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. Takegawa 武川岳

Hiked on Mar 14, 2024 . Tengu-iwa 天狗岩 – Mt. Tsutaiwa 蔦岩山 – Mt. Futago 二子山   Duration: 5.5 hours   Distance: 11.4 km   Elevation change: 722 metres   Highest point: 1052 metres   Start: Nago Bus Stop  ...

Takao Baigo Plum Blossoms 高尾梅郷

Hiked on Mar 7, 2024 . Takao Plum Tree Road 高尾梅郷遊歩道 – Kogesawa Plum Grove 木下沢梅林   Duration: 3 hours   Distance: 8.5 km   Elevation change: 275 metres   Highest point: 108 metres   Start: Takao Station (Chuo Main Line)  ...

6 Tips for Solo Hiking in Japan

Tips for Conquering the Trail Alone Last year, I shared some general safety tips for hiking in Japan. This time, we’ll delve deeper into solo hiking and the extra precautions you can take to stay safe when exploring the trails on your own. Solo...

Okuchichibu Grand Traverse Stickers are Here!

The Okuchichibu Grand Traverse Stickers If you’re a supporter on Patreon, keep an eye on your mailbox. Not a supporter yet? Consider joining to receive awesome perks like cool stickers! These durable and weather-resistant PVC vinyl stickers (100 x...

Yama to Kogen Chizu: 2024 Edition

2024 Release of Maps of Mountains and Plateaus The map images and contents of this article have been obtained with the permission of the publisher (株式会社昭文社 Shobunsha Publications, Inc.). The opinion expressed in this article is that of the author...

Mt. Azumaya 四阿屋山

Hiked on Feb 17, 2024 . Setsubun Soen 節分草園 – Ryokami Jinja-Okusha 両神神社奥社   Do not attempt the chain section of the Tsutsuji Shindo course unless you are confident in your ability to support your full body weight on a fixed chain.  ...

iPhone Fail: Dedicated GPS Devices Do It Better

Garmin Handheld GPS vs iPhone 14 Pro The prevailing wisdom suggests that flagship smartphones like the iPhone 14 Pro can’t compete with dedicated GPS devices in terms of durability, battery life, and gloved operation. However, they are...

Mt. Sekiro 石老山 (Loop Course)

Hiked on Feb 10, 2024 . Kenkyoji Temple 顕鏡寺 – Daimyojin Observation Deck 大明神展望台   Duration: 4.5 hours   Distance: 8.5 km   Elevation change: 482 metres   Highest point: 702 metres   Start: Sekirozan Sanpaisha carpark   Finish: Sekirozan...

Good Morugenroto to You!

German Gairaigo Mountain Terms The other night, while watching Let’s Trek Japan on NHK World Japan, which coincided with the unseasonably early snowfall in Karasawa last year, the show mentioned the word “morugenrōto”. If you haven’t heard of it...

Garmin GPSMAP 67 Review

Why the Garmin GPSMAP 67 is a Game-Changer There has always been a compelling argument for carrying a stand-alone GPS device, whether it be a smartwatch or a handheld unit. These dedicated devices offer distinct advantages in terms of durability...

Mt. Kurami 倉見山

Hiked on Jan 22, 2024 . Sojogamine 相定ヶ峰 – Mt. Kurami 倉見山 – Dooyama Park 堂尾山公園   Duration: 4 hours   Distance: 9.8 km   Elevation change: 695 metres   Highest point: 1256 metres   Start: Higashi-Katsura Station...

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