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. […]

22/04/2020 / Last updated : 31/01/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Tagokura Dam, Rokujuri-goe Pass and Kiyotsu Gorge　田子倉ダム、清津峡

June 2019, Oku Aizu Kaneyama is a good place to stay. There was some major construction in progress, but the view is better than most, the facilities are good and rubbish bins are provided. Shachuhaku friendly. It is also set in a picturesque area. Very Nihon mukashi-banashi as in old folk tale. Tagokura Dam Today rain is forecast, but there is some hazy sunshine as we set off. First, we drive to the Tagokura Dam on the Tadami River. The road leading up the dam is very steep and delivers spectacular views. The dam was planned in 1939 but, after many difficulties, was finally finished in 1960, J Power is […]

31/03/2020 / Last updated : 21/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Urabandai hiking – Goshikinuma, Nakasenuma　五色沼、中瀬沼

June 2019, Intermittent rain during the night at Ura Bandai michi no eki. The morning is overcast and threatening. Ominous clouds hang over the mountains. Goshikinuma We plan a short walk by the coloured ponds of Goshikinuma. Rain is forecast from 11am. but we hope we can manage a brief hike before then. After we set off, the weather improves and we are walking in intermittent sunshine. The weather remains changeable and the wonderful coloured ponds are frequently dimmed by cloud cover. This Goshikinuma hike is an excellent, easy walk (3.6km) for almost everyone. The path is mainly flat, the woods open and airy and the ponds a startling range […]

04/03/2020 / Last updated : 19/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Oguni Panorama Hiking course and Seseragi course at Urabandai　裏磐梯　雄国

June 2019, Ura Bandai michi no eki was very quiet, but the sun has us up before 7am. The other 3 overnight vehicles have already left. Today we plan a long walk, so set off, early-ish, for Laviespa Ura Bandai. This is an onsen, gym and swimming pool complex not far from the michi no eki. We park at the onsen car park and find the Oguni Panorama hiking course west side entrance behind the onsen building with the notice said ‘Beware the Bear’. Oguni Panorama Hiking course This is a fairly easy climb, the trail being clear well marked and a steady rather than a steep incline. At times […]

16/02/2020 / Last updated : 31/01/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Ura Bandai, Nihon Kitsune　裏磐梯

June 2019, Ferry to Sendai After a smooth night on the Taiheiyo ferry we arrive in Sendai at 10am. We carried our food and beverages (Thank you Seicomart) but this ferry line, I think, offers a better food selection than the Maizuru line. There is boiling water and a microwave available if you want to avoid the pricey restaurants. Shichikashuku and Tsuchiyu michi no eki Once off the ferry, we make for Shichikashuku on Route 113. This is a pleasant enough michi no eki, but it is not exactly on the dam lake as we were expecting. There is an adjoining park plus a park golf course and at the […]

06/01/2019 / Last updated : 29/01/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Michi-no-eki in the Oze area

Summer 2018, Oze Hinoematamura michi-no-eki. Michi-no-eki Oze Hinoematamura is very good for a restful night but even in mid-August it was cold. The morning temperature was 9 degrees and our thin sleeping bags not enough even with a blanket. Very early, we put the blankets inside the sleeping bags. This makes a world of difference and we sleep well until, at 8am. Then, sun forces us out of the oven. Today is a driving day, as we plan to skirt round the Oze area to the other, Gunma prefecture, side. This route 252 is a wild ride, until we hit route 17 and the road becomes very dull. Climbing up to […]

02/01/2019 / Last updated : 06/11/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Hiking to Ozenuma, Byobuiwa and Hinoemata Kabuki　尾瀬沼、檜枝岐村

Summer 2018, Ozenuma is our destination for today. We leave michi-no-eki Kirara 289 around 9am. It is a place I can recommend, with an adequate onsen, modern toilets plus, steps down to a picnic area, by a small river, that no one seems to notice and is sadly becoming overgrown. Byobuiwa　屏風岩 On our way to Oze National Park, or perhaps in it we stop, by chance, at Byobuiwa. Here is a splendid rushing ,rocky stream set against a sheer rock face precariously supporting quite large pines. A place well worth stopping to see. A hour or so later we reach Miike, where it is necessary to park and take a […]