German Gairaigo Mountain Terms The other night, while watching Let’s Trek Japan on NHK World Japan, which coincided with the unseasonably early snowfall in Karasawa last year, the show mentioned the word “morugenrōto”. If you haven’t heard of it...
Why the Garmin GPSMAP 67 is a Game-Changer There has always been a compelling argument for carrying a stand-alone GPS device, whether it be a smartwatch or a handheld unit. These dedicated devices offer distinct advantages in terms of durability...
Hiked on Jan 22, 2024 . Sojogamine 相定ヶ峰 – Mt. Kurami 倉見山 – Dooyama Park 堂尾山公園 Duration: 4 hours Distance: 9.8 km Elevation change: 695 metres Highest point: 1256 metres Start: Higashi-Katsura Station...
Interweaving Three Tragic Tales Japanese refuge huts, known as hinan-goya, serve as vital resting places for hikers and climbers in the country’s mountainous regions. Hikers value them not only for being free but also as essential shelters from...
Revisiting the KS50 Three Years On With three years and counting and over 1,000 kilometres of use, I want to share why the KS50 backpack has become my current favourite. For those who don’t know, KS Ultralight Gear is run by French expat Laurent...
Hiked on Dec 2, 2023 . Umanose Miharashidai 馬ノ背見晴台 – Mt. Echizen 越前岳 – Mt. Kuro-dake 黒岳 Duration: 5 hours Distance: 9.8 km Elevation change: 624 metres Highest point: 1504 metres Start: Jurigi Bus Stop Finish: Ashitaka Tozan...
In Search of Little-Visited Falls If a waterfall is indicated on the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) map, excluding a simple ‘O-taki’, there’s a high likelihood that visiting it is a relatively manageable endeavour. There are...
Hiked from Oct 10 to Oct 14, 2023 . Mizugaki-sansou 瑞牆山荘 to Okutama Station 奥多摩駅 This is a long and demanding multi-day hike suitable for experienced hikers. Do not attempt this hike unless you have experience in route-finding. Carry the...
Hiked on Nov 11, 2023 . Oni-no-iwaya 鬼の岩屋 – Mt. Tenjin 天神山 – Mt. Chigootoshi 稚児落し If you wish to avoid the fixed chains, this hike can also be undertaken as an out-and-back hike, or ‘piston’ from Otsuki Station. ...
Longitudinal Traverse of the Okuchichibu Mountains Last month, I achieved a long-term goal by completing what I consider to be the best multi-day hike in the Greater Tokyo Area, which I have coined the Okuchichibu Grand Traverse. The journey...