14/05/2026 / Last updated : 16/05/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Kikuchi Gorge　菊池渓谷

Nov. 14th 2025 Michi no Eki Kugino Michi no eki Kugino is quiet overnight despite the large number of shachuhaku vehicles. The morning brings more activity, as 4 buses arrive bringing in school parties. We take a wander around the place, there is a great deal of space, views of distant Aso and even a dog run. We leave, it is time to visit Kikuchi Gorge. Kikuchi Gorge This, we find, is surprisingly busy by 10.00am on a Friday morning. The gorge offers a couple of circular walks, the longer around an hour. There are some pretty falls and deep pools as you walk along the rushing river. The water […]

10/04/2026 / Last updated : 10/04/2026 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Hakusan Shirakawago White Road 　白山白川郷ホワイトロード

Nov. 2nd. 2025 Michi no eki Hida-Hakusan A peaceful night at michi no eki hida-Hakusan. We have stayed here probably 3 times and, now twice, someone has set up a tent in a parking area. This time under the roof of the handicapped parking. I feel a fool not using such space on wet nights but I just can’t do it. Hakusan Shirakawago White Road Today we plan to drive the White Road. This is a toll road currently, 1,700 yen, that links Gifu to Ishikawa ken. The toll is high but the route is long and very spectacular and in this kouyo season (autumn leaves) well worth the expenditure. […]

01/03/2026 / Last updated : 01/03/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Okususohana Shizen-en Hiking　　奥裾花自然園

Oct. 30th. 2025 Michi no eki Kita Shinshu Yama no Uchi is a reasonable and popular place to stay. There were quite a number of shachuhaku vehicles sharing the parking lot with us. The facilities are good but a little overwhelmed in the morning rush hour. There is a vegetable market that is very busy with farmers delivering produce and customers waiting for the shop to open at 8.30am. Shibu Onsen – Ryokan Kanaguya　渋温泉金具屋 We depart, later than most, and take the short drive to Shibu Onsen. Here we want to take a look at Kanaguya. This ryokan, built in the 1930’s is the model for the onsen in […]

11/02/2026 / Last updated : 11/02/2026 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Nasu Sesshoseki and Shimogo Kannon-numa　　那須殺生石、下郷観音沼

Oct. 28th. 2025 Michi no eki Nasukogen　　道の駅那須高原友愛の森 Morning displays Natsukogen Yuai no mori in all its glory. There are a very large number of shachuhaku vehicles and people arriving for the large shop selling the usual veg. and omiyage(souvenirs). The large plaza area has a display of art works in stone and wood. Also, a shop selling various craft works from jewelry to a large, wooden Godzilla. Adjacent to this, sizeable workshops for woodcarving, pottery, rattan work and perhaps other things. Classes are held here, I would suppose. The place is busy for a chilly Tuesday morning. Rubbish bins are provided, one notably full of wine bottles. People waiting for […]

08/02/2026 / Last updated : 08/02/2026 d.d Tohoku region

Azuma Kofuji　　吾妻小富士

Oct.27th. 2025 Michi no eki Fukushima　　道の駅ふくしま Michi no eki Fukushima is a good spot to overnight. Although it is very large and popular, the facilities are very good and can cope with the traffic. Also, rubbish bins are provided. Bandai Azuma Skyline　　磐梯吾妻スカイライン Today rain is forecast for the afternoon as we set off for Azuma Kofuji via the Bandai Azuma Skyline. We have been here before but on that occasion this end of the skyline was closed so this is our first drive up this satisfying, winding section. There are various parking spots on the way up, to stop and take pictures or just enjoy the view of autumn leaves. […]

22/01/2026 / Last updated : 22/01/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Jizo-numa and Nature hiking　　地蔵沼、山形県立自然博物園

Oct. 24th. 2025 Michi no eki Nishikawa　　道の駅西川 A cold night, 10 degrees this morning apparently. Michi no eki Nishikawa is busy as groups of school children are accosting everyone with a questionnaire about how to revitalize their nearby town. Rubbish bins would be my suggestion as there are none at this michi no eki, but the town is different. Bins for cans and pet bottles are tantalizingly visible inside the building. They are taken inside at night. (maybe a precaution due to bears) Iwanesawa-sanzan Shrine　　岩根沢三山神社 We set off for the nearby Iwanesawa-sanzan shrine. This we find is huge but in the late stages of disintegration. This shrine has burnt down […]

18/01/2026 / Last updated : 20/01/2026 d.d Tohoku region

Sukawa Highland, Lake and Onsen　　須川高原

Oct. 22nd. 2025 The parking adjacent to the main road at michi no eki Misato was not really an issue, but we were woken at 6.00 am with a bear sighting announcement. Quite how near this sighting occurred we are unsure. This announcement is repeated at intervals until we get up on a cold, damp morning. Oyasu Gorge　　小安峡 Our aim for the day is Kirikoma Sanso an onsen hotel at Sukawa Kogen (highland). A famous onsen area. On our way, we stop at Oyasu Gorge. This is a small but impressive spectacle. The access is down numerous concrete steps then along a path deep in a narrow steep-sided gorge. A […]

07/01/2026 / Last updated : 07/01/2026 d.d Tohoku region

Tamagawa onsen　　玉川温泉

October 21st. 2025 Morning in Iwaki michi no eki　　道の駅岩城 Michi no eki Iwaki is not a bad place for an overnight stay. The toilets are spacious and reasonable, if a little the worse for wear. It is possible to park close to these facilities, lucky as it was a wet night. Rubbish bins are provided too. The main attraction is the onsen. Not fancy but large and functional, a good place for a bath after 3 night on the highway. ＊Minato no yu onsen ; 650 yen / adult Hachimantai Oonuma　　八幡平　大沼 We set off for Hachimantai. This proves to be another long drive but the weather is cold and wet […]