Akigawa Valley
2 Julai 2023, Jepun ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
I was invited by Chinatsu, whom I met during the Koboyama sakura hike, for a walk in nature through Akigawa Valley. There I met Teep again and two new friends, Ruru from China and Eva from Taiwan.
I remember that I wanted to the Akigawa hiking course before so I searched up the map that showed the route and I was designated as the guide for the day.
Our walk took us to a bridge and below for a peaceful walk by the river. It was a bright and sunny day, flowers were blooming and butterflies were flying around. There were farm fields here and there and people and dogs playing by the river. The path was generally flat and this continued on for a bit with plenty of jolly conversation.
The route took us to Kotoku Temple, an ancient giant temple with much growth on its roofs, we were getting some Mononoke Hime vibes from this place. The main temple was humongous and it made us look like tiny people as we stood in awe in front of it. From there, we walked further towards a bridge where Ruru said that there was an awesome cafe with a terrace view of the river. We went there and she was right, the place had the best view in the house but they only served drinks and we were hungry. We went up some stairs to look for a restaurant that served actual food but we ended up in some sort of traditional mountain village that was a bit on the higher end.
The main highlight of the village was the water wheel, deeper inside there was a ryokan and a restaurant at the end. We ordered some bentos and went back to the terrace cafe and with our tummies full, it was time to carry on.
There were plenty more temples to see, Kogon-ji where was saw some Jizo statues and an idol of Hotei by the entrance. We also passed by Mishima Shrine, a Shinto temple tucked away deep inside a forest. Being there felt like a page out of a fairy tale with the sunlight peeking through the tall trees and causing a shimmering atmosphere.
From there, after another 20-minute walk, we finally made it to Akigawa Valley. We saw the famous bridge and saw some crazy guys jumping into the water for the rocky cliffs. We took a break by the foot baths and I had some ice cream before we went on the search on how to get down to the river. After a long journey, at last we got to rest our weary feet in the cool waters of the river. We were under the bridge so we had ample shade and the breeze was cool and refreshing. It felt like all the fatigue of the day disappeared. On our way back, we took the bus back to the station and went on our separate ways.Baca lagi
Mt. Ogusu
5 Ogos 2023, Jepun ⋅ 🌬 30 °C
In the heat of summer, I decided to do a short day hike just to get in touch with nature. It was just on a whim, a quick scan through the available trails that I had saved and I stumbled upon a trail in Yokosuka.
Mt. Ogusu through the Maedabashi Course. It looked easy enough, not too high, and just the perfect duration. I invited some friends but only Eva was able to make it, whom I met when we did the Akigawa Valley walking route.
Eva was a go-getter, she planned everything quite well. Got us some day tickets that included lunch, a souvenir, and even a ferry cruise to Enoshima! It sounded like it was going to be a great day.
As we got to Zushi, we got on the bus to go to the trailhead. On the way, I noticed on the map that the starting point was near Tateishi Park. I've always wanted to go there ever since we went to Jogashima and it looks like today's the perfect day. Things just keep getting better and better.
The Maedabashi Course was very interesting, it was basically a river that we followed but it was also covered by trees, so the shade was a god-sent in the sweltering summer heat. We had to jump through stones, formed as natural bridges multiple times to cross to each side. There were waterfalls, fish, and even dogs swimming around. It was a peaceful walk until we started hiking Mt. Ogusu.
The hike was gradual, with easy inclines but the heat and humidity definitely made it more difficult. Nevertheless, the sounds of the cicadas and birds accompanied us along the way, making things much more bearable. Soon enough, we were at one of the summits after ascending a couple of more stairs.
There was a lighthouse perched here, we climbed 60 steps up to find breathtaking panoramic views of the Miura Peninsula. I took the time to just catch my breath here, closing my eyes and feeling the wind caress my face. I could just sleep here, everything was peaceful.
We had to push on though, we could see the summit just up ahead, and after a couple of more flights of stairs, we finally reached the top. A strange place with some sort of stone table in the middle. We ate the egg sandwiches that we got for lunch here which was more than enough.
On the descent, I was excited to go to Tateishi Park next but according to Eva, we didn't have enough time to make it to the cruise if we went which was a bit disappointing for me but I could always come back again.
As we were going to the bus stop, we stopped by the supermarket where I got some much-deserved ice cream. On the way to the Port, Eva got a call that the ferry was canceled due to strong winds, which was another big bummer. With a change of plans, we went to a cafe called Chubby Chicken instead to get our free souvenirs as the activity was canceled.
I got some dried flowers whilst Eva got fresh ones. We both had peach and vanilla ice cream as well, my second one for the day!
Still, we wanted to make the most out of the day so as it turns out, we headed back to Tateishi Park.Baca lagi
Tateishi Park
5 Ogos 2023, Jepun ⋅ 🌬 30 °C
Tateishi Park was one of the highlights of the day for us. A beautiful lone rock protruding out from the blue sea. It was very scenic. Paired with a beautiful pine tree perched on top of a cliff, reaching out to the horizon, it was like an enchanted painting.
Going around the park, provided us the opportunity for amazing photos and afterward, we just sat and admired nature's artistry.
It wasn't over yet though, we visited one more stop on the way back to Zushi Station, Chogasaki. A cape with a mountain range that extends out to the sea. We admired it from the other side as it basked in the sun's golden light, climbing over some fences and onto the grasslands revealed that there was a beach right under our noses.
What a perfect way to end the day.Baca lagi
Miura
16 September 2023, Jepun ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Eva seemed to have the whole trip planned out. I met her with Teep and Chinatsu in Shinagawa before we made our way down to the Miura Peninsula.
A short bus ride took us to Koajiro no Mori, a pleasant walking trail albeit a short one. The boardwalk took us through a marsh, to Enoki Terrace overlooking the flower fields. We took a rest here under the shade of a tree, the nasty combo of hot and humid made things very difficult.
