In Search of Japan’s Northernmost Cycling Road As far as bicycle rides go, they don’t get much further north than this ride in the highlands of Cape Soya – the northernmost point of Hokkaido. So much so that in clear weather a silhouette of...
Japanese Cottage and Mainstream Outdoor Brands With an annual mountaineering market in the ballpark of 186 billion yen, you would think large numbers of homegrown manufacturers are cashing in. The reality is that there are very few Japanese outdoor...
Recollections from my First Hyakumeizan It’s been 19 years since I first climbed Japan’s most iconic peak, so this Mountain Day I thought it fitting to wind back the clock and revisit my first Nihon Hyakumeizan—or 100 Famous Japanese Mountain. ...
Hiked on Jul 25, 2019 . Mt. Senmai-dake 千枚岳 – Mt. Warusawa 悪沢岳 – Mt. Eboshi 烏帽子岳 Duration: 5 days Distance: 29.1 km Elevation change: 2021 metres Highest point: 3141 metres Start: Sawarajima Lodge...
Guidebook to the Magnificent Japan Alps It would seem the only thing rarer than an albino dodo bird, scoring an albatross in golf or stumbling upon a Freshness Burger outlet in Tokyo is an English-language guidebook dedicated to Japan’s mountains...
Hiked on May 29, 2019 . Mt. Ogura 御座山 – Zeneimine 前衛峰 – Miharashidai 見晴台 Duration: 2 days Distance: 11 km Elevation change: 972 metres Highest point: 2112 metres Start: Kuryu bus stop Finish:...
Enjoy the Tokyo Islands on a Shoestring If you are looking for some great spots to camp around Tokyo, than the laid-back Izu Islands (Izu-shoto) are one place you should definitely pay a visit. This group of volcanic islands stretch south-east from...
Hiked on Apr 28, 2019 May 5, 2022 . Mt. Jinba 陣馬山 – Maruyama 丸山 – Mt. Mito 三頭山 Duration: 2 days Distance: 28.5 km Elevation change: 1166 metres Highest point: 1531 metres Start: Wada bus...
Hiked on Apr 19, 2019 Jun 15, 2021 . Bukkasan 仏果山 – Mt. Takatori 高取山 – Miyagase Dam 宮ヶ瀬ダム Duration: 4.5 hours Distance: 9.3 km Elevation change: 445 metres Highest point: 747 metres Start: Tsuchiyama...
Hiked on Apr 13, 2019 . Unazawa Otaki Falls 海沢大滝 – Onara Pass 大楢峠 Duration: 5 hours Distance: 14.8 km Elevation change: 340 metres Highest point: 680 metres Start: Shiromaru Station (Ome Line) Finish: Kori...
Hiked on Mar 14, 2019 . Higashisenba 東仙波 – Mt. Karamatsuo 唐松尾山 – Mt. Kasatori 笠取山 Duration: 4 hours Distance: 12.7 km Elevation change: 758 metres Highest point: 758 metres Start: Motomachi Port Ferry...
Fancy a Spot of Fire-walking? The Mt. Takao Fire-Walking Festival (hiwatari matsuri) is an annual event held on the second Sunday in March a 5-minute walk up the road from Keio Takaosanguchi Station. The festival is organised by the Takao-san Yakuo...