Synopsis

National Highway 439 traverses the mountainous island of Shikoku in southwestern Japan. In places, the road is little more than two meters wide and suffers from neglect. Yet, travelers journey from across Japan to navigate the 340-kilometer stretch, a rugged path linking countless small villages. Those who call this route home often live self-sufficiently, their diets built around foraged plants, freshwater fish, and, in some instances, even Japanese pit vipers. Here, residents embrace a life of