Situated between the Central and Southern Japanese Alps, Shimoina has numerous hiking trails including a section of the famous Tosando, and the Achi Seven Summits, as well as other trails and waterfalls.
Meaning “East Mountain Road”, the Tosando（東山道）is one of Japan’s oldest trails, dating back over 1,300 years. It was used for imperial communication and control following the dissolution of the old clan system, connecting the imperial capital with the eastern and northern frontiers, stretching all the way to tip of modern Tohoku.
The section passing through Achi village in Shimoina includes the Misaka Pass, the highest point of the trail in ancient Shinano province, known both for the arduous ascent but also its natural beauty.
The pass is mentioned in the Tales of Genji, a masterwork of the imperial Heian Court considered to be Japan’s first novel, reflecting themes of distance from the capital and travel to the provinces.
The pass is also mentioned in the Manyoshu, a collection of poems started after the dissolution of the clans and the beginning of imperial rule, the most famous being the Misaka Pass Poem:
信濃道は 今の墾り道 刈りばねに 足踏ましむな 峰ろ走り雪
Shinano road — a newly cleared path;
Do not let your feet slip on the cut stubble;
Snow runs along the ridges.
Below the pass is the Misaka Shrine, where travellers would pray for safe passage before ascent or give thanks for successfully traversing the path. The shrine contains a monument celebrating the poems of the Manyoshu.
You can hike to the Misaka Pass from Achi Village, starting at the Tosando Visitor Centre, and then return on the same course. Alternatively you can start in Nakatsugawa in Gifu prefecture and hike over the pass, descending into Achi village and the visitor centre.
Achi Village Tosando Visitor Centre: https://www.hahakigi-kan.com/
(Japanese only, can be machine translated, has an Access page with map)
Achi village is also home to the Achi Seven Summits, which as the name suggests are seven peaks spread across the area, each with its own unique history and background. The trails are well-maintained and suitable even for casual hikers. One of the peaks, Ena-san, is listed in the 100 best summits of Japan, and the others are all listed in the best peaks of Nagano Prefecture.
The Achi Seven Summits are:
