The Tomogaura road is a mountain path, and it is one of the best ways to understand how silver left the mine. It climbs out of the valley at Omori, crosses a ridge, and drops down to the coast at the small harbour of Tomogaura, a journey of a few hours on foot, and for centuries it was walked by porters carrying ore on their backs and by pack horses with straw sandals. The whole route has been preserved, and sections of old stone paving, shrine gates and wayside markers survive in the forest.
The trail goes through beautiful woods, tall cedar and cypress, and, in the damp shade, a thick carpet of ferns and moss. Streams cross the path, and in places you can see the old stone steps worn smooth by centuries of feet. It is a quiet, cool walk, particularly in summer, and one of the few places in western Japan where you can feel the old road under your boots. Wildlife is part of it: monkeys, deer and wild boar live in the hills, and birdsong fills the forest.
On a motorbike, you cannot ride the old path itself, and you should not try. The paved roads around it, however, are good for riding. The valley road from Oda to Omori is narrow and winding, with a few tight bends, and the coast road along the Sea of Japan is a pleasure, running through tunnels and past headlands with views of grey water. Traffic is light, and rain is frequent, so take care on wet surfaces and fallen leaves in autumn.
If you want to walk the path, allow a half day, take water and a rain jacket, and wear proper shoes, since the ground can be slippery. Check at the visitor centre in Omori for the current state of the trail, because storms sometimes close sections. The reward is quiet, and a feel for the silver road.