Charge your Smartphone for Free

Self-Supporting Solar Stands If your smartphone battery suddenly finds itself out of juice and in desperate need of a recharge the Tokyo Metropolitan Government might just save the day. Over the past two years they have been busily installing...

The Misotsuchi no Tsurara Icicles

Chichibu’s Natural Ice Sculpture If you’re looking for a day adventure to get your nature fix during the winter months the Misotsuchi no Tsurara 三十槌の氷柱 (Icicles of Misotsuchi) could be just the ticket. Located in a remote pocket in Chichibu, Saitama...

7 Dark Tourism Destinations Around Tokyo

Tokyo Travel with a Dark Twist Like most major cities around the world Tokyo isn’t all beer, salarymen and skittles and has a definite dark side if you care to look. If you’ve checked out most of the traditional tourist attractions or are...

Shiraiwa Falls Hike

Hiked on Dec 1, 2018    Jan 3, 2022 . Mt. Aso 麻生山 – Mt. Hinodeyama 日の出山 – Tsurutsuru onsen つるつる温泉   Duration: 3.5 hours   Distance: 8 km   Elevation change: 597 metres   Highest point: 902 metres   Start:...

Okutama Mukashi Michi Hike

Hiked on Nov 20, 2018    May 9, 2022 . Sogaku Ravine 惣岳渓谷 – Lake Okutama 奥多摩湖   Duration: 4 hours   Distance: 9.7 km   Elevation change: 190 metres   Highest point: 540 metres   Start: Okutama Station (Ome Line)...

100, 200 and 300 Famous Japanese Mountains

Japan’s Most Prominent Peaks For better or worse, Kyuya Fukada’s 1964 best seller “100 Famous Japanese Mountains” (日本百名山 Nihon Hyaku-meizan) has had a profound influence on modern alpinism in Japan. It has led to a decades long hiking boom...

Mt. Tanigawa 谷川岳

Hiked on Oct 28, 2018 . Okinomimi オキノ耳 – Mt. Mantaro 万太郎山 – Mt. Tairappyou 平標山   Duration: 3 days   Distance: 25.7 km   Elevation change: 1363 metres   Highest point: 2026 metres   Start: Doai Station (Joetsu...

Classic Tokyo Hike: Mt. Takao to Mt. Jinba

Hiked on Oct 21, 2018    Apr 19, 2022 . Mt. Takao 高尾山 – Mt. Shiroyama 城山 – Mt. Kagenobu 景信山   Duration: 6 hours   Distance: 17.2 km   Elevation change: 665 metres   Highest point: 857 metres   Start: Takaosanguchi...

Yamabushi: The Mountain Priests of Japan

The Weird and Wonderful World of Yamabushi # 1. What is a Yamabushi? Yamabushi also known Shugenja are the mountain-wandering priests of Japan. Their name literally means “those who lie in the mountains” from kanji 山 (yama) mountain and 伏 (bushi) in...

Mt. Mitsutoge 三ッ峠山

Hiked on Oct 9, 2018    Feb 4, 2021 . Mt. Kaiun 開運山 – Mt. Tenjo 天上山   Duration: 6.5 hours   Distance: 17 km   Elevation change: 1171 metres   Highest point: 1785 metres   Start: Mitsutoge Station (Fujikyuko Line)...

Mt. Tsukuba 筑波山

Hiked on Sep 28, 2018 . Tsukuba Shrine 筑波神社 – Mt. Nantai 男体山 – Mt. Nyotai 女体山   Duration: 3.5 hours   Distance: 5.9 km   Elevation change: 600 metres   Highest point: 877 metres   Start: Tsukuba Shrine bus stop  ...

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