Japan's longest loop trail opens in northern Ibaraki Pref.

HITACHIOMIYA, Ibaraki -- The Hitachinokuni Long Trail, a 350-kilometer route winding through forests and mountain village landscapes in northern Ibaraki Prefecture, has officially opened to hikers. Located northeast of Tokyo, the trail passes through six municipalities including Kitaibaraki, Takahagi, Hitachi, Hitachiota, Hitachiomiya, and Daigo.

During the opening ceremony on September 19, at the Miwa community center in Hitachiomiya, Ibaraki Governor Kazuhiko Oigawa expressed optimism for the trail. He highlighted the opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the region's natural beauty, culture, and history, and attract more tourists to northern Ibaraki.

The project, initiated in 2019, was spearheaded by the Hitachinokuni Trail Club, a volunteer group of around 1,000 members commissioned by the prefectural government. The club utilized existing mountain trails, hiking routes, and paths between rural fields, while also restoring abandoned paths and establishing new ones.

As of fiscal 2026, the last 75-kilometer segment between Daigo and Hitachiomiya was completed, fully connecting the trail. A poll conducted by the Japan Long Trail Association in 2025 found the Hitachinokuni Long Trail as the trail most desired by its 29 member trails.

The ceremony also saw attendance from the mayors of the involved municipalities and adventure racer Yoki Tanaka, who was appointed an ambassador for the trail. Tanaka, 43, emphasized the trail's appeal, noting how walking it can stimulate all five senses and reveal new perspectives on familiar scenery.

Inaugural hikers, including Tanaka, embarked on a approximately 1.5-kilometer route to the summit of Mount Shakujo, standing at 511.5 meters above sea level. Tanaka vowed to complete the entire 350-kilometer trail on foot someday, eager to fully experience the journey.

Ikuo Wada, 59, president of outdoor equipment retailer Namche Bazar in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, proposed the project. He expressed excitement about the trail's completion, but felt it was only just beginning to bring the region's value to life in collaboration with the six local municipalities.