19/12/2018 / Last updated : 16/05/2026 d.d Temple / Shrine

Nikko, Senjogahara hiking　日光

Day 61, November 2016, The morning is cold in michi-no-eki Nikko. There is ice on the windscreen for the first time. The michi-no-eki (road station) is not very large but very busy as people visit the toilet and the convenience store. Toshogu, Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is time for us to pay our respects to Tokugawa Ieyasu, so we head out to his shrine, Toshogu. This shrine, where Tokugawa Ieyasu was enshrined as a god, was re-constructed in 1636 by his grandson the third Tokugawa shogun. We have some trouble finding the car park but, eventually, walk to the shrine. The entrance fee is an exorbitant 1300 yen, especially as most […]

13/12/2018 / Last updated : 22/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Mt. Gassan, hiking　月山

Summer 2018, Woken early by a combination of heat and noisy neighbours packing equipment. A pleasant breakfast but it is becoming too hot to linger in the sun. We pack everything in the car and set off for Mt.Gassan Eighth Station (Midagahara). Kyukamura Haguro campsite is well placed for easy access to Mt. Gassan. Easy access being a steep, narrow, winding road leading to a large car park that is already overflowing at 9.30 am. Mt. Gassan – Midagahara The bright sunshine of the campsite has already given way to low, drifting cloud at this altitude. We plan a short circular walk on the usual wooden walkway around Midagahara. When […]

07/10/2018 / Last updated : 07/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Nakajimadai, beech wood and Kisakata　中島台、象潟

Day 49, October 2016, Yes the rain eased, but returned with a vengeance several times during the night judging by the drumming on the van roof.　The morning is damp but bright and very warm; we hang about so D. can check Higashiyuri road station’s local produce. Nakajimadai, Shishigahana Wetland We set off finally and drive to a beech tree and wetland area (Nakajimadai Shishigahana wetland) on Mt.Chohkai. Beware of bears signs abound as we set off for a walk through the beech woods, our anti-bear bell tinkling. The path is, as usual, along a wooden walkway and is very slippery due to the autumn leaves. I slip a couple of […]

22/04/2018 / Last updated : 05/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Kushiro, Japanese Crane and Norokko train　釧路

Day 25, October 2016, Fox and Japanese Crane The damp of the previous evening lingers in a foggy morning with the sun trying valiantly to break through. I step outside but fail to locate one of my Crocs. This is indispensable footwear for this kind of trip where you are constantly stepping in and out of your vehicle. Thief in the night I had been warned, by various signs in the campsite, not to leave things outside as a couple of young foxes in the area were liable to make off with any item that took their fancy. Habits die hard however and, of course, I left my crocs outside […]

21/04/2018 / Last updated : 05/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Lake Takkobu-Kushiro Wetlands　逹古武湖

Day 24, October 2016, Kottaro viewing point　　コッタロ展望台 The hotel breakfast is a self-service buffet which, for the price, is not at all bad so we leave our first Super Hotel with a positive feeling. Our next destination is Lake Takkobu, where we planed to go canoeing but, on arrival, we discover that canoeing is over for the season. The campsite, at the same location, is very good so we decide to make this our place to spend the night. Thus decided, we drive to a viewing point to see the Kushiro wetlands. The final stretch of road, to the viewing spot (Kottaro viewing point), proves to be 5 kilometres or […]

25/02/2018 / Last updated : 03/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Sarobetsu Wetland to Kabutonuma　サロベツ湿原、兜沼

Day 10, September 2016, The morning breaks bright and windy. Breakfast in our picnic spot, overlooking the bay of Shosanbetsu. We have a sort of sandwich toasting device which allows us to toast bread over the gas burner. This is very useful as it renders edible the shokupan (Japanese white sliced bread) that is all that is available in many places. On this toast, we spread a little mayonnaise, in lieu of butter (butter does not travel well), add a plastic, cheese slice, some ham, cucumber and/or lettuce, black pepper and mustard and even shokupan can be eaten with equanimity. Given coffee, yogurt and plenty of fresh air, a very […]