26/05/2022 / Last updated : 26/05/2022 d.d Following The Cherry Blossom Front

Shogawa Mizukinen Park　　庄川水記念公園

8th. April 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 April […]
view from Daikanpo
10/08/2021 / Last updated : 28/10/2021 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

Yamanami Highway, Daikanpo and Nabegataki　やまなみハイウェイ、大観峰、鍋ヶ滝

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 of the […]
Chimachibou
09/01/2021 / Last updated : 10/10/2021 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

Chimachibou to Ikitsuki Island　乳待房、生月島

November. 2020 Yamabushi The middle of a pandemic, despite the government’s urging “Go To Travel” is not the ideal time to set out on a trip. The government’s campaign may be an economic success in the short term but, perhaps, also a super spreader event. Shachuhaku, we reason, is different in that you can almost completely isolate yourself traveling in your own bubble. So we set off on a short trip to explore Chimachibou. This is a small but rugged mountain in Saga Prefecture. It features perpendicular crags – like those in Chinese sumi-e paintings – that are much sought after by Yamabushi. This religious sect venerate mountains and favour […]
Ishigaki port
28/12/2020 / Last updated : 10/10/2021 d.d Extra Edition-Okinawa

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

Day 7 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 […]
Norikuradake
21/05/2020 / Last updated : 11/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

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 […]
12/02/2020 / Last updated : 14/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

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

June 15th. 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 […]
Mt.Io
07/02/2020 / Last updated : 15/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

Lake Mashu, Mt.Io and Kami no ko Ike　摩周湖、硫黄山、神の子池

June 12th. Lake Mashu A peaceful night at Mashu Onsen michi no eki but it becomes noisy around 5am., as the various shachuhaku (sleep in the car) vehicles prepare to leave. We sleep later, have a leisurely breakfast, and leave around 9. First, we make for Mashuko or Lake Mashu. This lake is famous for its magnificent blue and, equally famous, obscuring fog. On a previous visit, we were lucky to catch it on a day of serene blue sky so arrive with limited expectations as the day is overcast and grey. In fact, the lake is still a sight to behold. It is neither a piercing blue nor a […]
08/12/2019 / Last updated : 17/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

Oyashirazu, where the Japan Alps meet the sea　親不知

May 26th/27th The trip begins as we set out after lunch and take the Chugoku expressway. We pull in to the Kasai service area at around 9pm, after a long, smooth drive. The Chugoku Expressway is almost always deserted. After dark, the insects were hitting the windscreen like rain. The second day is another long drive, in 32-degree heat, on the traffic free highway. For some inexplicable reason, the speed limit is 80k. sometimes, equally enigmatically, dropping to 60k. Oyashirazu Leaving the highway, we stop at Oyashirazu in Niigata prefecture. We park the car at Tenken community square, near the Oyashirazu Kanko Hotel and walk the community road to the […]