Asakaze-tōge Pass

A narrow path through the grass

This pass lies in the south of Asuka Village, between Sakata and Inabuchi, at an altitude of about 200 m. It sits on the way east from the Hirata hills, where Takamatsuzuka Kofun is, down into the valley of the Asuka River.

The path is narrow, and partway along the paving gives out and turns to earth. Bamboo thickets and tall grass close in on both sides, shutting off the view for a while. Then, suddenly, it opens up and the valley and the line of mountains appear straight ahead.

There are no signs and no fences. Some people walk through without realising they have crossed a pass.

Looking down on the terraced fields

The pass is well known because it looks down on the Inabuchi terraced rice fields.

Heading east from the pass, stepped paddies fill the whole of the south-facing slope. The Asuka River runs along the valley floor, with a hamlet and mountains on the far side. Many photographers of the terraced fields set up at this height.

In late September, red spider lilies edge the ridges between the paddies. Around the same time the terraced fields hold a scarecrow contest, and scarecrows line the paths. A popular route at this time of year is to come down from the pass into the terraced fields and walk on to the Asuka River.

An old route

This path is part of a route leading southwest out of central Asuka. It was used by people crossing the hills of Hinokuma and Mayumi on their way through Takatori toward Yoshino.

Today it is barely wide enough for a small car, yet the name of the pass survives and so does the path. That people have kept living in Asuka also means that paths like this have kept being used.

Visiting

About 40 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Asuka Station. Climb the slope east from Takamatsuzuka Kofun and Nakaoyama Kofun and you will reach the pass. Coming from the Ishibutai Kofun side, you climb up through the Inabuchi terraced fields.

On foot, the easiest order is to start at Asuka Station, see Takamatsuzuka and Nakaoyama, climb to the pass, then go down through the terraced fields to the stepping stones on the Asuka River. That way the route is mostly downhill.

There are no street lights. After dark you cannot see your feet at all, so make sure to get through while it is light. In summer the grass grows out over the path.

Both the path up to the pass and the path down from it are local roads and farm tracks. There is nowhere to park a car. Think of it as a pass for crossing on foot.