There was a fork in the road, we took the right path towards the so-called Crab Plaza. We saw some signs showing a guide on how the different types of crabs would "dance" and to our surprise, the path led to the bay where from afar, we could see hundreds of tiny critters which upon closer inspection, turned out to be the crabs. I thought they would be bigger, but they were indeed dancing while Eva and Chinatsu sang "Dancing Queen."
Further out on the beach, we saw a strange jellyfish that was already doomed to perish.
Going back to the terrace on going to the left side of the fork, we got to Shirahige Shrine, a Shinto shrine with a giant oyster shell at the entrance. I saw an inner shrine dedicated to Inari as well.
To end the day, we went to the onsen at Hotel Keikyu. Everything was already part of the tickets Eva bought. The views of Miura at the outdoor baths were phenomenal, the sauna was another highlight.
For lunch, we had amazing seafood. Some of the freshest fatty tuna I've had the chance to partake in awhile.
A great weekend day trip, that's for sure.Baca lagi
Toyama
6 Oktober 2023, Jepun ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
I was battling a nasty cold, a sore throat got me feeling so weak but everything had already been booked so I simply had to go.
I dragged myself to Tokyo Station to get on the bullet train to Toyama. It wasn't easy, and I found myself constantly doubting if I was even up for this.
This was special though, a pilgrimage to one of Japan's Three Holy Mountains, Mt. Tateyama was one for the books.
I made it and was able to make it to my hostel in Takaoka, Traveler's Roots. The night was difficult, to say the least, the only good thing was that there were no snorers. I still found myself fending off a fever, sweating throughout the night was good, I suppose.
I had to get medicine tomorrow, it was my only rest day before doing the hike.Baca lagi
Shomyo Falls
7 Oktober 2023, Jepun ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
The next day, I tried to get in as much rest as I could in the morning but I had to move.
One, I need food. And two, I had to get some medicine. Three, I had to go see Japan's tallest waterfall: Shomyo Falls.
The first pharmacy near my place was still closed so I went to Takaoka Station's FamilyMart to get some breakfast and got some medicine at the nearby pharmacy, Kusuri no Aoki.
I had some time to kill before the next train to Toyama. From there, a trip to Tateyama where I got a bowl of Udon. Checked out the Tateyama Caldera Sabo Museum which was pretty interesting and took a sip at Kumao Spring which was said to be blessed by Tateyama Gongen, a drink from this pool would ensure his protection which was definitely something I needed at that time.
The bus took us towards Shomyo Falls, where we had to do a kilometer hike which takes around 20 - 30 minutes. It was brutal for me, my body was still weak, and the cold air rasped at my throat. But the show had to go on.
I dragged myself one step at a time and I gotta say, it was worth it. Shomyo Falls was majestic from afar and even more up close. There were different platform levels for viewing though the best ones were near the bridge.
Making my way back to the bus stop was easier as it was downhill though the trip back to Takaoka was still difficult, my body just felt too fatigued.
Still, I had to check out Takaoka's Great Buddha, one of the Three Great Buddha statues in Japan, including the ones at Nara and Kamakura.
It was again, a depiction of Amitabha Buddha with exactly the same mudra as the one in Kamakura. Yet, what makes this one unique is the giant halo around the head. The interior had a lot of interesting thangkas and mandalas. The original head that was left unscathed from the fire was in the inner central chamber, colored black. I definitely prayed for some strength to do the hike the next day.
Finally, with the day's bucket list all checked off, I went back to my hostel to eat dinner where I first met Mae. She spoke pretty good English, so I assumed she wasn't from here but turns out she was Japanese and spent a couple of years in Dubai.
The guy manning the hostel also told me that it had started to snow, I didn't think too much of it at that time as I was still expecting to see some autumn colors but just like Nikko, I was going to be in for a doozy.
It was fun to talk to Mae and we had some good talks but I was too tired and too out of it, so I went back to try and get some rest, halfway through the night, my body started to feel better and stronger. I felt like I could definitely do the hike at this rate.Baca lagi
Tateyama
8 Oktober 2023, Jepun ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
Finally, the reason for coming all the way to Toyama in the first place. I woke up around 5:00AM, grabbed my things and went down for a quick shower. Seeing that I still had some time to spare, I ate some onigiris before heading out in the cool morning.
The town was quiet but there was already some light, with the sound of chirping birds not too far off. I felt good, grateful that I wasn't too sick or tired. I felt confident that I was going to pull this off, though my throat was definitely still not feeling well.
A train to Toyama and a long bus ride going straight to Murodo with a stopover at a nearby 7/11 allowed me to get more meals in before the climb. Just meditated on some mantras, trying to get whatever strength I could. Tateyama was quite special, having its own faith and mandala showcasing the journey to enlightenment.
I was expecting to see some autumn foliage but unfortunately, the world had different plans. The snow from yesterday completely covered everything and turned the mountain into a winter wonderland. The good news, it was beautiful. Bad news, I didn't have the gear nor was I prepared to do a winter snow hike. Upon alighting the bus at Murodo, I immediately felt the cold dry air harshly scraping my throat. I quickly went out to find the trailhead, using my jacket to cover my nose and just realizing my folly at how difficult this hike was going to be.
I went past most of the sights and immediately began the hike, there weren't that many people and I found that I had the whole mountain to myself after a while, and by mountain, I meant the whole alpine range.
The landscapes were surreal, I thought I was on another planet or perhaps Switzerland. But the weather made things ethereal and so otherworldly. I pushed forward step by step, and soon enough my poor body got used to the strain, including my throat so I just went with it and hoped it would be alright the next day. Keeping it moist with some honey and replenishing it with some meds throughout the trek.
There were several checkpoints throughout with amazing vistas, I picked a spot and partook in some onigiri and bananas before continuing on to the next one. My vision was a bit strained, I should have brought sunglasses. It was a good thing it was cloudy or else the snow would have been blinding. As I said, I definitely wasn't prepared for this hike.
