Mount Kurama

This morning the OKU hiking group took the train to the end of the Kurama line in the mountains. We were told that this would be a gentle 4 km walk. Well, yes, it was gentle, up hill for 2 km! Hundreds of steps. More shrines and temples, but glorious mountain landscapes and lush green trees, about to change colour.
The group are all experienced walkers and Nat, our Guide, complimented the group on their stamina (she included me, however, I was puffing up the rear, a bath of perspiration!). Fortunately my knee seemed to improve with the hike, even with all the steps up and down.
We visited the Nishiki Markets on our way back to the hotel. All sorts of food available there and lots of other things as well.
We had a couple from Woolongong (Kristina & Reiner) for happy hour before we went to a small Japanese Restaurant where we had a delicious meal of beef ramen.
Tomorrow is a 16 km hike to Nara (the original capital of Japan even before Kyoto). Thank you for your positive vibes re my pesky knee - it helped heaps!Read more