rest, hence its name, which means 'rest' in Japanese. This is located at a breezy ridge, making it a great place to stop for a short break.

Rhododendron Path

The clusters of rhododendron flowers blooming in April and May against the fresh green leaves of spring are a spectacular sight to behold. This thicket of trees is a great spot to enjoy the changing scenery through the seasons.

Okimi-daira

This is a rest stop with a great view. A wooden board with two lines of a poem by Bokushi Suzuki, an Edo period travel writer, can be found here.

Shishigaki

After emerging from the forest path, you will find remnants of stones piled up along the path. This was used as a barrier to protect crops from wild boars and deer.

Route map