Showa Kinen Park Autumn Delights Pencilling in an annual pilgrimage to Showa Kinen Park to photograph the autumn foliage or koyo has been a prominent fixture on my calendar over the years. The 165 hectare National Government Park lies close to my...
Hiked on Nov 4, 2014 Jan 15, 2020 . Taiken no mori 体験の森 – Mt. Sasuzawayama サス沢山 Duration: 5 hours Distance: 10.9 km Elevation change: 1005 metres Highest point: 1405 metres Start: Sakaibashi Bus...
Hiked on Oct 25, 2014 Aug 24, 2023 . Fudou Falls 不動滝 – Mt. Buko 武甲山 Duration: 6 hours Distance: 15.6 km Elevation change: 1054 metres Highest point: 1304 metres Start: Yokoze Station (Seibu...
Securing Tokyo’s Water Future Paid a Heavy Toll As the responsible agency for supplying drinking water to almost 13 million residents the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks relies heavily on the 185,400 megalitre Lake Okutama...
Japan’s Deadliest Animal Unveiled If I had nominate one aspect of hiking in Japan that I could really do without it would be hornets. In this case not just any garden variety but the humongous Japanese giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica)...
Ultra lightweight Hiking Umbrella from Montbell The use of trekking umbrellas out on the trail is has garnered a fair bit of debate in recent years with some folk who swear by them and others who consider them completely unnecessary. I probably fall...
Kan Toge Mountain Hut It’s amazing what unexpectedly catches your attention exploring remote mountain trails. For me it was last week hiking down from Karisaka Toge on the Yamanashi / Saitama prefectural border. After taking a short breather...
Hiked on Sep 18, 2014 Nov 15, 2021 . Karisaka Toge 雁坂峠 – Mt. Suisyoyama 水晶山 – Mt. Koreisan 古礼山 Duration: 3 days Distance: 23.9 km Elevation change: 1528 metres Highest point: 2158 metres Start:...
Hiked on Aug 31, 2014 Sep 2, 2021 . Mt. Okuratakamaru 大蔵高丸 – Mt. Hamaiba ハマイバ丸 Duration: 2 days Distance: 16.1 km Elevation change: 805 metres Highest point: 1781 metres Start: Yamatoten Mokusan Onsen...
ProLite Plus Delivers Year Round Warmth and Comfort Therm-a-Rest weren’t kidding when they claim that a well-cared for mattress should last years. Only in the last few months has my 18 year old Therm-a-Rest finally been retired more due to...
Hiked on Aug 19, 2014 Dec 15, 2024 . Mt. Akadake 赤岳 – Mt. Yokodake 横岳 – Mt. Ioudake 硫黄岳 For a rewarding and challenging 3- or 4-day traverse of the entire Yatsugatake Mountains, consider tackling the Yatsugatake Grand Traverse. ...
Enjoy Precision Navigation with the Suunto A-30L Compass Along with a detailed topographic map an accurate compass is a must have for any backcountry adventure. In a previous post I offered a summary of what to look for when choosing an outdoor...