Suwa Taisha
28/01/2019 / Last updated : 10/02/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Yatsugatake Highlands and Suwa Taisha　八ヶ岳、諏訪大社

Day 69, November 2016, Kiyosato Highland　　清里高原 A very wet night but, we woke to a warm morning of weak sunshine, golden hills and Onbashira paraphernalia. Onbashira is the crazy festival, held every 7 years, when the locals ride tree trunks down a very steep hillside, hoping not to get killed. We decide to visit Kiyosato Highland, a place D. used to visit as a child. As the road starts to climb, the clouds roll in and cover everything. This mist lends a truly mysterious air to the larch forests and we drive gently through mist wreathed trees. Sometimes, we stop at viewing spots or parking places. We can see nothing […]
13/01/2019 / Last updated : 10/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Shiraito no taki and Aokigahara　白糸の滝、青木ヶ原

Day 68, November 2016, Asagirikogen michi-no-eki Despite being 900 meters high in November, it was a warm night. Fujisan looks grey and ominous this morning. The michi-no-eki Asagirikogen is busy though it is before 7am. Even tour busses are pulling in to unload, mainly elderly, passengers to use the toilets. What time did they leave their hotels? We head out early, though clearly, not as early as some. Shiraito no taki – Shiraito Waterfall D. is anxious to get to Shiraito no taki before the crowds as it is a very famous spot. We succeed in this and get to the parking area before the attendants so, free parking for a […]
Mt.Fuji
06/01/2019 / Last updated : 16/03/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Fujisan – Mt.Fuji　　富士山

Day 67、November 2016, Leaving Tokyo Up around 7:30, to get our stuff together and repack the van after 2 nights in Tokyo. At first, we do well heading out of Tokyo but, after entering a long underground section of highway, the navi stops working. It takes a little while for this to become apparent by which time, although still underground, we now have absolutely no idea where we are. We have to surface to establish our whereabouts. It turns out we are around Aoyama and we join the Tomei highway. This was not the one we planned to use but, it is not so congested and soon we can see […]
Komoro Kaikoen
06/01/2019 / Last updated : 16/03/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Komoro – Castle, garden and town　小諸

Day 64, November 2016, Waking Nightmare I awoke to the realization that Trump was not just a nightmare but, a hard reality, on this bitter morning. The michi-no-eki ‘Raiden kurumi no sato‘ is surrounded by mountains but there is no significant snow on them. Komoro We decide to start the day with a walk in the gardens of Komoro castle ruins ‘Komoro Kaikoen’. The momiji is very pretty and some white plaster buildings make it all very picturesque but, I can’t help feeling how excited I would have been 30 plus years ago. I still appreciate it but, it doesn’t excite. There is not much of the castle to see […]
snow monkeys
31/12/2018 / Last updated : 16/03/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Hokusaikan in Obuse with added Snow Monkeys　小布施北斎館、野猿公園

Day 63, November 2016, Hokusai Museum in Obuse On a cold morning of chill rain and biting wind, we, wisely, decide to pay a visit to the Hokusai museum. This museum turns out to be an unexpected delight. I had no idea that Hokusai, in his later years, visited and worked in Obuse, with the help of a local patron. The variations of style exhibited here are truly stunning. The work of a genius or an “old man mad about art”. I recommend a visit to this small wonder of a museum. ＊Hokusai museum ; 1000 yen/adult Snow Monkeys　野猿公苑 From Hokusai we turn our attention to the, almost as famous, […]
gate of Zenkoji temple
30/12/2018 / Last updated : 16/03/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Togakushi to Zenkoji 　戸隠から善光寺

Day 62, November 2016 Numata River Terracing Yes, there is ice on the windscreen but the damp towels hanging on the wing mirrors are not frozen solid. The temperature did not drop that low. After breakfast, as this area is a famous example of river terracing, we walk across the carpark of michi-no-eki Shirasawa to an observation point. Unfortunately, as is the all too common with viewing points, the trees, planted as landscaping, have grown so as to completely obscure the view they were supposed to compliment. The viewing point is, as a result, pointless. As we drive out of Numata on R.120, however we get an idea of this […]