Going back to Ome for the third time this month to catch some autumn foliage, Nikita was once again supposed to come with me after we just did Mt. Takamizu last week but unfortunately, he wasn't feeling well so I decided to go at it alone.
Tokyo to Ome was a short ride and I was able to get an early start, the trailhead was hidden behind an archery dojo and two other hikers were about as lost as I was before they pointed it to another possible route. It proved to be the right one. The path was very forested and overgrown which gave me the sense that I was truly in an untouched part of nature, the inclines were steep as I waded through grasses and scaled over fallen trees.
Soon, I reached the actual Ome hiking trail which was a wide open trail, flat for the most part and so pleasantly relaxing. I didn't realize it was going to be like this so I was genuinely happy at the prospect of being able to have a chill walk through the woods, under a canopy of trees. There were groups of trail runners and other joggers along the way. I also saw a strange idol of Kannon supposedly except it was in a shape similar to a Shivling while on a lotus.
Further beyond, I encountered a strange-shaped structure akin to a stupa. The hike continued for a long time through the forests then out into a ridge with views of the town then back into the woods. The trail was gentle most of the time until the approach towards Mt. Raiden. From then on, the hike started to pick up and so did my heart rate. Still nothing too difficult, near the summit there were some castle ruins and at the top, there was a tiny shrine.
Going back down towards Ikusabata station was much easier and soon I was back on the main road going towards Mitake Valley next for the second part of the trip. For only after working hard does the reward taste better.Read more
November 19, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C