Take a Hike in Toki Country!
Various activities and events are taking place based on "Return to the Wild Vision" developed for toki's return to the wild. Sado Tourism Association conducts guided Eco Tour hikes through toki country. We asked one of the guides Harumi Shigemasa to tell us about these interesting hiking tours.
*Click here for more information about Eco Tour Guides.
Kisenjo Area: Where More Than 300 Plots of Terraced Rice Fields Were Once Farmed.
Toki Byway / Mountain Way area of Sado Scenic Byway (Sadokoku Shima Kaido), one of Scenic Byways of Japan, is the venue for this hike. It is a hill (elevation 300 to 460 m) in the Eastern part of Kosado. We'll tour Kisenjo, an area where rice fields have been lying fallow since 1960's, Shimizudaira where Sado Japanese Crested Ibis Conservation Center was located until 1992, and Haetsubaki area where former residents are continuing their efforts to reclaim the habitat of toki. Currently, only a small part of the areas is included in the hike, but starting in the fall, more and more will be included.
Kisenjo has been abandoned and has become overgrown with woods and other vegetation, but it used to boast over 300 plots of terraced rice fields. Kosuke Honma, Associate Professor at Niigata University has been the central figure in the restoration of the terraced fields, maintenance and collection of data. His work has continued as part of the Niigata University Toki Return to the Wild Project since 2003.
The prerequisites for toki's habitat are as follows: "first, there must food for the toki. Next there must be trees with nice big branches, and also trees where they can make their nests," explains Mr. Shigemasa. At Kisenjo, trees that fit the description have been sorted out, and unwanted trees cut down. The terraced rice fields are also being restored. Over 100 of these fields have been finished already. We walked through the hills as we saw rice fields with number plates on them and heard about the woods that will be serviced next. With long boots, we were able to splash through puddles and streams like a kid. How refreshing it was! "Restoring the terraced fields involves more than just making it usable. You must pay attention to how the fauna and flora of the forest move between the fields and the forest and make sure that the rows of earth are smooth," said Mr. Shigemasa. We were almost at our destination when we reached the coal burner's lodge along the gentle hill. As we walked over the bank of Shimizudaira Lake, we saw the lake with its reflection of the surrounding trees. "The lake is especially beautiful in the fall when the trees turn colors," Mr. Shigemasa noted.
While preserving the larger trees in the surrounding areas, trees in the terraced fields are cut down as a part of the restoration process.
Our Eco Tour Guide Harumi Shigemasa.
Biotope of Kisenjo. The number plates indicate the progress of the biotope restoration.
The boots are rented at Toki Koryukaikan.
Volunteer at the Biotope with the Local Volunteers
Biotope of Shimizudaira. The lodge is the base for Toki-doki O-enkai (Toki-doki Supporters' Club). You can rest there, too.
View down from the ridge way to Kisenjo biotope.
Along the forest path from Niibo to Shimizudaira, there are scenic viewpoints where you can get a panoramic view of Kinpokusan and Kuninaka Plains.
Shimizudaira is kept up and maintained by the members of Toki-doki O-enkai (Toki-doki Supporter's Club) founded in 2002. The work is performed once a month by all walks of people including grade school students. While on the toki country hike, "we ask people to work in the fields if their time allows. For many it would be the first time they've ever stepped foot on a rice field, and they're excited to do the work.
A sunlit forest path connects Shimizudaira and Haetsubaki. You'll find Natakiri Jizo as well as the recently restored Toki Observation Lodge along the way. From Haetsubaki to Kisenjo, the path is a ridge track (under construction) along the national woodland. There's a great view down to the restored terraced fields from the ridge track. "You can see the fields from the same sightline as the toki," says Mr. Shigemasa. An important biotope is being restored among the hills and countryside of Sado. Reflecting upon the significance of such action, we couldn't help but get excited about the possibility of seeing toki gracing the skies and resting its wings in one of the great old trees one day.
Take a Hike in Toki country
Toki Country Hike (available to September 30)
- Fee: 6,800 yen per person (Must be 12 or older; minors must be accompanied by an adult.)
- Hike time: Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes
- Minimum 3 persons needed to conduct hike (Please make your reservations at least 3 days in advance.)
*See here for more information.
Toki Country One-day Hike (from October 1 to November 25)
- Fee: 10,500 yen per person (Must be 12 or older; minors must be accompanied by an adult.)
- Hike time: Approximately 6 hours 40 minutes
- Minimum 2 persons needed to conduct hike (Please make your reservations at least 3 days in advance.)
*See here for more information.