Okutama Summer Camp and BBQ

Spending 24 hours in Nature If one overnight summer camp and BBQ isn’t quite enough, you can always head back for more. That was the maxim I clung on to this week as I again sought refuge from the hustle, bustle, and heat of Tokyo. Camping at 1,000...

Mt. Hotaka 武尊山

Hiked on Aug 7, 2022 . Hotaka-jinja 武尊神社 – Kengamine 剣ケ峰山   Duration: 7.5 hours   Distance: 13 km   Elevation change: 1058 metres   Highest point: 2158 metres   Start: Urami-no-taki carpark   Finish: Urami-no-taki...

Hinohara Sasaone Ridge – Camp and BBQ

Hiked on Jul 25, 2022 . Hibara-toge 日原峠 – Dohyo-dake 土俵岳 – Koyuzuri-toge 小棡峠   Duration: 2 days   Distance: 12.3 km   Elevation change: 813 metres   Highest point: 1098 metres   Start: Shin Sannobashi Bridge Bus Stop...

Tokyo Walks: Along the Tamagawa Josui

A Nature Fix Without Leaving the City With Tokyo in the grip of the worst June heatwave since 1875 means hiking nearer to the city will have to take a back seat thanks to the searing sun, sky-high temps, and pea-soup humidity. As I write, central...

Mt. Sekiro 石老山

Hiked on Jun 18, 2022 . Daimyojin Observation Deck 大明神展望台 – Lake Sagami 相模湖 The trail via Kenkyoji Temple has been repaired, and it is now possible to undertake the hike as a loop course, starting and finishing at the Sekrozan Iriguchi bus...

Kurodake 黒岳

Hiked on May 24, 2022 . Jinzasan 神座山 – Mt.Shakagatake 釈迦ヶ岳 – Shindo Pass 新道峠   Duration: 2 days   Distance: 18.4 km   Elevation change: 1028 metres   Highest point: 1793 metres   Start: Himine jinja mae Bus Stop  ...

Three Steps for Planning a Safe Hike in Japan

Planning and Managing Risks on the Trail During my formative days hiking in Japan, I must confess I didn’t devote much time to planning my hikes even the overnight ones. My usual approach back then was print out a hike some random person posted on...

Mt. Toridani 酉谷山

Hiked on May 5, 2022    Jul 3, 2022 . Nanahaneyama 七跳山 – Hinatadani-no-atama 日向谷ノ頭 – Toridaniyama Refuge Hut 酉谷山避難小屋   Duration: 2 days   Distance: 30.4 km   Elevation change: 1098 metres   Highest point:...

Food for an Overnight Hike in Japan

Backpacking Food Ideas and Meal Planning A common question I get is what food I pack for an overnight hike. The simple answer is foodstuffs that I enjoy eating and not too much as food is heavy. In stark contrast to my first overnight hike, when I...

Mt. Yogaisan 要害山

Hiked on Apr 19, 2022 . Kaze no Kamisama 風の神様 – Mt. Koyashiro コヤシロ山 – Mt. Minashi 実成山   Duration: 3 hours   Distance: 8.5 km   Elevation change: 402 metres   Highest point: 609 metres   Start: Arai Bus Stop   Finish: Arai Bus Stop  ...

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