A new long-distance walking route has opened in Japan, and unlike most of the country's famous hikes, it's within easy reach of the capital. The Hitachinokuni Long Trail stretches 350 kilometres through northern Ibaraki Prefecture, linking six cities and towns in a single loop — the longest circular trail in the country.
The route was first announced back in 2019 by Ibaraki Prefecture and the Hitachi Province Trail Club, and the final section — 75 kilometres between the town of Daigo and the city of Hitachiomiya — was completed ahead of a full opening ceremony in Hitachiomiya on 19 September. Walkers now have a complete circuit threading through Kitaibaraki, Takahagi, Hitachi, Hitachiota, Hitachiomiya and Daigo.
What makes this trail distinctive is its use of "satoyama" — the traditional rural landscapes that sit between villages and mountains. Rather than a purely alpine undertaking, the route repeatedly dips into countryside and farmland before climbing back onto ridgelines. It incorporates existing mountain paths and hiking routes, with abandoned trails restored and reopened specifically for the project. The trail's organisers describe it as a "rural, regional, and environmental" route that passes through varied terrain, landscapes and historical sites rather than simply grinding through mountains.
Difficulty varies by section. The loop is divided into roughly five areas that can be hiked separately, and access from Tokyo takes around an hour and a half by train, car or expressway bus — making weekend section hikes entirely realistic. The central area, though, is flagged as one of the tougher parts, with sustained steep climbs and descents plus river crossings, so it's best left to experienced hikers.
The prefecture is clearly keen to put northern Ibaraki on the map. Adventure racer Yohei Tanaka was named the trail's official ambassador at the opening event, and governor Kazuhiko Oigawa told The Mainichi that the route showcases the region's nature, culture and history, with plans for more tours to draw visitors north.
For travellers, this is a genuinely useful alternative to Japan's often-crowded headline hikes. Ibaraki sits just northeast of Tokyo and sees a fraction of the international visitors who flock to Kumano Kodo or the Japanese Alps. You can sample a day or two of walking near the capital or commit to the full loop over several weeks, riding the train back to Tokyo whenever you've had enough. Sections near the coast and the more rural Daigo area suit casual walkers, while the challenging middle stretch will test anyone with mountain experience.
Anyone planning a trip should check the official Hitachinokuni Long Trail website for section maps and current conditions, as some of the restored paths are new facilities that are still settling in. Pack for changeable mountain weather even on the lowland stretches, and build in time for the small towns along the way — that mix of village life and ridge walking is exactly what the trail was designed around.