I made it to the first landmark, Oyama Shrine which the guy manning the hostel said, most people just reach this point before turning back. But not me, I had to at least reach the highest point in the Tateyama Mountain range so I continued onwards, to Onanjiyama's peak. This time, it was much more challenging, the snow was deeper and the path less trodden, but since I was still going up, I managed. Though I was worried about the descent.
Reaching Onanjiyama was great, finally, the highest point meaning half the struggle was over. Now comes the decision, to continue the circuit or head down the same way. I didn't see many people going out further, but from the distance a tiny silhouette of someone doing the roundabout. That was enough to instill some confidence in me to do the whole trip. I asked some other hikers heading the opposite way if they saw anyone else, and they said they encountered someone 20 minutes ago, though they warned me that it would be difficult as they looked at my crampon-less shoes.
I was doing a lot of mental gymnastics: "I was able to do Hallasan just fine without crampons, and I was able to do Mt. Fuji in a day so theoretically, I should be able to do Tateyama just fine." Well, in the end, I think the decision was made even the day before the hike so I still went for it with a newfound determination in my stride.
The hike's difficulty took a massive turn, I found myself constantly slipping, my hands going into the snow, and ice getting in my shoes. Once was alright but after the tenth time or so, they started to accumulate and my body's heat with it. It was a good thing it wasn't a windy day. This continued on for hours, the landscapes becoming much more rugged yet pristine as I went around the circuit, at one point reaching a completely snowladen mountain.
The last few kilometers of the descent proved to be the most challenging part of the hike and I found myself slipping every few steps which was really frustrating, no matter how much I tried to stop myself, I would still slip! Finally reaching the flats at the bottom was a huge relief, and yet I found myself on the short end of the stick as I realized there was only 1 bus left that day and I had to catch it or else I'd be stuck.
I was contemplating the whole time to go for an onsen and was so tempted to warm up but it didn't seem like I would have the time and went pass it. Though stopping by to get awesome reflection shots of Mirugaike was great!
Relieved that I made it back to the main station, a kind gentleman tried to help me get things sorted out but it turned out there were still some more buses running that day so everything turned out just fine. I got 3 vegetable buns and finished two before getting on the bus that took us to Bijodaira where I took a cable car back to Tateyama. From there, a train back to Toyama and then a transfer to Takaoka.
Back in Takaoka, I felt good, powerful even. Energetic, happy, and confident. I freakin' did it. What an adventure, what a ride, what a thrill to have accomplished such a thing. The walk back to the hostel was one filled with joy and the look on the hostel's receptionist's face when I told him I still did the whole circuit was hilarious. His mouth was gaping open as he asked "Was there a lot of snow?" "Was it difficult without crampons?" Yes and yes, my friend it was definitely that but hey I'm here.
As I was eating my last vegetable bun, Mei showed up again. I felt bad for not being too friendly last night so I invited her to sit next to me and we talked for about a half hour or so before she had to make a call. It was short but I had a lot of fun, we shared some laughs and some introspective conversation. I said goodbye and was so excited to take a shower and get some much-needed rest.Baca lagi
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
9 Oktober 2023, Jepun ⋅ 🌧 8 °C
Waking up early the next morning, my overall well-being felt much better. I stumbled into the showers, got my things ready, and headed out into Takaoka's cool morning one last time.
Today, I was traversing the entire Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route heading all the way to Nagano on the other side. It was going to be quite a journey.
Taking the same train back to Tateyama where I had another bowl of udon for breakfast while waiting for the cable car to Bijoudaira. From Bijoudaira, instead of taking the bus all the way to Murodo, I dropped by the Midagahara Wetlands instead. It was a rainy day, but it was still beautiful, the mist around the orange grass and autumn foliage made it look like something out of a fairytale. There were 2 routes and I opted for the longer course which could be completed in just an hour.
The boardwalks took me around the entire perimeter and I got to see tiny puddles and streams meandering in and around the wetlands. Halfway through, it had started to rain much harder so I quickened my pace and was able to reach the rest house with enough time to catch my breath before the next bus to Murodo arrived.
In Murodo, I was ready to finally make up for yesterday's missed onsen opportunity. I quickly made my way back to Mikurigaike Onsen, taking a peak at the nearby Hell's Valley that I had missed previously. The rain today sent Mikurigaike Pond's waters rippling so there was no reflection shot at all. I'm glad I opted to take the route going through it yesterday.
Finally, being able to dip my tired and weary body into the mineral-rich onsen was absolutely divine. There weren't that many people and there was a time when I had the baths all to myself. After a replenishing bath, I went to grab some lunch, seeing as I still had enough time.
With my tummy full, I made my way back to Murodo but not before dropping by Tamadono Fountain to refill my water bottle with some fresh mountain water. The taste was amazing!
Then comes the series of transportation, first up was the underground trolley bus from Murodo to Daikanbo. Daikanbo has a pretty good viewing point that requires taking some flights of stairs up, other than that, there's not much to do except wait for the Tateyama Ropeway. Unfortunately, I had just missed the ride, but it comes frequently every 20 minutes or so and I soon found myself looking out through the window of the cablecar, down at the sea of fiery autumn trees.
The Tateyama Ropeway dropped me over at Kurobedaira, there's a souvenir shop here but the Zen garden outside easily steals the show. Some interesting rocks, autumn foliage, flowers, and mountain views await. Finally, I rode another cable car from Kurobedaira to Kurobeko, where we would walk the rest of the way to Kurobe Dam.
Kurobe Dam was massive. Being Japan's biggest dam, the scale was almost unsurmountable. I admired the views of Kurobeko Lake on one side, and the giant dam on the other. It was quite silent, so I thought to myself maybe the dam wasn't running at this time of the year. But as I approached the center, I could see them: two giant torrents of water cascading down towards the river below. For such a huge deluge, it was surprisingly not that loud. Perhaps it was the way the dam was constructed. I finished the walk to the other side and went down towards the Rainbow Terrace, where supposedly one could see rainbows but the weather that day wasn't optimal. From there, I went up to the observatory to get the best view of the dam. Worth it.
