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 […]

09/10/2025 / Last updated : 09/10/2025 d.d Koshin and Tokai region

Tanukiko & Hottarakashi onsen　　田貫湖、ほったらかし温泉

May 28th. 2025 Michi no eki Narusawa Wake in michi no eki Narusawa after a wet night. The morning is bright and clear and Fujisan stark and majestic against a blue, blue sky. Beautiful, apart from the buildings, water tanks, cables and netting. Narusawa is ok for an overnight, but not I suspect at weekends. The toilets are reasonable though really, for such a large and popular spot, one has come to expect something a lot better. Wandering around we discover a large grassy expanse with children’s play areas and clear Fuji views that are already beginning to cloud over. Lake Tanuki　　田貫湖 We leave heading for Tanukiko. This lake promises […]

09/10/2025 / Last updated : 09/10/2025 d.d Hiking / Walking

Teppogi no Atama, view of Mt. Fuji 鉄砲木の頭

May 24th. & 27th. 2025 Doryu Waterfall　　　吐龍の滝 On the way to Kiyosato, we pay a visit to Doryu waterfall. This is reached by a short walk through delightful, deciduous woods resplendent in fresh foliage. Only the beware of bears sign put a damper on the stroll. The falls themselves are not spectacular but pretty enough with the odd patch of azalea adding colour. Michi no eki Tabayama　　道の駅たばやま Then a fine, mountain drive to our michi no eki for the night. Michi no eki Tabayama appears to be deep in the forest but we find unexpectedly that it has an onsen. As it is still early and the rain finally arrives, […]

06/08/2019 / Last updated : 12/05/2026 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Matsue castle, ‘plover castle’　松江城

October 2017, Matsue Castle We head for Matsue to visit the castle. The castle, or the remaining, very fine black tower, is original – built in 1611. This trip all seems to connect with Sekigahara as the previous one was all Meiji restoration. We wander the castle grounds but do not enter. We do go into the large, nearby Meiji era building that was built for a visit of the Meiji emperor that never occurred. The crown prince who later became the Taisho emperor, whom nobody wants to talk about very much, did show up. The building is empty of anything, including interest but it looks good from the outside. […]