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 […]

30/05/2023 / Last updated : 18/06/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu　日本平、久能山

April 1st. 2023 Akabane Loko Park When we went to sleep at Akabane Loko Park we were far from the michi no eki, out along the sea front. We were also alone. In the morning there are 20 or 30 vehicles stretched out along the beach. These are surfers who have arrived during a Friday night. Before breakfast, we move to the michi no eki Akabane Loko Station itself for the facilities and availability of coffee. Our eventual departure sets us up for a day of driving as we head for Nihondaira. First, along a lengthy stretch of Route 42 following the beach to Hamanako. This an inlet from the […]

17/05/2023 / Last updated : 21/05/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Oku-Iya, Ochiai Village and Nagoro Scarecrow Village　　奥祖谷

March 28th. Tuesday Very reasonable night at Michi no eki Musasabi no sato. but very cold as we are at some elevation. The facilities are reasonable. Fresh flowers! It is busy in the morning and the parking is close to the road, but the road is quiet during the night. We leave and take the road towards the famous vine bridge in the Iya valley. This place is very popular with foreign tourists for some reason. We do not view the bridge but press on, on Route 439 towards Mt. Tsurugi. This narrow and tortuous road we follow basically all day. Ochiai Village Observatory　　落合集落展望所 First, we stop at michi no […]

13/07/2022 / Last updated : 18/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Omijima to Akiyoshidai　青海島、秋吉台

April 2022, Michi no eki Senza Kitchen proves to be an OK place to stay. Even on a wet night the distance from the parking to the covered roofing is not so far. We leave and take a short drive to Omijima island. Omijima Omijima is very popular with scuba divers and when we arrive, in the 300-yen car park, there are various dive school groups preparing to take to the water. We are here to ramble along the Omijima nature coast path. This is an easy (approx. 3.5kilo) walk on a concrete path along the fabulous cliff tops. You can stop at the various viewing points to take stereotypical […]

26/05/2022 / Last updated : 18/02/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Shogawa Mizukinen Park　　庄川水記念公園

8th. April, 2022 Elusive viewing point Leaving Kanazawa and heading north, our plan is to visit a viewing spot before traveling up the Japan Sea coast. Apparently, the viewing spot provides a birds eye view of the plains dotted with farmhouses each surrounded by its protective screen of trees (Sankyoson). These houses are a notable feature of the windswept plain between the Japan sea and the mountains of Teteyama. I cannot vouch for this as we failed to find it. Our navi. took us to two erroneous locations before we found the right spot but the after climbing past the now closed ski slopes the road ahead was closed until […]

10/08/2021 / Last updated : 19/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Yamanami Highway, Daikanpo and Nabegataki　やまなみハイウェイ

July 2021, As the pandemic slithers on, long distance travel seems inappropriate, but some relatively local excursions can be excused as contact free. In this spirit we head for Aso. This volcanic vent in central Kyushu is really outstanding and the surrounding area is spectacular in different, calmer ways. Today, we skirt the edge of the Aso caldera and visit Daikanpo. This is a viewing spot on the edge of the caldera that provides a view of the active volcano that is the centre of Mount Aso with all its attendant peaks. The most identifiable being the ragged skyline of Neko-dake. From this viewpoint, one can gain a clear idea […]

28/12/2020 / Last updated : 23/02/2023 d.d Extra Edition-Okinawa

Kura River canoeing, Iriomote Island クーラ川、西表島

Jan. 2020 Breakfast at 8, again heavy on fish but it is fine. After breakfast, those who are going canoeing assemble at 9. The sky is overcast but it is not raining. The young lady, who doubles as a waitress, drives us a couple of kilometers to the canoeing spot. I was surprised that we had to climb over a fence and scramble down a bank into the mangroves in order to reach the stashed canoes. Canoe Trip on Kura river There are only two other people for this jaunt, but the young lady has, unfortunately, brought one set too few paddles. D. and I therefore have a double canoe […]

12/02/2020 / Last updated : 20/03/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Hosooka Viewing Point, Rokka no Mori 　細岡展望台と六花の森

June 2019, Hosooka Viewing Point The morning at Takkoku Campsite is damp and blustery but the only rain is an intermittent sprinkle borne on the wind. For an overall, last look at the wetlands, we set off for the Hosooka Viewing Point. From here there is a good scenic vista of the marshes and the meandering Kushiro River. There is a visitor centre near the viewing point, but parking is limited so it is better to park in the much larger parking area a little lower down. This large car park serves the tiny Kushiro Shitsugen station. The visitor centre is large and provides comfortable armchairs around a huge wood […]