Successfully scaling the entire dam area, I dropped by the museum but it was all in Japanese. I then proceeded deeper into a tunnel underground where the final ride to Ogizawa was waiting. From Ogizawa, it was another bus to Nagano station where I had dinner at a Saizeriya, then a bullet train back to Tokyo.Baca lagi
Niigata
21 Oktober 2023, Jepun ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
My hiking buddy from Switzerland, Scarlett, had invited me and her other friend, Lisa for a trip down south to Niigata. Only for her to cancel last minute due to an accident so now it was just going to be me and Lisa, someone whom I've never met before. It was going to be an interesting trip.
From Tokyo, we took a bullet train to Joetsu Myoko where we got a rental car. It was raining. Our first stop of the day was Kiyotsu Gorge and the drive took more than an hour, but we got to know each other for a bit, sharing some laughs along the way. I was navigating as the car's system was whack.
Kiyotsu Gorge itself was marvelous, the autumn foliage was mesmerizing and the mist surrounding the mountains added more to its enchantment. We went inside a long tunnel with four viewing platforms. The first one was just a simple viewpoint for the gorge. The second one had a strange toilet at the center that was see-through from one side and the surrounding walls were painted with black and white stripes. The third one involved having multiple orange-lighted mirrors at the ceiling and circular tables on the floor.
Finally, the final viewing platform was what people come all this way to see: a magnificent arched way showing the gorge in all of its splendor, yet that's not all. There was also a shallow pool of water on the floor which created a perfect circular reflection of the arch. We walked through the water across to the other side to see the view before turning back and grabbing some brunch in the form of udon.
Our next stop was another peculiar place, an exhibition known as the Last Class. The entrance ticket was for 800 JPY but we opted to buy the 2,500 JPY as we were planning on visiting the other art sites. As part of the Echigo-Tsumari Artfield, it's a permanent exhibition inside an abandoned school that was now converted into an interactive museum. Going inside brought us into the auditorium with the scent of hay wafting through the air, and indeed it was so. The floor was covered in it! There were benches scattered around and on top of them were tiny electric fans and further above twinkled dozens of lights. It was a strange room and I couldn't really figure out what the artist was trying to convey.
I had thought this was it but it seemed like Lisa found a hall going deeper into the school. Now it was really creepy, a desolate hall, and at the end was a strong light flickering, beckoning us to keep moving forward. And so we did, going up the stairs and into the science room where a single light bulb pulsated to the mighty beating of the heart. I would say this was one of the most disturbing rooms, something straight out of a horror film. I was half-expecting a ghost to appear at any time.
We moved further and saw pieces of furniture covered in white sheets, and then another floor up took us to a room with numerous jet-black portraits hanging on the walls. Behind a small corner were the belongings of previous students, things like a teddy bear, a trophy, and a pair of scissors.
The hall leading towards the end was flanked by white curtains, similar to a hospital wing, and at the right side were fluorescent lights encased in glass on the floor. It reminded me of tombs in a graveyard.
After getting out of the Last Class, we headed to Matsudai where the majority of the art exhibitions were displayed. We stopped by the convenience store so Lisa could get herself an umbrella while I munched on some a Pizza bun. It looked like we were going to be exploring in the rain, and turns out the place was massive with the Matsudai Castle being situated on top of a hill. Our hike took us to many different artworks, such as a tree surrounded by totems, hundreds of rainbow-colored pencils hanging like bats, and several structures to climb on. Upon reaching the castle, however, it turned out that it was closed! Quite unfortunate but it is what it is.
We headed back down, it was getting dark and we had yet to see the Hoshitouge Rice Terraces. Grabbing an onigiri, we proceeded to drive into the night, the rain was pouring harder but eventually, we reached the place. It was too dark to see much but with my phone's night mode, I was able to see it as if the sun had just set.
Satisfied that we were able to check off everything on the list, we started to head back to Joetsu Myoko where our AirBnB was waiting. Our host was waiting for us and showed us around. The place was quite fancy, a blend of modernity and tradition. The cherry on top was the hinoki bathtub which had an amazing scent. We were planning on going for an onsen after but Lisa wanted to try the bathtub so we just went out for dinner but not before she dropped the keycard inside the drainage, and took us around the block right back to where we started. It was hilarious.
We stopped by an izakaya without smokers so that was a huge plus. I ordered some fried rice and chili shrimp while she got a pork dish. We talked about deeper topics this time, touching on spirituality and life.
Back at the AirBnB, after Lisa took her bath, I finally got to try the hinoki tubs and it was a great and relaxing experience. The beds had really interesting texture as well, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not, almost like soft spikes or something like that. Still, the sleep came.Baca lagi
Sado Island
22 Oktober 2023, Jepun ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Waking up around 6:00 AM for a quick shower before heading out into the chilly morning. It was drizzling a bit but today's weather ought to be good. With Lisa in the driver's seat, we headed down to Naoetsu port to catch the 7:30 ferry to Sado Island. We got there just in the nick of time and boarded the boat, bought some breakfast (which was a huge mistake) as soon as we finished eating, the boat took off with the captain announcing that the waves today were much more intense than usual. And we felt that.
No sooner after a few minutes, I realized I was going to be in for a difficult ride, as I soon got more and more seasick, I laid down and just waited for it to be over but it was going to be a 2.5-hour ride. The sea showed no mercy, Lisa went to the bathroom and people all around me were hurling as well. It was difficult to maintain my composure but I didn't want to vomit. Though looking on hindsight, I should have done that because around 9:00AM, just as the island's silhouette appeared in the horizon. My breakfast had also come out, yikes. But I immediately felt better afterwards and was able to gain my bearings.
Still a bit out of breath from such a dreadful ride, we finally got to put our feet on land again. Got on our rented car and headed out to Yajima-Kyojima, where the famed tub-boats were. This place had a picturesque red bridge connecting the two islands and the tub-boats around this area were used in the Ghibli film, Spirited Away. We weren't ready to get back on the waters so quickly so we lapped around the area until the bridge before turning back as access to the island was unavailable.
