Hokurikudō, Ancient circuit in Honshu, Japan
The Hokurikudō is an ancient trading route spanning the northwestern side of Honshu island, connecting seven provinces along the Sea of Japan. The path runs through mountain passes, coastal areas, and fertile valleys, passing through prefectures including Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata.
The route was formalized during Emperor Temmu's reign in the 7th century, when Koshi province was divided into three regions. This administrative reorganization into Echizen, Etchū, and Echigo established the foundation for the Hokurikudō network, which served as a major connection between western and central Japan for centuries.
The trading routes here enabled merchants and officials to move goods and knowledge between remote mountain settlements and coastal communities. These connections shaped regional identity and local economies for centuries.
You can explore the historical route today using the Hokuriku Expressway, which follows similar paths through mountain regions and coastal zones. Plan your visit with flexibility for winter weather, as this region receives heavy precipitation and substantial snowfall.
This region receives the heaviest snowfall of any inhabited place on Earth, when Siberian air masses pick up moisture over the Sea of Japan. These extreme winter conditions have shaped local architecture, farming, and daily life for centuries.
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