02/07/2022 / Last updated : 02/07/2022 d.d Following The Cherry Blossom Front

Amanohashidate to Kinosaki Onsen　天橋立、城崎温泉

19th. April Michi no eki Mikatagoko Michi no eki Mikatagoko is a good place to stay. There is a view of the lake and it is quiet away from the road. On the other hand, the toilet is too small given the popularity of the place and irrationally it has no bins for rubbish. Not even for drink cans and bottles though there are 3 vending machines. I thought this irresponsible. In the morning, we were disappointed to discover that the lakeside walking path does not extend very far at all. There are bird watching hides around the place but few bird at this time of year. Some of the […]

09/06/2022 / Last updated : 09/06/2022 d.d Following The Cherry Blossom Front

Shakuson-ji Temple　釈尊寺

April 14th. This morning we are off to towards Komoro to visit Shakuson-ji, also known as Nunobiki Kannon. This proves to be a very good choice far outweighing our expectations. Shakuson-ji Unimpressive at first, the car park is an anonymous patch of gravel under some trees by the side of the road. There are steps leading upwards. Starting to ascend, We soon find ourselves in a narrow gorge with a small steam, moss covered boulders, tall trees and towering cliffs. As we follow the steps upwards, the gorge becomes ever more dramatic until we come to a small temple gate on our right and high above clinging to the cliff […]

09/06/2022 / Last updated : 09/06/2022 d.d Following The Cherry Blossom Front

Mt. Kobo Tomb Hiking　弘法山古墳

13th April Michi no Eki Farmus Kijimadaira Michi no Eki Farmus Kijimadaira gave us a very quiet night. This michi no eki provides no rubbish bins and there are notices requesting you take your rubbish home. Today we are traveling to Matsumoto city in Nagano prefecture to view the cherry blossom of the 4,000 trees covering an ancient tomb. Nakayama Cemetery　中山霊園 Arriving in Matsumoto we make for the Nakayama municipal cemetery. From there, there is a short, about 5km. return hike to the tomb and 4,000 cherry trees. It was a surprise to find that the cemetery shares space with a mallet golf course. Mallet golf which, I suspect is […]

02/06/2022 / Last updated : 06/06/2022 d.d Following The Cherry Blossom Front

Climbing Yahiko-san 　弥彦山

11th. April Michi no eki Kugami　道の駅国上 Michi no eki Kugami is an excellent place for an overnight stay. When we visited it was basically closed for renovation. Major building work was in progress. This explained the absence of light in the car park. The new building looked almost complete but there was no sign of work underway. The toilets were open and splendid they are. The fine mirrors are, apparently, metal, to reflect the predominant industry of these parts (Tsubamesanjo). This explains why the other michi no eki hereabouts all have displays of scissors, knives and garden shears. Yahiko-san　弥彦山 Our target today is Yahiko-san (Mt.Yahiko). A small mountain only 600 […]

30/03/2022 / Last updated : 30/03/2022 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

Mt. Aso, Kijima-dake and Hourei no yu　阿蘇杵島岳、豊礼の湯

Dec ’21 Minami Aso, Kugino michi no eki Waking in Minami Aso on a frosty, misty morning that promises a fine day, we walk around the large, flat area that comprises this michi no eki. We note the dog run and the large Christmas illuminations that are unilluminated at this time of the morning. There is also an artificial, rectangular pond. It reflects the mountains and a series of cartoon figures in silhouette so I conclude it is for Instagram purposes. Nevertheless, the soft morning light, the mist and the hazy blue mountains are an absolute delight. Mt. Aso From the road station we set off for Mt. Aso. As […]

26/03/2022 / Last updated : 26/03/2022 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

Ebino Plateau and the 3 Lake Course　えびの高原

December, ’21 A bright full moon and a very cold night. Ebino Plateau We set off on a beautiful morning for the Ebino Plateau, making sure to buy supplies on the way before getting into the mountains. It is often difficult to buy food in very rural areas. Around midday, we arrived at a large car park of Ebino Eco Museum Centre. From here we could see the snow on Mount Io and Karakunidake glistening in the bright sunshine, there was, however, a bitterly cold wind whipping across the open space. The 3 Lakes Course　池めぐりコース We had planned to hike around the three crater lakes, but part of the route […]

10/03/2022 / Last updated : 10/03/2022 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

National Route 445 and Takachiho Gorge　　国道445号、高千穂峡

Dec. ’21 National Route 445 Today we are making for Takachiho and its famous gorge. It is many, many years since we were last there. First, we have to cross the Kyushu Mountains. The highway is the easy but dull option, so we take Route 445. This is a national route, but the actuality makes this hard to credit. Long sections of this road are far too narrow for two vehicles to pass, and it is very windy indeed. There is evidence of rockfalls, and road subsidence everywhere so considerable maintenance is essential. This in turn means construction traffic, so the possibility of meeting oncoming dump trucks is constant. As […]

02/05/2021 / Last updated : 28/10/2021 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

Kora Taisha shrine and Rhododendron hiking in Kurume　高良大社

Kora Taisha Hiking in Kurume Today we plan to hike the Kyushu Olle hiking course to Kora Taisha shrine in Kurume. We take the Kyushu highway and exit at the Kurume interchange. From here it is a short drive that quickly leaves the town and begins to climb through narrow streets. Soon the houses are left behind and the road climbs steeply, with numerous bends, through wooded mountain or steep hillside. The full Olle hiking course starts from Kurume University station and ends at Mii station further down the line. This complete course necessitates taking the train and, as we are accompanied by a large dog, this is not feasible. […]