The route "Fukui Yamagiwa World's Best Highway" runs through the foothills of Mount Haku in Fukui Prefecture, an area whose historical and cultural sites have long been praised as "Tenkaichi," or "the world’s best." (Courtesy of Scenic Byway Japan)
Over the centuries, routes have played a vital role in shaping Japan's culture and history. They are a living heritage that carries echoes of the past. By traveling these historic routes, visitors can rediscover Japan's enduring appeal and gain a deeper understanding of the country.
Guided by this vision, the Scenic Byway Japan initiative has steadily expanded nationwide. By drawing on local scenery, nature, history, and cultural assets, it aims to revitalize communities and promote tourism. Today, 147 routes are registered across the country. Introduced below are four routes in the Kinki region.
Traditional Crafts and Castle Towns
The "Fukui Yamagiwa World's Best Highway" runs through the foothills of Mount Haku in Fukui Prefecture. The region is known for traditional crafts considered among the finest in Japan, many of which are still practiced today. Along the route, visitors can tour workshops and facilities where master artisans demonstrate their skills.
The area also features the remains of castle towns that prospered during the Warring States period (c 1467–1600), along with castles, shrines, and temples. It offers a rich and compact introduction to Japan's cultural and historical heritage.
Rural Landscapes and Mackerel Sushi
The "The Old Mackerel Highway on westside" traces one of the historic Saba Kaido routes linking Wakasa Bay in Fukui Prefecture with Kyoto. In the past, seafood, especially mackerel, landed in Wakasa was carried along this road to the imperial capital.
Traditional thatched-roof villages and other elements of Japan's original rural landscape still remain along the route, and mackerel sushi is a local specialty.
Seasonal Beauty Across the Year
Also known as the Inaba Kaido, the "Shin-inaba Line — Happiness Road (29): A Journey to Rediscover Home" follows National Route 29, which connects Shiso City in Hyogo Prefecture with Tottori City, as well as National Route 482 running through the towns of Wakasa and Yazu in Tottori Prefecture. The following video showcases regional highlights such as terraced rice fields, waterfalls, wisteria trellises, castles, and lakes.
Another video focuses on seasonal scenery, capturing cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, autumn foliage, and snow-covered landscapes.
Sacred Paths and Pilgrimage Traditions
"Scenic Byway Japan: Kumano" traces sections of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage network, a World Heritage–listed system of sacred sites and trails in the Kii Mountain Range. The route follows the Ohechi coastal path and the Nakahechi mountain path in Wakayama Prefecture.
Highlights include Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine and Nachi Falls, while dishes made with fresh tuna are a well-known local specialty.
Upcoming Videos
The initiative is currently producing new videos featuring additional routes, including Kyoto Prefecture's Atago Kaido Way (Kyoto Toriimoto), which preserves cultural and religious traditions dating back to the Heian period, and Osaka Prefecture's New Century Kurawanka Street, where streetscapes of towns that served as post stations during the Edo period (c 1603–1690) blend with riverside scenery.
These videos are scheduled for release on the official Scenic Byway Japan YouTube channel.
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Author: Media Business Bureau, Osaka Head Office, Sankei Shimbun Co, Ltd, in corporation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kinki Regional Development Bureau
