07/09/2020 / Last updated : 01/02/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Onaruto Bridge to Horyuji　大鳴門橋、法隆寺

November 2019, Hina no Sato Katsuura michi no eki A very quiet night at Hina no Sato Katsuura michi no eki. Ours was the only vehicle in a very large car park and the road, after the evening rush, was largely devoid of traffic. The facilities are reasonable but during the morning busy period prove to be rather too small. This is because the adjoining JA vegetable market is very popular. This area of Shikoku we have explored on previous trips, so after filling up with fuel, (for some reason I cannot fathom, Tokushima-ken has significantly cheaper fuel than most other places) we head out on the highway across Awaji-shima […]

30/08/2020 / Last updated : 01/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Befu gorge べふ峡

October 2019, Yasu michi no eki Yasu michi no eki is a little noisy, due to the piped music, until around 9 pm and the local youth use it as a gathering spot, but it calms down after 10. It is then quiet enough until the farmers start delivering produce around 6. Behind the michi no eki building is a beach with playgrounds for kids. There are also restaurants, so for shachuhaku it has up and downsides. In summer it must be far too busy. We start our day with a walk along the beach on a wooden boardwalk and realize this must be quite a popular place for families […]

18/08/2020 / Last updated : 01/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Yusuhara – Architectural wonders in the mountains – and Yasui Gorge 梼原、安居渓谷

October 2019, Yusuhara michi no eki Yusuhara michi no eki , against expectations, transpires to be a good shachuhaku spot. The upper part of the onsen car park, just below the hotel, is quiet and dark and not really so far from the toilet. A good night, with a very beautiful, starry sky. The stars are one of the pluses of getting up in the night. No, there aren’t any others. Update. October 22nd. 2022 This Michi no eki no longer exists as a shachuhaku spot. The 24-hour toilets have been demolished and one is referred to the public toilets about 200 metres up the hill. Yusuhara Town In the […]

06/08/2020 / Last updated : 01/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Uchiko and Shikoku Karst 内子、四国カルスト

October 2019, Tenku no sato Sansan and Uchiko Fresh Park Karari michi no eki Tenku no sato Sansan michi no eki is a good place to stay. It is not the first time for us to stay here so it holds up on a second visit. This, despite the torrential rain all night that remains solid in the morning. There is extremely heavy, low cloud all around. Absolutely no chance of climbing Mt. Ishizuchi today, though the weather is forecast to clear by the afternoon. We set off for Uchiko, a town with a preserved historical district. On arrival, we park at Uchiko Fresh Park Karari michi no eki. This […]

30/07/2020 / Last updated : 23/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

The UFO Line-scenic drivecourse　　UFOライン

October 2019, Beppu-wan SA Woke in Beppu-wan SA (Oita-do highway) after a cold and very windy night, and a drive from Fukuoka. This service area is on the top of the hill overlooking Beppu near the APU campus. I once met an APU student, from Singapore, whose first words in Japanese were “Kaze ga tsuyoi desu ne” The wind is strong, isn’t it? If you spend time around APU you will understand this. Nevertheless, from a shachuhaku point of view Beppu-wan SA is a good place to stay,. It is busy early on a Sunday night but ultimately quiet. There is a viewing mound, or grassy knoll, with a view […]

03/06/2020 / Last updated : 31/01/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Sasayama Castle and Okutsu Onsen　篠山城、奥津温泉

June 2019, Kyotamba Ajimu no Sato Kyotamba Ajimu no Sato is an excellent place for shachuhaku. It is one of those two faced affairs. One side is the michi no eki and the other a SA on the highway. Being perched on a hill, there are good views of the sunset. After 8 pm there is only one, multi-purpose toilet. As we were the only people staying overnight, it was a personal bathroom. Once the michi no eki becomes popular, and it is very new, this could be a problem. The access to the main restrooms on the SA side is open from 7 am so not a big deal. […]

03/06/2020 / Last updated : 31/01/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Ohara Sanzenin to Miyama 大原三千院、美山

June 2019, Leave Nanamori Kiyomi michi no eki with an end of trip feeling. We are definitely heading home. Nanamori Kiyomi michi no eki, however, deserves some recognition. It is a good place to stay. The toilets are clean and relatively modern, and the flowers are changed daily. (This is always an excellent sign.) The vegetable shop is cheap and popular. The michi no eki is also very convenient for Takayama, as a short, free highway leads directly into the town. We, on the other hand, now head for Gujo Hachiman on the Seseragi Kaido (R.257, R472). This is a good road to drive and far from busy in the […]

21/05/2020 / Last updated : 31/01/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Norikuradake Hiking and Hirayu Onsen　　乗鞍岳と平湯温泉

June 2019, Wake earlier than usual as we plan to climb, well hike a bit, on Norikuradake Mt. Norikura. We drive to the Honoki-daira free parking area to take the bus to Tatamidaira by way of the Norikura Skyline. Tatami-daira is the highest bus stop in Japan, which was certainly news to me. The bus fare is 2,300 yen return and the shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes. Norikura Skyline is open from May 15th. to Oct. 31st. Tatami-daira　　畳平 From Tatami-daira there are various hiking routes, from the gentle stroll round the flower meadow, Ohanabatake, to the hike to the top of Mt. Kengamine, the highest peak of the […]