MAPPLE Special Online Maps Campaign for 2021 The map images and contents of this article have been obtained with the permission of the publisher (Shobunsha). Come February or March each year Shobunsha Publications a.k.a. MAPPLE release an annual...
GSI Topo Maps: A Beginner’s Guide In this previous article I described in some detail the finer points of reading “Yama to Kogen Chizu” topographic maps, this time we turn our attention to the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI)...
Japan’s Second COVID State of Emergency: A Piece of Advice TL;DR State of emergency declared in Tokyo and neighbouring prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa (the state of emergency was expanded to 11 prefectures on January 13). The...
“Hatsuhinode” Capturing the First Sunrise from Mt. Jinba A rite of passage for any hiker worth their salt is to witness a hatsuhinode or first sunrise of the New Year from a mountaintop and yesterday was my turn. The dilemma was which...
Enoki-toge 榎峠 – Nago-toge 名郷峠 – Mt. Sanbosan 三方山 . . Ome Kyuryo Hiking Trail If you’re after a half-day beginner friendly hike close to Tokyo, then the Ome Kyuryo Hiking Trail 青梅丘陵ハイキングコース could be just the spot. While the rolling hills which...
Kintoki-jinja Shrine 金時神社 – Mt. Nagao 長尾山 – Otome-toge 乙女峠 . . A Beginner Friendly Mountain Famed for the Legend of Kintaro Mt. Kintoki also known as Mt. Ashigara is located along the border of Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures in the...
Umenokidaira 梅ノ木平 – Odarumi Pass 大垂水峠 – Mt. Takao 高尾山 . . Kanto Fureai no Michi Lake Trail About an hour hike northwest of Mt. Takao finds Mt. Kobotoke-Shiroyama which straddles Tokyo and Kanagawa. The first hike I ever posted on this...
Perennial Favourite Among Lightweight Backpackers KS ultralight gear is one of a growing number of cottage companies serving the needs of ultralight backpackers both here in Japan and around the world. It’s run by French expat Laurent Barikosky who...
Kitamuki-Jizo 北向地蔵 – Mt. Monomi 物見山 – Mt. Takazasu 高指山 . . A Mountain that Everyone can Enjoy! Hiwadasan looms over Kinchakuda a.k.a. Spider Lily Park and is one of Saitama Prefectures most popular mountains suitable for all levels of...
Guns, Momiji, and Waterfalls If you’re in search of abundant nature Hinohara Village on the outskirts of Tokyo is a good place to start. Each year I make more than a few trips to the metropolis’s only village to escape the city and enjoy fresh air...