The tub-boat was a unique experience, makes me wonder just why it came to be, but turns out they used these boats to get shellfish such as abalone. Just after a few meters, I had already started to get some motion sickness but thankfully, it was a short ride and we both got to try and paddle the boat as well. The pictures were amazing though.
We went to Shukunegi Village next, a traditional wooden village, getting lost in its alleys was fun. We got to the coastline where there were more tub-boat experiences and a cave leading out to an almost otherworldly landscape. No doubt caused by the lava formations around the island. We had some lunch at the village before continuing the long road trip around the island.
Passing by Sawasakihama Lighthouse and Mikoiwa, yet, the highlight landscape of the day was Manjojiki, stone plates that the waves cascaded upon, forming a dreamy scene akin to a painting.
After stopping by Lawson, we went to visit Myosenji Temple where there was a pagoda nestled in the woods. A thatched-roof structure, and Buddhist temples. It was a strange complex that seemed to have influences from various eras.
It was another long trip to Benten no Hasami Iwa, a triangular rock stuck between two cliffs, a peculiar sight worth seeing. Nearby, we also visited the Kitazawa Fuyuu Senkouba Ato, which was something out of a post-apocalyptic scene, the ruins of what once was now being engulfed by Mother Nature. It used to be a floatation plant meant to separate gold and silver from waste.
The last stop of the day was the Kinzan Gold Mine. Sado Island was famous for its gold after all. We went deep into the mines and learned about the process and what the people back then had to go through. Humans were incredibly brave to do such things, it was so claustrophobic and I couldn't imagine myself working in such conditions.
With seemingly enough time to spare, we managed to get back to the port in under an hour where we watched the sunset at the docks before going (and dreading) the ferry ride back. The seas this time graced us with gentle waves and I could barely feel it so it was a very pleasant journey back.
Back at Jyoetsu Myoko, we got some take out at Ootoya and said good bye to board our respective carriages on the Shinkansen.Baca lagi
Okutama III
4 November 2023, Jepun ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Every autumn, Okutama seems to beckon me with its enchanting fiery hues. And once again, I found myself in familiar scenery as I tread through fresh mountain air.
This time around, I went to visit Lake Okutama. Last year when a friend and I did the hike to Mt. Mito, we briefly passed through this majestic lake. Ever since then, it got stuck in my mind and I wanted to get a closer look.
Now that it was finally in front of me, I can safely say it was so worth it. The lake's vast expanse was awe-inspiring, the calming blue while surrounded by autumn-shaded mountains made for exquisite photos. Walking around the perimeter to the right and then to the left, past the dam to the other side, I saw a walking trail that would encircle the lake. It was such a great idea to do and I would probably come back again next year to do it.
But I came here for a reason and it was to do the hike to Mt. Gozen and luckily the trailhead was just by the lake.Baca lagi
Mt. Gozen
4 November 2023, Jepun
The initial hike was steep from the get-go, having to scale 400m just to reach the first checkpoint, Mt. Sasuzawa. I found myself out of breath and thought to myself, am I really out of shape? It has been a while since I hiked but I'm pretty sure it was just my body adjusting because after an hour or so, that was all gone and I was smooth sailing up.
The trees were lovely, and autumn was definitely starting now with hues of red, orange, and yellow all around. Reaching Mt. Sasuzawa was the highlight of the hike as it provided an amazing view of Lake Okutama below which appeared like a small pond from that high and yet it stretched on and on towards the mountains on the horizon.
The hike towards Mt. Gozen was enjoyable, with just the right amount of challenge, and no people around so it was great. The views at the top were just as wonderful, the summits of the surrounding mountains had a reddish-brown hue which was quite a sight to see.
The way back down was actually not that bad as well, eventually leading to a paved road which my knees were quite thankful for. From there I walked all the way back to Okutama Station, passing by several bridges with amazing views of the gorges of Okutama.Baca lagi
Mt. Takamizu
12 November 2023, Jepun ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
I was hiking through Mt. Takamizu. The views of the overarching mountain ranges and bamboo forests were one of the highlights. Another particular feature was this temple which had giant swords on display.Baca lagi
Ome Hills
19 November 2023, Jepun ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
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.Baca lagi
Mitake II
19 November 2023, Jepun ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Back at Mitake Valley's walking trail. I had originally missed this section when I was doing the Okutama walking trail last autumn just because I ran out of daylight. This time around, I was starting at the opposite side from Ikusabata after finishing the Ome Hiking Course and Mt. Raiden.
The views were nothing short of exquisite, with the Tama River flowing beside and the autumn foliage colors still burning strong. This was a time of relaxation and picture-taking after hiking.
One of the best parts of the trail was definitely the huge rocks on the river which were so aesthetically pleasing. The water's color was also mesmerizing, something in between turquoise and crystal blue.
The trail was short around 1 hour, but it was enough. It was especially radiant around golden hour when the sun was hitting just right over the water creating a golden dazzling glow. Near Sawai, there was a temple dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha, the ceiling was especially impressive. Just outside, the children were ringing the giant bell creating a reverberation heard throughout the valley.
Sawai however was quite crowded with plenty of people deciding to have lunch here so I continued on forward towards Mitake station and the scenery surprisingly got even better. It was a combination of having the looming mountains in front. bigger rocks, and stronger water.
All in all, another beautiful day to remember.Baca lagi
Kamakita Lake
25 November 2023, Jepun ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
Feeling a bit adventurous, I decided to craft my own trail going to Kamakita Lake. It was just on a whim but I wanted to go hike somewhere since the weather was sunny. Kamakita Lake caught my eye, a lesser-known site than Okutama Lake yet the pictures I saw during autumn were very much resplendent.
Using the GPS Map of AllTrails I saw that there was a possible route coming from the Kuroyama Waterfalls so off I went to Ogose. From there, I took a bus to Kuroyama and instead of going to the waterfalls, I went to the other side. The walk to the trailhead was so tranquil, no people and no cars, just the sound of nature and the soft breeze. Today was a bit colder than usual but nothing a bit of movement couldn't beat.
