Hiked on May 2, 2015 May 18, 2021 . Shougen Toge 将監峠 – Mt. Hiryusan 飛竜山 – Sanjounoyu 三条の湯 Duration: 3 days Distance: 34.5 km Elevation change: 1489 metres Highest point: 2069 metres Start: Ochiai Bus...
Hiked on Apr 9, 2015 Apr 4, 2024 . Mt. Gongen 権現山 – Mt. Koubou 弘法山 Duration: 2.5 hours Distance: 8.2 km Elevation change: 145 metres Highest point: 235 metres Start: Hadano Station (Odakyu...
A Guide to Mountains in the Kanto Region The Kanto Region which includes Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa contains many of the most popular hiking trails in Japan. Whilst the following list is a work in progress, it aims...
Largest Illumination Event in the Greater Tokyo Area A short one hour train ride from downtown Tokyo ushers you to the largest illumination spectacle in the Kanto area, the Sagamiko Illumillion. Illumination events in Japan are immensely popular...
The Arrival of Spring Heralds in Plum Blossoms In past years I have been somewhat reluctant venturing into areas invested with sugi (a Japanese conifer) at this time of year with a predisposition towards lengthy sneezing bouts. But decided to risk...
How to Fully Embrace a Wild Camping Experience The basic essence of wild camping entails seeking out wilderness experiences away from official campgrounds. While actual ‘hiding’ isn’t usually necessary unlike stealth or guerrilla...
Mount Fuji Facts, Figures and Musings Famed for its elegant symmetrical cone, Mount Fuji is actually an active stratovolcano last erupting in December 1707. First climbed by a monk in 663, the sacred mountain is beset upon by an annual pilgrimage to...
Allied Air Raids Prompt a Clandestine Munitions Factory During my recent trek out to Saitama to explore The Hundred Caves of Yoshimi, I discovered the subterranean world lurking beneath the caves kept a secret military installation. Juxtaposed with...
The Caves of Yoshimi Unearth an Interesting History The Hundred Caves of Yoshimi are ancient burial tombs carved into the sandstone cliffs in Saitama Prefecture roughly 50 km from downtown Tokyo. They were unearthed in 1888 by Shogoro Tsuboi a...
Nippara Limestone Cave the Biggest in Tokyo Located in the sleepy village of Nippara on Tokyo’s outskirts finds Nippara Cave one of the best karst limestone caves in Japan. I previously visited the caves a few years back though was keen to return on...