After passing the Nanamagari, you’ll find the Sakura-chaya Ichirizuka Milestone, still perfectly intact.

Ichirizuka were milestones, established by the Kishu clan about 300 years ago every 4 kilometers from the starting point of present-day Wakayama City, and served as a guide to measure the distance. In the Edo period from 1603 to 1867, they were also used when determining the fee for palanquin rides over the Yakiyama-goe, not unlike modern taxi meters.

The name “Sakura-chaya Teahouse” probably came from the fact that black pines and mountain cherry trees were planted on both sides of the road. The cherry trees have since withered away, but the pines are still thriving. After their trek through the Nanamagari, the pilgrims must have felt such relief to be able to rest their tired bodies at the Sakura Teahouse, and eat dumplings and rice cakes.

Since Yakiyama-goe is over six kilometers long, there are also Nagara Ichirizuka Milestone on the descent. It is very rare to find two Ichirizuka Milestone on the same mountain pass.