12/07/2023 / Last updated : 12/07/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Shin-Hotaka ropeway　　　新穂高ロープウェイ

April 16th. 2023 For such a small michi no eki Azumino Matsukawa on a wet night there were quite a few overnight vehicles. Come morning, we set off for the Shin-Hotaka ropeway. Abo Touge (Pass) On the way to Okuhida, for the Shin-Hotaka ropeway, we took R.158 to Hirayu. We thought it more fun to drive over the Abo Pass as it provides a wonderful view of Mt. Yakedake from the top. The road over the pas is on the right just after the entrance to the Kama tunnel but before the Hirayu tunnel. The road appears to be open. We drive up past Nakanoyu Onsen but there is more […]
28/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Mino, traditional town and paper creations　　美濃

Oct. 20th. 2022, Michi no eki, Nanamori Kiyomi The night at Nanamori Kiyomi was a wonderful one for stars but very cold. For the first time this trip, the car was encased in ice. We have stayed in this michi no eki before, it is notable for easy access to Takayama and fresh flowers in the toilets. We set off for Gujo Hachiman. This is a trip along one of my favourite roads ‘Seseragi kaido’. It sweeps up and down the mountains in wide graceful curves with pretty scenery most of the way. Pascal Kiyomi michi no eki We stop at Pascal Kiyomi michi no eki, a place clearly run […]
Shirakawago
27/06/2022 / Last updated : 18/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Shirawakawago in spring to Kuzuryu　白川郷から九頭竜

18th April 2022 Michi no eki Hida Hakusan This was our second time to spend a night at Hida Hakusan. It is a good place for an overnight at least outside peak tourist season as the proximity to a world heritage site probably means it get seriously crowded. We shared the car park with perhaps four other vehicles and one person on a Honda 50 who erected a small tent. Kudos. Trucks grinding up the hill do make a noise but there are few. This michi no eki has an adjacent onsen which is spacious and pleasant. The outside bath was, sadly, not in operation due to lack of water. […]
Hida Furukawa
22/06/2022 / Last updated : 18/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Hida Asahi village and Hida Furukawa Walk　　飛騨古川

17th April 2022 Hida Asahi Cherry Tree tour　飛騨朝日村 This morning we wander around Hida Ashahi-mura to see the, at least locally, famous cherry trees. We walk around the village and visit 4~5 cherry trees at shrines and temple. These are a little disappointing as they are either past their prime or yet to shine. So, we drive a short distance to visit another Shinmei shrine (Aoya district). Here the cherry blossom is reflected in a handily flooded rice field. At night it is clear that this is very special but in daylight with a stiff breeze rippling the water it is beautiful but not outstanding. Hida Furukawa Having had our […]
Norikuradake
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 […]
Hakusan White Road
17/05/2020 / Last updated : 31/01/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

The Hakusan White Road – scenic driving　白山ホワイトロード

June 2019, Hakusan White Road A peaceful night at Hida Hakusan as the rain eases and gives way to a morning of patchy sunlight. I make use of the Ashiyu, or hot spring foot-bath, before we set off for the Hakusan White Road. This is a toll road through the mountains from Shirakawago in Gifu over to Ishikawa pref. We have limited expectations, as we know the road is closed, due to a landslide, on the Ishikawa side. We also know it is possible to go as far as the onsen and nature centre. The toll, at 3200-yen return, is a bit steep. In the event, as the way through […]
Tsumago-juku
11/05/2020 / Last updated : 31/01/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Nakasendo from Magome to Tsumago 馬籠から妻籠

June 2019, Kisomura michi no eki is fine for shachuhaku. The traffic did not prove to be a problem. The toilet is modern but does smell a bit. It has no natural ventilation and the automatic fan is not effective enough. That’s my diagnosis – for what it’s worth. Nakasendo from Magome 馬籠 to Tsumago 妻籠   From the michi no eki we drive Route 19 towards Nagoya but branch off and travel through Tsumago and on up to Magome to walk the famous section of the Nakasendo. This is the old Edo era road from Kyoto to Edo, today’s Tokyo. Along this route were numerous – 69 in fact […]
Ainokura
01/07/2019 / Last updated : 31/01/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Ainokura Traditional Houses in Gokayama　五箇山

October 2017, Michi no eki Alp Hida Furukawa Last night’s michi-no-eki Alp Hida Furukawa is, in retrospect, worth recommending as a Shachuhaku spot – large car park, spacious toilet and rubbish bins provided. It was also quiet but that may have been due to the incessant rain.                             The rain persists and we wonder how to spend the day.  Finally, we decide to drive towards Shirakawago, as this is a scenic route, and visit Ainokura.  Ainokura has houses similar to those of Shirakawago but fewer in number and in a less picturesque setting. It also has far […]