David Lowe

David grew up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, with hiking and outdoor pursuits being a major part of his life for as long as he can remember. He has been writing, snapping photos, and sharing his adventures on RIDGELINEIMAGES.com since 2013.

At university, David majored in environmental management and holds a Graduate Diploma of Education. He has been living in Japan for over 15 years, first in Fukushima Prefecture and now in the Tokyo Metropolis. With a love of hiking and photography, he felt the best way to combine the two was a blog to provide some inspiration for others to enjoy the myriad of trails and outdoor offerings on Tokyo’s doorstep. You can follow David on Instagram @ridgelineimages.

Mt. Myojinyama 明神山

Hiked on Feb 14, 2025 . Yamanakako Panorama-dai 明神山パノラマ台 – Mt. Mikuni 三国山 – Mt. Takasasu 高指山   Duration: 4.5 hours   Distance: 10.5 km   Elevation change: 338 metres   Highest point: 1328 metres   Start: Mikuniyama Hiking Course Iriguchi...

Mt. Momokurayama 百蔵山

Hiked on Feb 7, 2025 . Konpira-kyu 金比羅宮 – Mt. Daidosan 大同山 – Mt. Momokurayama 百蔵山 If you wish to include neighbouring Mt. Ougiyama, you can also undertake it as a station-to-station hike starting from Torisawa Station.   Duration: 4.5 hours...

Mt. Kannokura 官ノ倉山

Hiked on Jan 24, 2025 . Kinsho 金勝山 – Kannokura-toge 官ノ倉峠 – Mt. Sekison 石尊山   Duration: 4 hours   Distance: 11.3 km   Elevation change: 244 metres   Highest point: 345 metres   Start: Tobu-Takezawa Station (Tobu...

Mt. Kurodake 黒岳 (Revisited)

Hiked on Dec 17, 2024 . Misaka-toge 御坂峠 – Kurodake Tenbodai 黒岳展望台 – FUJIYAMA ツインテラス   Duration: 6 hours   Distance: 12 km   Elevation change: 783 metres   Highest point: 1793 metres   Start: Mitsutoge Iriguchi Bus Stop   Finish:...

When a 3,000-Metre Peak Isn’t a 3,000-Metre Peak

Enter Naka-Shirane-san et al. TL;DR Not all 3,000-metre mountains in Japan are officially recognised. Peaks like Naka-Shirane-san and Gendarme lack prominence and are classified as secondary. Cultural factors and quirks, such as Fuji’s lesser-known...

Mt. Myojingatake 明神ヶ岳

Hiked on Dec 10, 2024 . Mt. Myojingatake 明神ヶ岳 – Yagurasawa-toge 矢倉沢峠   Duration: 6.5 hours   Distance: 15.7 km   Elevation change: 1144 metres   Highest point: 1169 metres   Start: Tsukahara Station (Daiyuzan Line)...

Celebrating 150 Hiking Trail Guides

The Trail Less Rushed: 150 Hikes Quietly, last month I marked a major milestone: my 150th hiking trail guide on RIDGELINEIMAGES.com! Over the past 12 years, creating these trail guides has been a labour of love. While they make up less than half of...

Mt. Shomureyama 聖武連山

Hiked on Nov 30, 2024 . Mt. Shomureyama 聖武連山 – Mt. Nodake 能岳 – Mt. Yaeyama 八重山   Duration: 4 hours   Distance: 9 km   Elevation change: 265 metres   Highest point: 543 metres   Start: Oduku Bus Stop   Finish: Ohori Bus Stop  ...

Yatsugatake Grand Traverse 八ヶ岳主脈縦走

Hiked from Oct 11 to Oct 14, 2024 . Kannon-daira 観音平 to Puru-daira プール平   This is a long and demanding multi-day hike suitable for experienced hikers. Do not attempt this hike unless you have experience in route-finding. Carry the relevant...

Mt. Kurokawa-Keikan 黒川鶏冠山

Hiked on Nov 9, 2024 . Keikan Shrine 鶏冠神社 – Roppongi-toge 六本木峠 – Marukawa-toge 丸川峠 .   Duration: 6 hours   Distance: 15.3 km   Elevation change: 826 metres   Highest point: 1716 metres   Start: Ochiai bus stop   Finish: Daibosatsu-toge...

Mt. Hamaibamaru ハマイバ丸

Hiked on Nov 3, 2024 . Yunosawa-toge 湯ノ沢峠 – Mt. Okuratakamaru 大蔵高丸 – Mt. Takigoyama 滝子山   Do not attempt this hike unless you have experience in route-finding and make sure you carry a topographic map and handheld GPS device.   Duration: 2...

Kanto’s Weather Woes

Kanto’s Autumn Blues I write this with utter exasperation over the current state of the weather. Ordinarily, I would be setting off on a multi-day autumn adventure, but now it seems I’ll have to wait until later in the week for the autumn rain...

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