Travellers to Japan can now walk 350 kilometres across six municipalities on the Hitachinokuni Long Trail, Japan's longest loop trail through the northern Ibaraki Prefecture. The route fully opened at a ceremony in Hitachiomiya on 19 September.
Walkers pass through the cities of Kitaibaraki, Takahagi, Hitachi, Hitachiota and Hitachiomiya and the town of Daigo, using satoyama – rural landscapes that cross between villages and mountains. The opening of the final 75-kilometre section between Daigo and Hitachiomiya marks the end of building the path, which was first announced by the Ibaraki Prefecture and the Hitachi Province Trail Club in 2019.
Hitachinokuni crosses existing mountain trails and hiking routes, with abandoned paths restored and reopened as part of the project. The trail's website says it is a "rural, regional, and environmental" trail that takes walkers through diverse terrains, landscapes and historical sites, repeatedly visiting both rural areas and mountains.
Access to the path starts around one-and-a-half hours from Tokyo, with options to travel by train, car or expressway bus. The circular route is divided into roughly five areas and can be hiked in sections. The central area is described as "one of the more challenging sections", with continuous steep ascents and descents and river crossings, "making it suitable for experienced hikers".
Professional adventure racer Yohei Tanaka was appointed by Ibaraki Prefecture as the "Hitachi Province Long Trail Ambassador" at the trail's opening event. Ibaraki governor Kazuhiko Oigawa said: "The route has turned out to allow people to experience the beauty of Ibaraki to the fullest. We want to offer more tours that allow visitors to experience the area's wonderful nature, culture and history, and attract people to northern Ibaraki," reported Japanese newspaper The Mainichi.