History, Belief, and the Making of Japan’s Most Enduring Symbol Living in Tokyo gives me the somewhat rare privilege of seeing Mount Fuji from my balcony on clear days – a view that renders the peak as a serene, distant icon. Yet, having climbed the...
Camping at the Foot of a Giant When it comes to “galactic scale” campgrounds in Japan, Fumotoppara ふもとっぱら in the Asagiri Kogen highlands of Shizuoka Prefecture reigns supreme. Spreading out at the foot of majestic Mount Fuji, the site is a behemoth;...
A Reservoir Laid Bare I’ve lost count of how many times over the years I’ve driven, ridden buses, or hiked – often directly across – the waters of Lake Okutama, via its two “drum bridges”. Formed by Ogouchi Dam, it has been both a familiar landscape...
Hiked on Feb 9, 2026 . Mt. Asahi あさひ山 – Yuuhiyama Park ゆうひ山公園 Duration: 2.5 hours Distance: 6.4 km Elevation change: 126 metres Highest point: 213 metres Start: Hanno Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line) Finish: Hanno Station (Seibu Ikebukuro...
Hiked on Feb 2, 2026 . Koyodai observation deck 紅葉台 – Sankodai observation deck 三湖台 – Mt. Haneko 羽根子山 Duration: 4 hours Distance: 9.3 km Elevation change: 520 metres Highest point: 1355 metres Start: Koyodai Iriguchi bus stop Finish:...