02/05/2021 / Last updated : 10/10/2021 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. […]

10/04/2021 / Last updated : 09/10/2021 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

Nagoya Castle, Hideyoshi’s base camp in Saga　名護屋城

March 26th. 2021 Niji no Matsubara　虹の松原 We set off for Karatsu heading towards Yobuko and the Genkai Nuclear Power station. Not that we have become fans of nuclear power generation, but we want to explore Nagoya Castle. No, not the Nagoya castle in Aichi prefecture but the less distinguished affair in Saga near the Genkai Power station. This Nagoya Castle or its remains, and the remains of 150 plus other base camps, are the relics of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s ill- fated attempt to conquer Korea. It is also noted for its cherry blossom so now is the optimum time to pay a visit. Following R. 202, we pass through Nijo no […]

24/12/2020 / Last updated : 10/10/2021 d.d Extra Edition-Okinawa

Urauchi River Cruise and Hiking, Iriomote island　浦内川クルーズ、西表島

Day 6 Up around 7 am and start the day with a quick convenience store breakfast in our hotel room. This is a concrete box, even on the inside. Taking the ferry to Iriomote island After checking out, we walk to the ferry terminal to take the ferry to Uehara on Iriomote Island. However, as we had been warned, due to inclement weather the ferry to Uehara is not running. The route of the Uehara ferry is outside the shelter of the islands, so the sea is too rough when the wind is from the north, especially in winter. Passengers for this ferry are then, routinely, transferred to the Ohara […]

16/09/2020 / Last updated : 10/10/2021 d.d Drive Kansai Area

Yagyu Kaido Takisaka-no-michi　柳生街道　滝坂の道

November 2nd. Bus to Enjoji-temple We leave Resti Karako Kagi early. We have to catch a bus to Ishiuchi from in front of Nara Kintetsu station at 9.15. This bus will take us to Ninnikusan bus stop. A fare of 660 yen. This stop is next to Enjoji Temple which has a splendid garden, a pond and a very famous statue by Unkei. On this occasion, we do not visit the temple but cross the road in front of it and take the Yagyu Kaido Takisaka no Michi back to Nara where we have parked the car. This is a walk of about 12 kilometres. At this point the path […]

18/08/2020 / Last updated : 09/10/2021 d.d Drive Shikoku Area

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

October 30th. 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. Yusuhara Town In the morning, we drop down the hill into Yusuhara town to look around. Yusuhara is an interesting place due to the number of unusual buildings designed by Kuma Kengo, of Tokyo Olympic Stadium fame. In addition […]

21/05/2020 / Last updated : 11/10/2021 d.d Drive Chubu Area

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

June 13th. 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 […]

11/05/2020 / Last updated : 11/10/2021 d.d Drive Chubu Area

Nakasendo from Magome to Tsumago 馬籠から妻籠

June 10th. 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 […]

10/05/2020 / Last updated : 11/10/2021 d.d Drive Chubu Area

Togakushi Kodo and Okusha, Lake Kizaki　戸隠古道、木崎湖

July 8th. Otari michi no eki Otari michi no eki is a noisy place, even on a Sunday night. It is on a straight stretch of road at the bottom of a long hill so the trucks, of which there are many, really get up speed, sweeping down or taking a run up for the climb. They roar past very close to the parking. The morning is bright, hot and sunny so we think we will grab the chance to walk Happo-One and see the view. It is only a 10 or 15-minute drive but during that short period the cloud has rolled in and the nearby hilltops are lost […]