The group held a launching ceremony at Lake Shinji in the western Japan city. It plans to carry out the actual sea journey next summer from the South Korean city of Pohang to the Shimane Peninsula.

A former elementary school teacher, Akira Nishikori, 61, came up with the idea of tracing the ancient journey after learning of a Pohang legend indicating exchanges between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

With about 20 others who supported the idea, Nishikori spent about six months carving out the trunk of a giant fir tree to build the 10-meter boat.

The shortest distance between Pohang and the Shimane Peninsula is about 340 kilometers. Because the boat will be rowed, the group will analyze and check the safety of possible routes before next summer.

The project, aimed at helping boost friendly exchanges between Japan and South Korea, is being warmly received in Pohang. Members of the city government attended the launching ceremony, while reporters from Pohang newspapers visited Matsue to cover the project.