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.
Perennial Favourite Among Lightweight Backpackers KS ultralight gear is one of a growing number of cottage companies serving the needs of ultralight backpackers both here in Japan and around the world. It’s run by French expat Laurent Barikosky who...
Hiked on Nov 17, 2020 . Kitamuki-Jizo 北向地蔵 – Mt. Monomi 物見山 – Mt. Takazasu 高指山 Duration: 3.5 hours Distance: 9.2 km Elevation change: 270 metres Highest point: 380 metres Start: Musashi-Yokote Station...
Guns, Momiji, and Waterfalls If you’re in search of abundant nature Hinohara Village on the outskirts of Tokyo is a good place to start. Each year I make more than a few trips to the metropolis’s only village to escape the city and enjoy fresh air...
Hiked on Nov 11, 2020 Apr 29, 2024 . Ogouchi Dam 小河内ダム – Yama-no-furusatomura 山のふるさと村 The first part of the route from Lake Okutama Bus Stop towards the Yama-no-furusato-mura is currently undergoing repairs and is not expected to...
Hiked on Nov 4, 2020 Aug 15, 2022 . Mt. Tsunotogiyama 角研山 – Honjagamaru 本社ヶ丸 – Mt. Seihachiyama 清八山 Duration: 6.5 hours Distance: 14.4 km Elevation change: 1031 metres Highest point: 1631 metres...
Hiked on Oct 31, 2020 Nov 10, 2021 . Gan-toge 雁峠 – Kasatori-goya 笠取小屋 – Tama River Headwaters 多摩川源流 Duration: 2 days Distance: 20 km Elevation change: 893 metres Highest point: 1953 metres ...
Hiked on Oct 24, 2020 . Himuro Shrine 氷室神社 – Hokora Hut ほこら小屋 – Mt. Hadaka 裸山 Duration: 2 days Distance: 16.2 km Elevation change: 1276 metres Highest point: 2052 metres Start: Hirabayashi Bus Stop...
Viewing Interactive GPS Maps Then & Now Not long after starting this blog I began using the pro version of WP Google Maps, a WordPress plugin to plot ‘polylines’ to display my hiking routes on Google Maps. As I commented at the time not having...
Hiked on Sep 30, 2020 . Wada Hut 和田小屋 – Kaguragamine 神楽ヶ峰 Duration: 8 hours Distance: 13.9 km Elevation change: 925 metres Highest point: 2145 metres Start: Carpark below Wada Hut Finish: Carpark below...
Hiked on Sep 21, 2020 . Mt. Kentoku 乾徳山 – Mt. Kurogane 黒金山 – Nishizawa Gorge 西沢渓谷 The Nishizawa Gorge hiking trail closes during winter (December 1st-April 28th subject to change depending on snowfall) for the latest information please...
Hinohara Village ‘Takimeguri’ Waterfall Tour This blog post continues my Hinohara Falls Tour Hinohara Takimeguri ひのはら滝めぐり a photographic journey of the 13 main waterfalls in Hinohara Village, Tokyo. Apart from the two waterfalls...
Hiked on Aug 19, 2020 . Komanogoya 駒ノ小屋 – Chumon-dake 中門岳 Duration: 8 hours Distance: 17.6 km Elevation change: 1233 metres Highest point: 2133 metres Start: Mitori Auto Campground Finish: Mitori Auto...