Meeting Ikuo Wada
Ikuo Wada, the head of the Hitachinokuni Long Trail project, has spent a long time in the field. Growing up, family vacations meant mountain climbing and skiing with his father. As a student, he traveled abroad backpacking and learned about many different people and cultures. He has also enjoyed backcountry snowboarding, surfing, and running as a trail runner, and is the course director for the OSJ Oku Kuji Trail. So we fully agree that he is a key person in “Hitachinokuni.”
How it started
“Walking a long trail and spending a long time there, one can get in touch with the nature, people, and culture of the area. And you can take that journey again and again, anytime you want. This is how I began to think about it, and this is how the Long Trail project was born.”
As you enter the trail, you can also see that there are lacquer trees. They say they are famous for their very high quality lacquer. From Mt. Takanosu, one can see a river running through the area, a village, and people growing crops unique to the area. Cedar plantations can be seen on the right side of the trail, and untouched forests on the left. One can concretely experience a landscape where people and nature have coexisted in harmony, just a short distance along the trail.
The nature and history unique to the area are everywhere on the Hitachinokuni Long Trail. It is not a passing event or fad, but an activity that has always been there and will continue to be passed down as part of the culture.
What makes the scenery along the Hitachinokuni Long Trail so special?
“For example, at the end of the “NE” section, the course opens up to the Pacific Ocean side and there is a section called ‘Hamakkaido’ (old beach road). If you walk there before dawn, it is indescribably and truly beautiful, with the sky and coast dyed bright blue before the sun rises. It is an extraordinary view unique to long trails that can only be seen by walking in Hitachinokuni and trekking at that time.”
The restoration of the Hitachinokuni Long Trail is part of the Kilian Jornet Foundation’s global effort to protect mountain environments. Through its Restore the Trails program, and in partnership with NNormal under the 1% for the Planet initiative, KJF works with local communities to identify and rehabilitate damaged natural areas.
As part of its 2025 global strategy, KJF is expanding activities to six countries, including Japan, where it now supports the Hitachinokuni Long Trail. The foundation provides both material support and collaboration with local teams. On this trail, around 15 volunteers led by Mr. Wada cleared fallen trees and maintained the route to preserve its natural beauty.
Mr. Wada emphasized that trail maintenance fosters personal awareness and a deeper understanding of nature, describing it as a way to “move your mind” and connect with landscapes on a more meaningful level. The partnership between KJF and local actors shows how trails hold ecological, cultural, and emotional significance—and how restoration efforts can generate long-lasting impact across regions.
