Hatcho-zaka (Myoji Sta. ~三谷坂(妙寺駅〜丹生都比売神社八町坂Mitani-zaka ~5.5 Distance (km) 2~3 Time (hr) Total Elevation Gain (m): ~510 Total Elevation Loss  (m):   ~100 Hatcho-zaka Distance (km) ~1.5 Time (hr) 0.5 Total Elevation Gain (m): ~180 Total Elevation Loss  (m): ~10 ------ Unpaved trail Paved trail Mt. Amabiki-yama junction 1:25.000 as山分化i-ishi Rock Kasatori-toge Pass Kino-kawa River #50115 Zentsubo-ishi, Rock Mt. Ozuchi-no-Mine小部知ノギkopponsu JR Myo ii-eki-mae bus stop itani-bashi Bridge Niusakadono-jinja-mae bus stop Kasamatsu-toge Pass Niutsuhime-iinia Kikuya Rvokan Futatsu-toril ーツ島居n-no-Haka gravestone Jokan Katsurag Myoll Sta. Niusakadono-jinja , Kyomon-iwa Rock年立て若・経又有
Mitani-zaka
The route from Myoji Station to Niutsuhime-jinja is mostly a paved road with forested trail in the upper reaches.  It is an ancient pilgrimage route connecting the Amano plateau and Kino-kawa River area, connecting to Koyasan via the Choishi-michi. Mitani-zaka slope is also called Chokushi-zaka slope as it was used by chokushi (emperor's messengers).  Even with the sharp incline, it was supposedly preferred, as a shorter route, than Choishi-michi.
Niusakadono-jinja
Niusakadono-jinja is the starting point for Mitani zaka and is one of the Niu Shrines dedicated to Niutsuhime-no-Okami and Koya-myojin. The Oicho Ginkgo tree is a dominate feature with a 5 m trunk circumference, and height close to 30 m.  The best time to see the tree is late fall, usually around November when the leaves change color to bright yellow. Niusakadono-jinja shrine is said to have been named after the first sake offering made to Niutsuhime-no-Okami when the deity first descended to earth.
Persimmon Orchards
The trail climbs out of the valley through persimmon orchards offering views of the Kino-kawa River válley.
Kasa-ishi Stone
A fascinating rock balancing act is the Kasa-ishi or "conical shaped hat stone". Legend states that when Kobo Daishi's Kasa hat blew away it was caught by this rock. This stone tower with capping rock can be viewed as an early form of stupa.
Hokire Jizo Statue
Hokire Jizo is a 3-faced sculptured Buddhist statue dating from the early Kamakura era (1192-1333) carved into a boulder.  It is called Hokire Jizo in reference to the crack that appears to cut the cheek. Pilgrimage Route Legend

Amano Plateau
Once over the pass the trail arrives in the lovely bucolic setting of the plateau and Niutsuhime-jinja.
Niutsuhime-jinja
Niutsuhime-jinja dates to prehistoric times with the first pavilions built about 1700 years ago.  It is believed to be founded by Emperor Ojin (reigned from 270-310).  The shrine controlled a vast amount of land in the northern Kii Mountains.
Main Pavilion
A large arching bridge leads to the main pavilion, a reconstruction from 1469. The enshrined deity is Niutsuhime- no-Okami, believed to be the younger sister of the sun goddess Amaterasu- Omikami.  This deity is revered as the god of agriculture and protector of Koyasan
Canine Guides
It was a messenger of Niutsuhime and his black and white dogs that escorted Kobo Daishi to the present location of Koyasan, which he subsequently founded.
Vermilion Protector
The “Ni” in Niutsuhime refers to the cinnabar ore which is the raw material of the color vermilion.  "Niu" is a geographical reference to a the local of a vein of it.  The ancient local Niu clan controlled the mining of the ore and is believed that they enshrined Niutsuhime. Vermilion was painting on temples and shrines as protection from evil.
Divine Wind
During the attempted Mongol invasion of Japan in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), it is believed that Niutsuhime-no-Okami took the lead in creating the divine wind that kept them from the shores of Japan.
Hatcho-zaka
The Hatcho-zaka slope connects the Choishi-michi and Niutsuhime-jinja. The junction is at Futatsu-torii.
Futatsu-torii
The twin Shinto gates called Futatsu- torii are said to have been built by Kobo Daishi.  They are made of granite standing ~6m tall, a single post weighs ~4.5 tons.  The pair is presumed to belong to Niutsuhime-jinja. There is a covered lookout point nearby with views over the Amano plateau.
-cee and Ogamizu Water Kasa-ishi Stone Hokotate-ıwa Rock and 'Lenter-ma Euru-toge Pass Namida-iwa Rock