Timeless Approach to the shrine
One of the projects by Niida Honke, a sake brewery in Koriyama, is the creation of a pathway to Hachiman Shrine, located atop the pine-covered hillside behind the brewery.
The original path was an unpaved trail with simple log steps, but after rain, it became muddy, and the logs grew slippery, creating safety concerns for visitors who wished to make the pilgrimage. It was clear that the path needed to be improved to ensure safe passage for guests.
The old trail had its own charm. Various grasses and flowers grew freely along the route, and the untouched, natural state of the landscape was deeply appealing. Over time, as people walked through the meadow, plants would bend and part, creating paths resembling animal trails. The experience of treading through the overgrown grass toward the shrine felt like interacting with the hillside itself—a simple, enjoyable journey.
To preserve this sense of freedom and the natural character of the original path, a new route was designed to coexist with the existing trail without paving over it. Stones were carefully laid to create the new pathway, which takes a meandering course, avoiding trees and winding through the landscape.
This new route offers a markedly different experience from the original path. It curves sharply, revealing unexpected open views; splits into two at times, inviting exploration; and provides moments of discovery along the way. These features encourage visitors to engage with the environment in new and meaningful ways, fostering a closer relationship with the hillside and the shrine.
The original path was an unpaved trail with simple log steps, but after rain, it became muddy, and the logs grew slippery, creating safety concerns for visitors who wished to make the pilgrimage. It was clear that the path needed to be improved to ensure safe passage for guests.
The old trail had its own charm. Various grasses and flowers grew freely along the route, and the untouched, natural state of the landscape was deeply appealing. Over time, as people walked through the meadow, plants would bend and part, creating paths resembling animal trails. The experience of treading through the overgrown grass toward the shrine felt like interacting with the hillside itself—a simple, enjoyable journey.
To preserve this sense of freedom and the natural character of the original path, a new route was designed to coexist with the existing trail without paving over it. Stones were carefully laid to create the new pathway, which takes a meandering course, avoiding trees and winding through the landscape.
This new route offers a markedly different experience from the original path. It curves sharply, revealing unexpected open views; splits into two at times, inviting exploration; and provides moments of discovery along the way. These features encourage visitors to engage with the environment in new and meaningful ways, fostering a closer relationship with the hillside and the shrine.
Timeless Approach to the shrine
One of the projects by Niida Honke, a sake brewery in Koriyama, is the creation of a pathway to Hachiman Shrine, located atop the pine-covered hillside behind the brewery.
The original path was an unpaved trail with simple log steps, but after rain, it became muddy, and the logs grew slippery, creating safety concerns for visitors who wished to make the pilgrimage. It was clear that the path needed to be improved to ensure safe passage for guests.
The old trail had its own charm. Various grasses and flowers grew freely along the route, and the untouched, natural state of the landscape was deeply appealing. Over time, as people walked through the meadow, plants would bend and part, creating paths resembling animal trails. The experience of treading through the overgrown grass toward the shrine felt like interacting with the hillside itself—a simple, enjoyable journey.
To preserve this sense of freedom and the natural character of the original path, a new route was designed to coexist with the existing trail without paving over it. Stones were carefully laid to create the new pathway, which takes a meandering course, avoiding trees and winding through the landscape.
This new route offers a markedly different experience from the original path. It curves sharply, revealing unexpected open views; splits into two at times, inviting exploration; and provides moments of discovery along the way. These features encourage visitors to engage with the environment in new and meaningful ways, fostering a closer relationship with the hillside and the shrine.
The original path was an unpaved trail with simple log steps, but after rain, it became muddy, and the logs grew slippery, creating safety concerns for visitors who wished to make the pilgrimage. It was clear that the path needed to be improved to ensure safe passage for guests.
The old trail had its own charm. Various grasses and flowers grew freely along the route, and the untouched, natural state of the landscape was deeply appealing. Over time, as people walked through the meadow, plants would bend and part, creating paths resembling animal trails. The experience of treading through the overgrown grass toward the shrine felt like interacting with the hillside itself—a simple, enjoyable journey.
To preserve this sense of freedom and the natural character of the original path, a new route was designed to coexist with the existing trail without paving over it. Stones were carefully laid to create the new pathway, which takes a meandering course, avoiding trees and winding through the landscape.
This new route offers a markedly different experience from the original path. It curves sharply, revealing unexpected open views; splits into two at times, inviting exploration; and provides moments of discovery along the way. These features encourage visitors to engage with the environment in new and meaningful ways, fostering a closer relationship with the hillside and the shrine.