18/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Hakuba Happo-one, Happoike hiking　八方池

October 2022, Despite its grim appearance, michi no eki Shinshushinmachi is fine from a shachuhaku point of view. There were very few other vehicles, the facilities large and clean and rubbish bins are provided. The road has very little traffic during the night. Hakuba Happo-one An early rise, and off to Hakuba Happo-one. Already busy when we arrive and parking at 1000 yen a bit shocking, plus the two chair lifts and gondola ride make this a pricy outing. The chair lift is an interesting ride in itself, and it is clear some people ride it for its own sake and do not venture further up the mountain. The lift […]

18/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Kusatsu Shiranesan, after the volcano to Shibu pass　草津白根山

October 2022, Michi no eki Kawaba Daisen Plaza Kawaba Daisen Plaza in daylight, is very large for a michi no eki. There are various restaurants, a farmers’ market, a pottery class, a large, covered area with picnic tables, a small rice field with rice stalks drying in traditional stoops, a children’s playground, a slide, geese on a pond, stray cats but no water in the wash basins of the toilets in number 2 car park. This quibble aside, it is shachuhaku friendly with rubbish bins and space. Parking in numbers 1 to 3 is close to the road but traffic is light. The day is grey, and the mountains covered […]

16/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Nikko, Kirifuri-kogen – Ski slope staircase.　日光霧降高原

October 2022, Michi no eki Yunishikawa is at once dark, a little miserable but also quite busy. Surprisingly, it has a DUCK (an amphibious vehicle) and a newspaper vending machine. But mostly dark and quiet. Kirifuri-kogen Kisuge-daira Come morning, we leave the michi no eki and drive mountain roads to Kirifuri-kogen highland. Here we pass through an expanse of farmland with panoramic views of the highlands before arriving at Kisuge-daira. Here, a staircase has been constructed on a disused ski slope. At the top, of the 1445 steps, are magnificent views over Niko and the blue mountains fading away into the distance. The information board at the top, informs you […]

02/02/2023 / Last updated : 08/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Tsuyama, old castle town　　津山

November 2018, Hirafuku　平福 Michi no eki Syukuba Machi Hirafuku was busy with trucks pulling in and out during the night. However, the truck parking is a little separate so no real problem. In the morning we wander around Hirafuku. The town is set in a picturesque spot and has castle ruins, visible on the top of a hill. The occasional ray of sunshine catches the autumn colours on the hillside, but it is a cold, grey morning for the most part. Our circuit of Hirafuku complete, we head off to Tsuyama. Tsuyama In Tsuyama we walk around the Joto area with its preserved, traditional buildings. There is an old merchant’s […]

19/01/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Climbing Kurikoma Mountain on an Autumn weekend　栗駒山

Early October ’22 A good night at Genbikei michi no eki. The rain eased by midnight and the morning was bright and clear. The michi no eki has rubbish bins and reasonable if not flashy facilities. As the weather is fine and the forecast for tomorrow is less good, we decide to climb Kurikoma mountain though we had planned to put it off for a day. This was a good decision as the day proved fine until late afternoon. Parking and Shuttle Bus The mountain has 6 different hiking courses originating in three separate prefectures. We decided on the central course which is said to be the easiest. The starting […]

12/01/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Oyasukyo Gorge　小安峡

Early October ’22 Michi no eki Misato and Jumonji Michi no eki Misato is OK for an overnight stay but parking is close to the main road or alternatively far from the facilities. We soon set off for the Oyasukyo gorge but pull into michi no eki Jumonji. This michi no eki is large and very busy as the vast selection of fresh vegetables on display were surprisingly cheap. There were all kinds of strange edibles for sale. I don’t think it would be good for an overnight. Oyasukyo Gorge Setting off again for Oyasukyo, it begins to rain and is soon a steady downpour. The drive through the mountains […]

10/01/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Hachimantai hiking　八幡平

October ’22 Michi no eki Ikarigaseki On a grey, chilly morning, a wander around behind the sheeted building reveals the elusive onsen and a large sign indicating its position. Darkness does things like that. Ikarigaseki is a good michi no eki for an overnight stay. Good parking and very new, modern facilities. The onsen, sadly, I cannot vouch for. We depart for Hachimantai, stopping at michi no eki Kazuno. This again has very new, very large toilet facilities and offers fresh vegetables and omiyage (souvenirs). It has a huge parking area but none adjacent to the toilets. Hachimantai Approaching Hachimantai, there are signs of incipient koyo (autumn colours). Nothing spectacular, […]

05/01/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Oirase Gorge from Lake Towada 十和田湖、奥入瀬

October ’22 Oirase hiking Michi no eki Towada was a better experience than expected. The rain ceased completely before the necessary toilet trips so a dry and peaceful night. The place has rubbish bins so, presumably, Aomori has different regulations from Hokkaido. We had planned to hike Mt. Hakkoda, but the weather forecast for the summit was cold, cloudy and foggy. With little point to slogging up a mountain, we head for Lake Towada and the Oirase gorge We park at Nenokuchi by the lakeside where there is a bus station and a lake cruise boat dock. From the point where the stream leaves the lake to start its journey […]