Furusato Pedestrian Tunnel (formerly Unno Tunnel)

Furusato Pedestrian Tunnel (Former Unno Tunnel): A Taisho-Era Brick Masterpiece on the Kumano Kaido

Tucked away along the rugged coastline of Kihoku Town in southern Mie Prefecture, the Furusato Pedestrian Tunnel — originally known as the Unno Tunnel (海野隧道) — stands as a remarkable testament to early 20th-century Japanese civil engineering. Completed in 1914 during the Taisho era, this 208-meter brick tunnel is one of three registered tangible cultural properties that together form a rare surviving group of brick-built road tunnels from the modernization of the historic Kumano Kaido highway.

Historical Background: Modernizing the Kumano Kaido

The Kumano Kaido — now largely absorbed into modern National Route 42 — has served for centuries as a vital transportation corridor along the southeastern coast of the Kii Peninsula. In the Meiji era, the Japanese government embarked on an ambitious 20-year project beginning in 1907 (Meiji 40) to modernize this critical highway. The project involved the construction of six tunnels to bypass the steep coastal terrain that had long made travel along this route arduous and dangerous.

Of these six tunnels, three brick-built tunnels in the northern section have survived and are now protected as registered tangible cultural properties. From north to south, they are the Enoura Tunnel (former Nagashima Tunnel, 321 meters), the Furusato Pedestrian Tunnel (former Unno Tunnel, 208 meters), and the Dowase Pedestrian Tunnel (former Dowase Tunnel). All three were designed by Mie Prefecture engineer Iwai Tōtarō and constructed under the supervision of prefecture technician Amano Hisashi.

Why It Was Designated as a Cultural Property

The Furusato Pedestrian Tunnel was registered as a tangible cultural property on April 24, 2001, in recognition of its significance as an outstanding example of Taisho-era civil engineering. The tunnel is valued for several important reasons.

First, it represents a rare surviving example of brick tunnel construction used for road infrastructure in Japan. While many brick tunnels were built for railways during the Meiji and Taisho periods, road tunnels of this type are far less common. Second, the tunnel forms part of a cohesive group of three tunnels sharing a unified architectural design — a feature that enhances their collective historical importance. Third, the tunnel contains distinctive interior features, including sawtooth-decorated brick niches originally intended for gas lamp equipment storage, which provide valuable evidence of early tunnel lighting technology in Japan.

Architectural Features and Highlights

The Furusato Pedestrian Tunnel stretches 208 meters with a width of 3.2 meters. Its construction primarily uses brick masonry, though the interior alternates between brick-lined sections and exposed rock surfaces — a characteristic feature that reveals the geological conditions encountered during construction.

Visiting the Tunnel Group

For the most rewarding experience, consider visiting all three tunnels in the group. Starting from the Enoura Tunnel at the northern end and walking south through the Furusato and Dowase tunnels allows visitors to appreciate both the consistency of design and the individual character of each tunnel. The route follows the old alignment of the Kumano Kaido along the coast, offering glimpses of the Kumano-nada Sea and the mountainous terrain that made this road construction so challenging.

The tunnels are accessible year-round and free to visit. As they remain in active use as local roads and paths, visitors should be aware of occasional pedestrian and light vehicle traffic. A flashlight is recommended, as the tunnel interiors can be quite dark, especially in the middle sections away from the portals.

Surroundings and Nearby Attractions

Kihoku Town is the gateway to the Higashi-Kishu region of Mie Prefecture and offers a wealth of natural and cultural attractions for visitors.

• Kumano Kodo Ise Route: Kihoku is home to several sections of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, including the Tsuzurato Pass, Hajigami Pass, and the popular Magose Pass with its beautiful stone-paved paths through ancient cypress forests.
• Shōjigoro River (銚子川): Known as one of Japan's clearest rivers, the Shōjigoro River is famous for its extraordinary transparency and is a popular destination for swimming and kayaking in summer.
• Michi-no-Eki Kii-Nagashima Manbō: This roadside station on Route 42 is famous for its grilled manbō (ocean sunfish) and shark skewers — a unique local delicacy that visitors should not miss.
• Furusato Onsen: A nearby hot spring facility located in the Furusato area, offering relaxation after exploring the historic tunnels.
• Miyama Kaigan (Kaizan郷土資料館): The Miyama Local History Museum, housed in a registered tangible cultural property building from the late Meiji era, features exhibits on local history and culture.