The former Uzen Kaido (Road)
Nature
A historical road with nature
The former Uzen Kaido is a historical road connecting the present Zao Machimiya - Nagano – Shihou Pass - Kawasaki Chou, and Sasaya Pass. It is said that this road was already used in the Heian period (8 Century to 11 Century). The traditional traces still remain in the mountain road, and it is filled with the history of Zao Town. From the lookout, you can view the Pacific Ocean far away on a sunny day.
Although it is still used almost as it used to be, most parts of the former Uzen Kaido were widened and paved according to change in the life style. So it is not easy to see how it was in old days. However, the pass which goes to Kawasaki via the Saruhana Shuku (the current Hana Machi) , remains the winding mountain path in old days. _x000D_
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This mountain pass is maintained as a walking track "Former Uzen Kaido Preservation District" by local residents. It is about 1 km in length with about 3 m in width, and the jigjas way continues through the forest. At the summit "Shihou Pass" was once called "Shihou Hill (Shihouzaga)", because "All of the four directions (=Shihou in Japanese) had slopy hills, so if you went to the top the hill, you could see everything in all directions". Now that the area is a mountain forest, you can not get the view as its name, but the view from the lookout at the summit is outstanding. When the weather is nice, it is possible to see the Pacific Ocean
- Postal Code
- 989-0831
- Address
- Hirasawa, Zao Town, Katta-gun, Miyagi prefecture
- Access Method
- By bus: Take Miyako Bus and get off at Hirasawa. Then drive for 10 minutes by car.