The Shin-etsu Trail Club was established in September of 2003; it received approval to function as a non-profit organization (NPO) in February of 2004. The Club’s goal is to build regional cooperation through the Shin-etsu Trail, focusing on the local natural environment, culture and history. The interaction with people visiting the Trail in order to encounter nature will contribute to regional revitalization and tourism. The funds for the activities we carry out are to some degree covered by the membership fees of individual members, the sales of maps and guidebooks, guide and event fees and subsidies, but these alone are not enough.
The Shin-etsu Trail first opened in 2005 with a 50-kilometer length; this was extended to 80 kilometers in 2008, and has welcomed a large number of hikers. It was extended all the way to Mt. Naeba in 2021, resulting in a 111-kilometer length, and the project continues to move ahead. Today there are long-trail projects all over Japan, and the idea of a walking trip is becoming part of a new culture. As the representative long trail of Japan, our mission at the Shin-etsu Trail is continue for the next 50 years and 100 years, as we move on to the next generation.
We want to thank all our current supporters, and also encourage others who understand our activities and want to support us to join as well!