Nishi no Nari

The Nishi no Nari [倪の迂 にしのなり, 'The Salt Road'], less commonly known as the Shihonjō Road, was a secondary road in pre-modern Kanton running from northern Saka Province to inner Sanzama Province. 
The Nishi no Nari was a steep trail following the Yūmi Mountains, which has been in existence since very ancient times. Due to the presence of the Yūmi range, a long-winded byroad had to be followed, instead of simply crossing diagonally between provinces. The road was used for the transport of high-quality salt and preserved seafood from the west coast of Honzura to the inland Sanzama region (present-day Tomono and Mikei Prefectures), and for the export of soybeans, tobacco, alcohol, herbal medicines, cotton, hemp and livestock from Sanzama. The standard method of travel was by foot, as wheeled carts were unable to navigate the steep road in most places. The route was also frequently closed due to heavy snowfall, avalanches, landslides, and flooding.
Salt, in particular, was a critical commodity in pre-modern Kanton and the famous governor of Daimi Province, Daimi no Shunji, was famous abolishing taxes on salt and allowing it to be exported to his rival, Omiya no Amatoshi, as a gesture of magnanimity. The salt trade in Honzura came to be monopolized by six merchant houses from Sanzama, who received official permits from the Imperial government concerning its transport. Pack horses and mules were used to carry loads. The establishment of koman, rest-stop towns, created checkpoints where domain officials could examine travel permits and levy taxes, and at which were located small shops and restaurants whose exorbitant prices and sparse products was a constant complaint by travellers.