Walking Along the Tadami Line: Trekking the Historic Numata Kaido in Mishima Town

On October 31, 2020, Mishima Town hosted its 5th annual trekking event along the historic 11km Numata Kaido route. Despite limited capacity due to the pandemic, approximately 30 participants safely enjoyed a 7-hour scenic journey through autumn foliage from Takiya Station to Miyashita Station.

The journey begins on the 9:11 AM Tadami Line train from Aizu-Miyashita Station to Takiya Station. It is a delightful start as more participants join from Aizu-Nishikata and Aizu-Hinohara stations along the way, making the train ride feel like a fun gathering before the trek.

Upon stepping off the train at Takiya Station, participants are immediately greeted by the breathtaking view of the Takiya River Bridge. With the autumn leaves nearing their peak colors, it serves as the perfect scenic welcome to the start of the trek.

Before entering the trail, we visited the Takiya Fuketsu storehouse, which maintains a natural temperature of 6∘C even in midsummer. Once used to preserve silkworm eggs, it is now used to age soba noodles and sake for enhanced flavor—and it is even said to have skin-beautifying effects!

The trek heads into the mountain trails under the warm autumn sun. The route includes a steep climb using chains to reach the site of the former Gankoku-jo Castle, where participants carefully navigated the terrain to successfully reach the summit.

After descending back to the Takiya area, participants enjoyed a lunch break featuring local specialties like "Imojiru" (potato soup) and "Sagohachi-zuke" (pickled vegetables). These handmade dishes, crafted from fresh local produce, warmed both the hearts and appetites of the trekkers.

A short detour to the mountain summits reveals spectacular views of autumn foliage, local villages, and the Tadami River bridges. These vantage points once served as signal fires and mountain forts, making this trail a journey rich in history as well as beauty.

After leaving the mountain trails, the path leads through local villages toward the finish line at Miyashita Station. It is a peaceful walk that allows trekkers to soak in the atmosphere of the town before concluding their journey.
While these roads are familiar to local residents, their beauty shifts with the seasons and the company of those you walk with. Every trek offers a fresh perspective, revealing new charms along the well-trodden paths of the town.
Walking these historic paths once again may have led to new and unexpected discoveries. Even on a familiar trail, taking the time to explore on foot allows for a deeper appreciation of the hidden details and stories embedded in the landscape.

After watching the train pass from the "Three Arch Bridge Brothers" viewpoint, the group arrived at Aizu-Miyashita Station just after 4:00 PM. Congratulations to everyone on completing this rewarding seven-hour walking journey through history and nature.

This year, we were joined by Ryu Katsumata, an expert hiker with extensive experience in trekking both in Japan and abroad. Serving as a course monitor, he provided professional insights while trekking alongside the group to help evaluate the trail.
The Ministry of the Environment and Fukushima Prefecture are currently collaborating on a project to develop new trail courses within and around the natural parks of the Aizu region. This initiative aims to highlight the area's stunning natural landscapes and promote sustainable outdoor tourism.
The areas along the Tadami River and the Tadami Line are designated as the Tadami-Yanaizu Prefectural Natural Park. This region is a treasure trove of rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in untouched nature.
Ryu Katsumata and other experts joined this trek as course monitors to evaluate the Numata Kaido route. Their participation will provide valuable feedback for utilizing this historic path as a reference for future trail projects in the region.

Profile: Ryu Katsumata :
Ryu Katsumata is a hiker at the Trailblaze Hiking Research Institute and a staff member at "Hiker's Depot," a hiking gear shop in Mitaka, Tokyo. Having completed the Appalachian Trail in the U.S., he is an expert on both domestic and international trails. He is also well-versed in hiking culture and history, and authored the "Planning Guide to the John Muir Trail" (Highland Designs).

In his closing remarks, Ryu Katsumata highlighted the fascinating contrast between the Satoyama mountains and local villages. He noted that the warm interactions with residents and the deep love for the town—shown by both the volunteers who maintain the paths and the participants themselves—were the true highlights of the journey.

Read More: Impressions and Travel Notes by Hiker Ryu Katsumata

We look forward to hosting this event again next year and hope to welcome even more participants. We invite you to join us in discovering the beauty of Mishima Town’s remarkable historic paths and scenic landscapes together.

■Event Flyer: 2020 Numata Kaido Trekking

○Contact Information
　Mishima Town Tourism Association
　214-5 Miyashita, Miyashita, Mishima Town, Onuma District, Fukushima Prefecture 969-7511, Japan
　TEL: 0241-48-5000 / FAX: 0241-42-7072
　Website https://www.town.mishima.fukushima.jp/site/kankou/
　Email mishima@oboe.ocn.ne.jp