10/05/2023 / Last updated : 16/05/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Yusumizugaura and Sotodomari, stone wall scenery in Ehime　遊子水荷浦、外泊

2023 spring trip. March 25th. & 26th. Houyo Strait　　豊予海峡 From Saganoseki, Kyushu to Misaki Port, Shikoku by Kokudo Kyushi ferry. This is a 70-minute, drive on/drive off, trip across the Houyo Strait. This strait is famous for its strong current and the resulting delicious fish. The current I can vouch for, the changes in the surface of the sea are very apparent. The fish, not so much. Once in Shikoku, we head for Tsushima Yasuragi no Sato for the night. This michi no eki is good on this very wet night, being flat and with a covered walkway to approach the facilities. But the bath and the restaurant have closed […]
Odaigahara
04/03/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Odaigahara, to the edge of the abyss.　　大台ヶ原

Oct. 23rd. 2022, Kiho-Umigami Koen michi no eki Kiho-Umigami Koen is in most ways a good place to stay. There is a covered walkway which would be great on a rainy night, and it is flat with reasonable facilities. It was a little noisy on a Saturday night. It was also very warm for late October, and we were troubled by mosquitoes. The beach here is famous as a spot for Sea Turtles to lay eggs, as the name suggests. Odaigahara We leave the coast and head into the mountains again. This time to Odaigahara on the Odaigahara driveway. As we climb, approaching our destination, the view of mountains is […]
04/03/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Dorogawa Onsen, and the wild road to the demon coast　　洞川温泉

Oct. 22nd. 2022, Good night at michi no eki Resti Karako-kagi on the outskirts of Nara. The number of overnight vehicles seems to have increased since our last visit. On leaving, the first thing we do is fill up with fuel. Nara is significantly cheaper than Nagoya. Why should that be? Dorogawa Onsen Full tank, we set off into the mountains to Dorogawa onsen at Tenkawa-mura. This village is the gateway to Ominesan Temple. Well, gateway for males, women are forbidden to approach too close. The onsen village is crowded into a narrow valley so charging for parking is a local industry. We park at Ryusenji Temple, and D. collects a […]
Kamikochi, Taisho-ike
28/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Kamikochi, beyond Kappa Bashi　　上高地

Oct. 18th. 2022, Okuhidaonsengo Kamitakara michi no eki The second night at Okuhidaonsengo Kamitakara is different. It is not raining, and the morning promises fine so perhaps this is why it was much busier and rather noisy. Mostly chatter and car doors banging as, I suppose, people prepare to leave well before sunrise to scale high peaks. Shuttle bus to Kamikochi We were up before 6.30am but at least it was daylight. We drive the 10 or 15 kilometres back to Hirayu, Akandana car park for the shuttle bus to Kamikochi. Private vehicles are not permitted into Kamikochi beyond the Kama tunnel on R. 158, so the only options are […]
Tsugaike Shizen-en
20/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Tsugaike Shinzen-en, great hike in mist and autumn colours　栂池

October 2022, Michi no eki Hakuba Michi no eki Hakuba was busy as expected and the facilities are small for such a popular place. However, new toilets were under construction. One group of overnighters with two vehicles had commandeered a third parking space and set up tables and chairs until a biker arrived and pointed out the error of their ways. At which, they contritely freed up the space that was quickly filled. Tsugaike Shizen-en We set off earlier than usual to drive to Tsugaike Shizen-en. Well, to the car park for the gondola which takes you to the ropeway. This combined ride is about 30 minutes. Quite thrilling, with […]
18/02/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Hakuba Happo-one, Happoike hiking　八方池

October 2022, Despite its grim appearance, michi no eki Shinshushinmachi is fine from a shachuhaku point of view. There were very few other vehicles, the facilities large and clean and rubbish bins are provided. The road has very little traffic during the night. Hakuba Happo-one An early rise, and off to Hakuba Happo-one. Already busy when we arrive and parking at 1000 yen a bit shocking, plus the two chair lifts and gondola ride make this a pricy outing. The chair lift is an interesting ride in itself, and it is clear some people ride it for its own sake and do not venture further up the mountain. The lift […]
Oyasukyo
12/01/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Oyasukyo Gorge　小安峡

Early October ’22 Michi no eki Misato and Jumonji Michi no eki Misato is OK for an overnight stay but parking is close to the main road or alternatively far from the facilities. We soon set off for the Oyasukyo gorge but pull into michi no eki Jumonji. This michi no eki is large and very busy as the vast selection of fresh vegetables on display were surprisingly cheap. There were all kinds of strange edibles for sale. I don’t think it would be good for an overnight. Oyasukyo Gorge Setting off again for Oyasukyo, it begins to rain and is soon a steady downpour. The drive through the mountains […]
10/01/2023 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Hachimantai hiking　八幡平

October ’22 Michi no eki Ikarigaseki On a grey, chilly morning, a wander around behind the sheeted building reveals the elusive onsen and a large sign indicating its position. Darkness does things like that. Ikarigaseki is a good michi no eki for an overnight stay. Good parking and very new, modern facilities. The onsen, sadly, I cannot vouch for. We depart for Hachimantai, stopping at michi no eki Kazuno. This again has very new, very large toilet facilities and offers fresh vegetables and omiyage (souvenirs). It has a huge parking area but none adjacent to the toilets. Hachimantai Approaching Hachimantai, there are signs of incipient koyo (autumn colours). Nothing spectacular, […]