The trailhead led me deep into a forested path, some of the most enchanting woods I've ever seen in Japan. It felt like I was in a fantasy fairytale, so green and so lush with vegetation. Oddly enough, I saw two rangers which was the first time I ever encountered them. Proceeding on towards the path, I saw the bones of an animal.
I stopped by Shishiga falls where there was a Shinto shrine inside a cave, guarded by two stone lions. Is that where it got its name from? Moving on, I once again saw more rangers with rifles. What is going on here, I thought to myself. The answers revealed themselves in the form of a warning sign for recent bear sightings in the area. Oh, I'm in for it now.
Still proceeding on, I saw a hunting dog with an adorable bear bell tied to its collar and even more rangers stationed at various sections of the trail. The hike took me to the highest point where I got some awesome views of the autumn foliage meandering on the mountain ridges.
The descent was a bit sketchy, with the trail completely disappearing. I got lost a couple of times before going back after my gut told me it was the wrong way. My eyes tried to spot the pink ribbons tied to the trees which were pretty much my only way to find out if I was going in the right direction. Seeing that I was off the trail on AllTrails' map wasn't too encouraging either.
In the end, I was able to find a way down after some really difficult descents and scrambling to reach the other side of the river. My hands got dirty but I felt really accomplished with the hike out of the way.
All that's left now is to enjoy the striking views of maple trees reflected on the lake. The southern path of the lake provided the best views yet it was blocked and was now a dead-end so I had to turn back and go on the north path which was a win-win because it was just as beautiful on the other side as I walked under a canopy of fiery red leaves.
But the day wasn't over yet, I started another hike this time towards Shukuya Falls. I once again found myself on a relaxing walk in the deep woods where I encountered a mole before it hid underground. Shukuya Falls was much taller than Shishiga and had a really nice flow to it, with plenty of Buddhist idols surrounding it such as Jizo and Manjushri.
Satisfied, I began the long walk back to Higashi Moro Station, taking a bus halfway through when I realized I could and it was all the way back to Ikebukuro.Baca lagi
Takayama Fudoson
2 Disember 2023, Jepun ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C
It was supposed to be a group hike for Takayama Fudoson. Chinatsu, Eva, and Umi were supposed to come but two of them got sick so Chinatsu called it off.
It was such a good and sunny day though and I wanted to get some exercise in and catch some more autumn foliage so I opted to still go for it. Starting from Nishi-Agano Station making my way towards a long paved road. I had thought that this was the hike and was a bit disappointed at first but as soon as I entered the forest, I knew it was going to be a good one.
There were several spots to see around Mt. Kokuzo, the mountain where Takayama Fudoson was situated. There were three waterfalls namely: Otaki, Shirotaki, and Fudotaki. There was clear signage and the first one I encountered was Otaki Falls which I think was the most beautiful out of all three. The rocky and wavey black wall behind the white flowing waters of Otaki was something straight out of a painting, not to mention the yellow leaves floating on the pool below as well as some hanging on the walls beside it. So beautiful!
The next one was Fudotaki, I had to do a detour away from the main trail which led me to an alcove in the mountain. There were caves here and above it was Fudotaki's waters, like a blanket of raindrops, nothing too grand but quite a picturesque scenery. I went behind the caves to get a better shot and catch the sun shining off the waters and that's when I noticed the Shinto shrines across a bridge to the other side. Turns out this place was where Fudo Myou dwelled, the local kami of Takayama. Makes sense as caves were usually where kamis were believed to stay.
Making my way to the final waterfall, Shirotaki. A two-tiered waterfall. I ate my onigiri here before a lady came huffing and puffing by, asking me if this was the waterfall. To which I replied sure is, much to her vocal disappointment. I told her it was pretty y'know! But she didn't agree with me and left off to find the other two waterfalls. I kinda felt bad for poor Shirotaki, imagine doing all you can to be this beautiful only for some random hiker to come up to your face all unsatisfied. You rock Shirotaki, you'd do well to remember that!
Now I had a choice to either go for Takayama Fudoson and end the hike but the allure of good views at Kanto's Eight Provinces Lookout was tempting. I was asking my body if I should go for it, my legs were aching and fatigued from breakdancing yesterday but I didn't want to miss out. Deep down, I already knew the answer anyway so off I went towards the lookout, stopping again, hesitating as my legs started to ache once more, and pushing on. The decision was now final.
Thankfully, the mountain path turned into paved roads, there was also a mountain trail going up to the lookout but I decided to go for the paved roads for now. The views were awesome, with panoramic views of the Kanto plains on each side with a shrine in the middle. On the way down, I took the mountain path this time which was so beautiful, the autumn foliage here was still very much on fire.
This path took me to Takayama Fudoson finally. A huge temple complex, another highlight is the giant ginkgo tree that was still all yellow, its leaves covering the ground turning it into sheets of gold.
The hike back towards Agano Station was peaceful, I got lost at one point and had to do a brutal hike up back but still very manageable and easy.Baca lagi
Mt. Kariyose
17 Disember 2023, Jepun ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
This weekend's mountain was Mt. Kariyose. Lisa, my travel buddy in Niigata and Sado Island, came along so we could also discuss our upcoming Nepal trip.
The trailhead was easy to find after a 20-minute walk to Komine Park from Musashi Itsukaichi station. From there on, it was a lot of stairs until it gave way to the mountain roads. We passed by Sakura Ridge and continued deep into the forest. The trail was devoid of other hikers so it was a very peaceful trek, the weather was amazing and not that cold at all despite being mid-December.
Our first stop brought us to Kongo Falls, as we approached we saw that it was just a tiny little waterfall and we were laughing at it but to its side was a cave. After squeezing through the other side, Kongo Falls redeemed itself because it was actually a majestic 20-meter waterfall.
