{"id":170,"date":"2024-02-01T10:10:40","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T01:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shiono-michi.jp\/en\/?page_id=170"},"modified":"2026-03-17T12:28:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T03:28:23","slug":"course_oamitouge","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.shiono-michi.jp\/en\/course_oamitouge\/","title":{"rendered":"Oami Toge-goe Course"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
<\/a>\r\n

\r\n Oami Toge-goe Course<\/span><\/h2>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n <\/picture>\r\n
\r\n

\u25cfDifficulty: Advanced, suitable for strong walkers
\r\n \u25cfWalking Period: June to first snowfall
\r\n \u25cfTotal Length: Approximately 10 km (Oami Suwa-jinja \u2192 Yokokawa-no-Tsuribashi \u2192 Oami Toge \u2192 Shiro-ike \u2192 Yamaguchi)
\r\n \u25cfTime Required: About 5 hours 10 minutes from south to north \/ About 5 hours 10 minutes from north to south
\r\n <\/p>\r\n

Highlights
\r\n \u25cfEnjoy the idyllic Oami settlement and views of Mt. Amakazari
\r\n \u25cfObserve the peaceful expressions on the faces of Oami\u2019s Roku Jizo
\r\n \u25cfCross the suspension bridge above the clear waters of the Yokokawa river
\r\n \u25cfTrek through the beautiful beech forest surrounding the Oami mountain pass
\r\n \u25cfSpy the emerald green waters of the Kakuma-ike and Shiro-ike ponds
\r\n \u25cfBrowse the period photos and antique items on display at the Yamaguchi Salt Road Museum\r\n <\/p>\r\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n <\/div>\r\n
\r\n \r\n
\r\n
\r\n

The Oami Toge-goe Course is Otari\u2019s showcase route and the one that people list time and time again as their favorite. Unlike other sections of the more contemporary Chikuni Kaido, this one is comparatively isolated, rugged, and harder to access, but worth the time and hassle if you can handle challenging climbs and technical trails. The sleepy settlement of Oami, once a bustling hub of activity, is lovely in its own right, but the real draw is the nature. This course takes you on beautiful trails past waterfalls, through pristine beech forests, and along the edge of crystal-clear ponds before concluding with sweeping views of the Sea of Japan and the surrounding mountains. Here, more than anywhere else, you feel as if you\u2019re stepping into a Salt Road time capsule.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/section>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
\r\n

Elevation Profile<\/h2>\r\n
\"Elevation\r\n <\/div>\r\n

*This course travels on steep terrain through a remote area, so please pack and plan accordingly, and be sure to give yourself ample time to finish the walk.\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/section>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n

Access<\/h2>\r\n

By Car<\/b>
Parking is available at the southern end of the course using the parking lot for the Hiraiwa Ideyu-no-Hiroba, while the Fossa Magna Park parking lot can be used at the northern end.
\r\nFor further inquiries, please contact the Itoigawa City Hall at +81 (0)25-552-1511.

\r\n

By Train<\/b>
Hiraiwa Station \u2190 10 min walk \u2192 Himekawa-no-Hyochu (Marker) \u2190 Shionomichi (Salt Road) \u2192 Oami Suwa-jinja \u2190 Shionomichi (Salt Road) \u2192 Oami Toge \u2190 Shionomichi (Salt Road) \u2192 Shionomichi Shiryo-kan \/ Yamaguchi Sekisyo-ato \u2190 10 min by bus \u2192 Nechi Shindo Bus Stop \u2190 5 min walk \u2192 Nechi Station

\r\n\r\nTaxi: about 10 min between Hiraiwa Station and Nechi station.Please confirm the fare when arranging a taxi.
\r\nOtari Kanko Taxi
\r\nTel: 0261-82-2045\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/section>\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\r\n

Historical Landmarks & Points of Interest<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Oami-juku<\/p>\r\n The Oami settlement was once a critical stop on the Salt Road. As the first settlement along the route located on the Shinshu<\/a> (Nagano) side of the pass, it featured accommodations for porters and oxen handlers, served as a busy cargo relay station, and harbored a checkpoint for the inspection of goods and collection of taxes.<\/span>\r\n <\/dt>\r\n <\/dl>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n

Oami-no-Roku Jizo<\/p>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/dt>\r\n

\"Oami-no-Roku<\/dd>\r\n <\/dl>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Yokokawa-no-Tsuribashi<\/p>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/dt>\r\n

\"Yokokawa-no-Tsuribashi\"<\/dd>\r\n <\/dl>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Oami Toge<\/p>\r\n This 840m mountain pass was one of the most dangerous and demanding obstacles for the men, women, and animals that walked the Shionomichi. As such, there were several teahouses and inns below the pass to serve travelers passing through this unforgiving section.<\/span>\r\n <\/dt>\r\n <\/dl>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n

Kakuma-no-Dohyo<\/p>\r\n This original trail marker is inscribed with “Right, Matsumoto Kaido Oami \/ Left, Nakaya-do Yokokawa.”<\/span>\r\n <\/dt>\r\n <\/dl>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n

Shiro-ike<\/p>\r\n <\/span>\r\n <\/dt>\r\n

\"Shiro-ike\"<\/dd>\r\n <\/dl>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

Bokka Yado-ato<\/p>\r\n A former porter lodge once stood here. However, a massive avalanche in 1824 crushed the building, causing the deaths of 21 people who were staying at the inn. A Jizo statue built in memory of the deceased used to be located here has since been moved to the Yamaguchi area.<\/span>\r\n <\/dt>\r\n <\/dl>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n

Ippon-sugi \/ Ozai-no-Kami<\/p>\r\n A statue of a Sai-no-Kami border god is enshrined here at the base of a large cedar tree. This beautiful grassy outlook with views of the Nechi Valley and surrounding mountains is a wonderful rest spot on the final approach to Yamaguchi.<\/span>\r\n <\/dt>\r\n <\/dl>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n

Yamaguchi Sekisho-ato<\/p>\r\n This was once an important location along the Chikuni Kaido that was the site of the Echigo<\/a> (Niigata) side\u2019s official Salt Road checkpoint. Today, only an unassuming monument marking the site remains.<\/span>\r\n <\/dt>\r\n <\/dl>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/section>\r\n<\/main>\r\n