Looking down the valley (Photo: Matthew Shewchuk)

Walking in the Shadow of Tanigawa

Snow Country Trail

C. Rio   - 1 min read

This section of the Snow Country Trail follows the old Route 291.  In its heyday, this was one of the main trade routes from the east coast of Japan to the west coast.  Goods were transported over this trail for hundreds of years, making the grueling 3 day journey over the mountain pass.  In present day, it only transports the occasional hiker from Gunma over to Niigata.  I started this hike from the base of Tanigawadake and followed 291 as it traversed its flanks, slowly rising out of the valley.  The trail starts out wide and flat but quickly narrows into a single track.

C. Rio

C. Rio @matthew.shewchuk

Based out of Minakami, where I work as a canyoning guide.  I love hiking and am always looking to the skies for good weather.