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.
An Encounter with Charles Jenkins For most people Sadogashima 佐渡ヶ島 or Sado Island conjures up an image of gold mines and a rugged coastline. For me however the first thing that comes to mind is ‘Jenkins’ as in Charles Robert Jenkins the one time U.S...
The Demise of an Ill-Conceived Idea – The Okutama Ropeway It seems de rigueur these days that anyone with an outdoor blog has a category devoted to haikyo 廃虚 or in the English vernacular urban exploration. This genre of writing and photography...
A Cave, Suspension Bridge and Dam – Ueno Village has it all! Apart from our hike to Mt. Kasamaruyama and visiting the Ireino Sono Shrine we took some time out to visit some of Ueno Village’s other tourist offerings including the Fujido...
Hiked on Jun 23, 2013 Aug 24, 2023 . Jizoutoge Pass 地蔵峠 – Mt. Kasamaruyama 笠丸山 Duration: 3.5 hours Distance: 4.3 km Elevation change: 479 metres Highest point: 1189 metres Start: Otsuchi Ueno...
The Tatami Walls of Nagataro June is a great month for getting out and exploring some unfrequented spots within easy reach of Tokyo before the pervasive summer heat sets in. This entry introduces Nagatoro-machi 長瀞町 an attractive riverside town on...
Hiked on Jul 4, 2012 Aug 24, 2023 . Mt. Bonomine 棒ノ峰山 – Mt. Kuroyama 黒山 – Nasaka Pass 名坂峠 Duration: 6 hours Distance: 14.7 km Elevation change: 577 metres Highest point: 969 metres Start: Kawai...
Hiked on May 23, 2013 Aug 22, 2023 . Mitsumine Shrine 三峯神社 – Mt. Kumotori 雲取山 – Mt. Mutsuishiyama 六ッ石山 Duration: 2 days Distance: 29.2 km Elevation change: 977 metres Highest point: 2017 metres Start:...
Tama Lake – Seibu Dome – Tamako Jitensha Dori Ave For those looking for a nearby off road adventure try the Sayama Hills mountain bike course. Duration: 1 hour Distance: 13.1 km Elevation change: 63 metres Highest point: 158...
Hiked on Apr 28, 2013 Aug 24, 2023 . Hinodeyamakita Ridge 日ノ出山北尾根 – Mt. Hinodeyama 日の出山 – Mt. Mitsumuroyama 三室山 Duration: 5 hours Distance: 11 km Elevation change: 652 metres Highest point: 902 metres...
Hiked on Apr 4, 2013 Aug 22, 2023 . Mt. Tounotake 塔ノ岳 – Mt. Tanzawa 丹沢山 – Mt. Hirugatake 蛭ヶ岳 Duration: 2 days Distance: 23.7 km Elevation change: 1383 metres Highest point: 1673 metres Start: Okura Bus...
Unearthing the Longest Fish Ladder in Japan On recent nature outing near Okutama I stumbled across non-descript administrative building which just happens to house the longest fish ladder in Japan. The fish ladder is situated along a scenic stretch...
The Spoils of Early Spring Outings Tempted with the lure of warm weather for the first time this year, I made an ill-fated decision yesterday to set out knowing very well I had a good chance of succumbing to hay fever. This ignominious fate first...