28/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Kamikochi, beyond Kappa Bashi　　上高地

Oct. 18th. 2022, Okuhidaonsengo Kamitakara michi no eki The second night at Okuhidaonsengo Kamitakara is different. It is not raining, and the morning promises fine so perhaps this is why it was much busier and rather noisy. Mostly chatter and car doors banging as, I suppose, people prepare to leave well before sunrise to scale high peaks. Shuttle bus to Kamikochi We were up before 6.30am but at least it was daylight. We drive the 10 or 15 kilometres back to Hirayu, Akandana car park for the shuttle bus to Kamikochi. Private vehicles are not permitted into Kamikochi beyond the Kama tunnel on R. 158, so the only options are […]

26/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Lake Tateshina, Art in the morning and Bijyogaike　蓼科湖

October 2022, Miichi no eki Venus Line Tateshinako Michi no eki Venus Line Tateshinako is an excellent place for an overnight stay. When we arrived, it was busy with Sunday excursionists but by 8pm it was very quiet with only a handful of shachuhaku vehicles. The facilities are excellent, very modern and clean. They are in a stand-alone rectangular building, but the main doors are closed at night, access being through small doors at either end of the building. This can be confusing. Lake Tateshina The small lake offers a fine walk which we enjoyed in the evening and again, in the opposite direction, in the morning. There is also […]

24/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Utsukushigahara, cows grazing above the cloud sea + Mishaka ike　美ヶ原

October 2022, Marumelo no eki Nagato Marumelo no eki Nagato is a good place to stay even though it is very busy and has no rubbish bins or vending machines. For this, you have to visit Lawsons. We leave early, waking before 6.30am. Very unusual but D. has a plan. This is to walk at Utsukushigahara, an open highland that is not a wetland. It is noted as a place to see a sea of cloud. The place is high enough to be above the cloud bank. Utsukushigahara We arrive at michi no eki Utsukushigahara Kogen and have no difficulty parking in the huge car park. Even from here, there […]

20/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Tsugaike Shinzen-en, great hike in mist and autumn colours　栂池

October 2022, Michi no eki Hakuba Michi no eki Hakuba was busy as expected and the facilities are small for such a popular place. However, new toilets were under construction. One group of overnighters with two vehicles had commandeered a third parking space and set up tables and chairs until a biker arrived and pointed out the error of their ways. At which, they contritely freed up the space that was quickly filled. Tsugaike Shizen-en We set off earlier than usual to drive to Tsugaike Shizen-en. Well, to the car park for the gondola which takes you to the ropeway. This combined ride is about 30 minutes. Quite thrilling, with […]

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 […]