At 305 m above sea level, this is a steep trail that crosses Hobo-toge Pass. In the old days, this pass was the border between the territories of Shima Province and Kii Province.
It is said that the origins of the name lie in the words “jiryo,” meaning our territory, and “taryo,” meaning another’s territory, which were corrupted into the common Japanese boys’ names “Jiro” and “Taro.” There are many highlights along the way, including the remains of a quarry where stone used in the construction of Edo Castle was taken, Kujira-ishi Rock, which looks like a whale, and Tatemigaoka, which looks out over the beautiful Kumano-nada Sea. In addition, there are the remains of the Hoji-chaya tea house at the pass, whose name is said to derive from the hoji signposts that indicated the border between territories.