Backtracking back our way, we proceeded to head for the summit of Mt. Imakuma where we had some snacks. I showed Lisa some of my breakdance training videos as I had a battle in two weeks, I expressed my concern that the hike would affect my training the next day but the hike was pretty gentle throughout and nothing too strenuous.
With some alternating flats and steep slopes, we made it to Mt. Kariyose where we got sprawling views of the surrounding cityscapes. I ate another sandwich here before descending. We took another route on the descent, heading towards Imakuma Shrine which was really beautiful, particularly the stone lions were very intricate and above them were these red berries. There was also a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari at the back with her iconic numerous torii gates.
We walked back to Imakuma Tozanguchi Bus Stop and after a 9 minute ride, were back to Musashi Itsukaichi Station.Baca lagi
Jigokudani
27 Januari 2024, Jepun ⋅ ⛅ -4 °C
Arvin and his friend Roy were visiting from the Philippines. They were doing the usual tourist route going from Osaka, Kyoto and then Tokyo.
I wanted to take them some place more special, something to really give them a taste of Japan's winter. I mean, they've never even seen snow before and they came here during winter of all times.
We joined a tour that departed from Shinjuku and after a 3 hour ride or so we got to Jigokudani in Nagano. The hike we had to do was definitely one of the highlights of the day. Trekking through such a beautiful winterscape was extremely relaxing and I was able to unwind a lot. Arvin and Roy were also ecstatic at the amazing views of the surrounding mountain ranges and snow-covered pine trees.
We encountered a natural geyser along the way, it was covered in ice and the steam was gushing out non-stop which was quite different to the geysers I saw over at Noboribetsu.
Even before reaching the famed onsen, we already started to see plenty of monkeys scurrying about. They weren't afraid of us at all, some were literally right by our legs. They were playing around and scavenging for food, the baby monkeys were particularly adorable too.
At the end of the hike was our reward, the snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs, all zen-like. It was supposed to be freezing but I couldn't feel it at all over the excitement of taking so many pictures. It would have been so cool to have been able to join the monkeys while bathing too, I wondered what they were thinking as they bathed while surrounded by tourists and cameras. Yet, they didn't seem to mind or even notice us as they continued about their usual interactions such as grooming each other.
We spent a long time just admiring them and when we decided to go, one of the park's staff started to feed them which attracted hundreds of monkeys, I didn't realize there were that many! The rest of the hike down was smooth yet a bit slippery but before long we got back to the bus and were headed to the Kamakura Igloos.Baca lagi
Nagano III
27 Januari 2024, Jepun ⋅ ☀️ -2 °C
After our trip to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, our bus made a stop at the Kamakura Igloos which was actually a pop-up restaurant where people were having hot pot inside.
It was getting dark and with the lights shining onto the white snowy surfaces of the igloos, it seemed to make everything a bit otherworldly, like we were on the moon. It felt like an ethereal dream especially when we got away from the crowds and got lost in the labyrinth of igloos.
At the end of the area was a peculiar igloo, bigger than the rest which was transformed into a shrine. It was highly photogenic with the crimson torii gate being one of the only bright colors in the whole scene.
It was getting colder by the minute and our group finally went back to the bus for a long trip to Takayama. It was here during this bus ride that I got to know my seat mate, Dipa, who was also a Hanuman devotee and so we had a lot to talk about throughout the whole ride.Baca lagi
Takayama
28 Januari 2024, Jepun ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C
Not having much sleep due to Arvin's snoring, my mind wasn't operating at peak function. I went to the onsen for a dip to try and get in some me time and just wash off the fatigue.
During breakfast, it seemed like we were the only ones who had plans to explore Takayama Old Town. I used the map Roy got and planned the route for the day. We went to visit a Pagoda where I told them about Jizo and Kannon and how Shinto and Buddhism syncretized in Japan.
We went through the morning markets and stopped by several temples along the way, admiring the snow-covered streets and rivers. I introduced them to the Seven Lucky Gods when we spotted Daikokuten and Ebisu. The last stop was a tour of a palace where we had to take off our shoes. Our feet were freezing by half-time and we hurriedly finished the rest. We had to get back to the hotel either way.
It seemed like we had already explored much today but in reality, this was just the appetizer. The real gem of Takayama lies in the Hida Folk Village, a traditional village reminiscent of the ones in Shirakawago. This place was even more breathtaking than the old town. Everything was covered in snow with the Japan Alps on the horizon. The snow-laden frozen lake was the most eye-catching and easily commanded the attention of our phones.
The folk village was huge and it took more than an hour or so to cover them. These included visits to the traditional houses and some backtracking to make sure we didn't miss anything. We also met Dipa and her family along the way and I was able to take their family photo.Baca lagi
Shirakawago
28 Januari 2024, Jepun ⋅ 🌫 1 °C
After the already amazing adventures over at Takayama, the best was yet to come. A long bus ride took us to Gifu where the traditional Gasshozukuri houses lay in wait over at Shirakawago.
Our first order of business was to get some grub as our stomachs were grumbling. It was hard to find a place that didn't serve any meat but we ended up over by a street vendor and got some dango which was enough for now. We also had a smoke sesh before finally crossing over the long icy bridge to the village.
A totally different vibe than Takayama's folk village. Shirakawago was huge, with plenty of people. It was as Arvin described: a winter wonderland. The traditional brown houses blended seamlessly with the snow, it was as if it was meant to be seen only in this season. We walked on the main trail, taking in the sights and taking our shots. The place was simply photogenic, with small ponds showing us the reflections of the houses and snow.
Having to do a hike up to the observatory, we were able to see the scale of the area. Surrounded by white mountains as far as the eye could see, it felt unreal we were actually here. Up at the top, we got some ice cream and got to see some of the best views. But was this it? Arvin and Roy thought it was, but I wasn't convinced. I urged them to follow the main road further and we saw a cafe that had access to the other side of the observatory with perhaps the best views. I bought another ice cream while Arvin and Roy got some amazake based on my recommendation after I remembered getting some over at Ashigakubo when I was viewing the icicles.
It had started to snow heavily now and we were able to see another side of Shirakawago. As we went down, the clouds parted ways instead revealing the sun. We got all sorts of weather today which made the photographs so varied. We went off the beaten path to see another snow-covered shrine and continued towards the famed Three Houses. At this point, we were running a bit out of time but still wanted to push one last stop which was another shrine a bit pass the bridge.
As we were crossing the bridge, I got a call from the tour operator saying that we were the only ones left they were waiting for but we were kind of stuck in the bridge traffic. In any case, we made it back, and just when we thought the day was over. There was still one last stop: Matsumoto Castle.Baca lagi
Matsumoto
28 Januari 2024, Jepun ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C
For the final leg of our weekend adventure, the bus stopped at Matsumoto so we could see the lights and sound show happening at Matsumoto Castle.
The group sort of just started to split up as they got down, some people were a bit lost and had no idea where to go so I grabbed Arvin and Roy and led them to the castle which no surprise we were the first ones to reach.
It was dark and there were illuminations happening all around but the main highlight was Matsumoto Castle. The whole castle was painted in a variety of lights depicting various scenes, my favorite was when the flurry of pink petals all fell down and transformed into cherry blossom trees with the moon high above the castle towers.
We didn't have much time to spend here but it was also way too dark to see anyone else and I actually didn't know the way back so we waited until we spotted some group members and headed back together.Baca lagi
Odawara II
24 Februari 2024, Jepun ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
Wanting to catch another Ume Festival of the year, I invited Chinatsu and Eva to visit Odawara as just like Ogose, it has one of the largest plum groves in Kanto. Eva cancelled on the same day because she was sick so it was just me and Chinatsu this time around.
We met at Matsuda where I saw a mountain-side covered in a sea of pink, making a mental note to check this place out again another time.
It seems, however, that we were a bit too early, and much of the ume weren't at full bloom yet. Nevertheless, they were still quite beautiful and from afar, one can't even tell. Our first stop was the trailhead towards Yumihari Falls.
It was around a 20 minute walk and it was such a fine day so it went by in a jiffy. On the way, we stopped by Soga Shrine to pray. The trail towards Yumihari Falls was a short one but filled with plenty of obstacles to navigate through. We had to do a lot of jumping around the river streams which was really fun. At the end was a long and cascading waterfall, the sign with its name had Inari foxes on it too.
From there, we began our way back and up and around some more trails. We were now hiking around this area which was still surrounded by ume. It was absolutely breathtaking, even more so than Ogose. The amount of Ume trees around Odawara was staggering and it was plain to see just how beautiful this trail would have been if we came at peak blooming period.
We stopped by to sit and admire the view of the ocean and surrounding mountain range while eating our snacks. After the short hike, we finally got our reward which was the Soga Plum Grove, where a festival was surprisingly happening. Here, we got to see tons of ume at bloom, with these tiny birds known as mejiro or "white eyes" because of the circle-shaped whites around their eyes. We approached the festival to see the various stalls but the sound of drums intrigued us so we followed where they led to find a performance happening using what Chinatsu coined as "wadaiko" or Japanese drums, with some flutes and other percussions.
It was such a pleasant surprise that after being mesmerized, we went back to grab some takoyaki and found a place to sit and watch the performance. After it had finished (and our takoyaki), we explored the grove some more talking about life and relationships before I started to blabber on about dreams.Baca lagi
Kawagoe
25 Februari 2024, Jepun ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C
I had friends visiting from the Philippines: Robbie, Pat, Regine, Leonard, Ayla, and Gio. We had spent a night earlier in Akihabara with some other people as they were a huge group but today, only the initial six people are coming with me to Kawagoe after I proposed the idea.
It's my first time here as well so I was quite excited to explore this quaint town with a huge group. The weather was rainy and cold but it wasn't about to dampen the spirits of the group. We pushed on with me leading the group to Kawagoe Old Town. We stopped by the souvenir store, Koedo Kurari, first to warm up and take a toilet break.
The next stop was a Shinto shrine known as Kawagoe Kumano where the mascot was the Yatagarasu, the Three-legged Crow. A peaceful place with a chic vibe. Another huge temple at the side was Renkeiji Temple, a Buddhist temple this time around.
At this point, we have reached the main street and the gang was now in a food eating frenzy, stopping by almost every stall to get a taste of whatever snackeroos were being offered. We had unagi inside egg, unagi balls, skewers, sweet potatoes, and more!
Soon enough, we reached the famous bell tower and the nearby Starbucks where we got the chance to rest and plan the rest of the day. Ayla and Gio had to go back as they still had other plans in Tokyo which was quite unfortunate as the best was yet to come. We decided to get lunch first in the form of Omurice since they still hadn't had the chance to try one in Japan.
From there we walked a long route by the river towards Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, perhaps one of the main highlights of the day. There was much to see and do here, including the ema tunnel, black lantern corridors, and some misogi rituals involving paper dolls that we floated on the river. This place also had one of the largest torii gates in Japan.
Another long walk took us to Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace, we had the place all to ourselves and it was an interesting experience. A huge place to explore and we had tons of fun photo opportunities as well. They still had to catch an omakase dinner back in Tokyo so we hurried over to the final stop of the day: Kita-in Temple where there were 500 Rakan Statues, the disciples of the Buddha. We had initially thought it was closed but turns out we had to buy tickets to see the statues and explore the temple interior. We got inside and were able to take a better look. The main statue in the center standing above the rest was, of course, Shakyamuni Buddha. To his right was Amitabha Buddha and to the left stood, Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha. Each statue had their own unique pose and character which was really fascinating! We were able to take some amazing shots with the pagoda in the background as well.
We pushed on to explore the temple's interior which had the scent of incense and plenty of Buddhist relics and artifacts amongst other treasuries. When everyone was satisfied, we began the walk back to the station and they were able to make it just in time for their dinner as well.Baca lagi