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...
Hiked on May 25, 2023 . Mawarime-daira 廻り目平 – Hacho-daira 八丁平 – Fujimidaira-goya 富士見平小屋 Do not attempt this hike unless you have experience in route-finding, and make sure you carry a topographic map and handheld GPS device. Duration: 2 days ...
Hiked on Nov 12, 2022 . Mitsumine Shrine 三峯神社 – Mt. Shiraiwayama 白岩山 – Mt. Tenso 天祖山 Do not attempt this hike unless you have experience in route-finding and make sure you carry a topographic map and handheld GPS device. Duration: 2 days ...
Hinohara Village ‘Takimeguri’ Waterfall Tour Continues This blog post continues my Hinohara Falls Tour Hinohara Takimeguri ひのはら滝めぐり a photographic journey of the 13 main waterfalls in Hinohara Village, Tokyo. Apart from the four waterfalls...
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: 1718 metres Start: Higashi Nippara Bus...
Hiked on Oct 28, 2021 . Mt. Kinpu 金峰山 – Mt. Asahi-dake 朝日岳 – Odarumi-toge 大弛峠 Duration: 2 days Distance: 24.3 km Elevation change: 1089 metres Highest point: 2599 metres Start: Mizugaki-sansou Bus Stop Finish: Kawahake Bus Stop ...
Hiked on Oct 2, 2021 Nov 15, 2022 . Higashisenba 東仙波 – Mt. Karamatsuo 唐松尾山 – Mt. Kasatori 笠取山 Do not attempt this hike unless you have experience in route-finding and make sure you carry a topographic map and handheld GPS device. Duration: 3...
Efforts Rewarded at this Seldom Visited Waterfall In November last year I failed in my attempt to reach the Meoto Falls due to a dodgy trail and fear of being picked off by some local hunters. Hence a revenge mission was high on the agenda. Of the...
Mountains You Can Climb in a Day from Tokyo Unless otherwise stated, all prices are for one-way travel using local trains and bus services. For residents and tourists alike spending too much time in Tokyo can well make you go bonkers after a while...
Hiked on Nov 28, 2020 . Umenokidaira 梅ノ木平 – Odarumi Pass 大垂水峠 – Mt. Takao 高尾山 Duration: 6 hours Distance: 17.7 km Elevation change: 480 metres Highest point: 670 metres Start: Takaosanguchi Station (Keio Takao Line) Finish: Takaosanguchi...
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...
Hiked on Oct 31, 2020 Nov 10, 2021 . Gan-toge 雁峠 – Kasatori-goya 笠取小屋 – Tama River Headwaters 多摩川源流 Duration: 2 days Distance: 20 km Elevation change: 893 metres Highest point: 1953 metres Start: Shinchidaira Bus Stop Finish:...
Hiked on Sep 21, 2020 . Mt. Kentoku 乾徳山 – Mt. Kurogane 黒金山 – Nishizawa Gorge 西沢渓谷 The Nishizawa Gorge hiking trail closes during winter (December 1st-April 28th subject to change depending on snowfall) for the latest information please refer to the...
Hinohara Village ‘Takimeguri’ Waterfall Tour This blog post continues my Hinohara Falls Tour Hinohara Takimeguri ひのはら滝めぐり a photographic journey of the 13 main waterfalls in Hinohara Village, Tokyo. Apart from the two waterfalls introduced below I...
Solo Summer Hike and Camp in Okutama Arriving mid-morning at Okutama Station during the Obon holidays was, as expected, bustling with activity. Perhaps a little surprising given COVID-19. I made a beeline for one of the two diminutive buses headed...
18 Beautiful Places to Camp in Japan With everyone now under stay-at-home requests through May 31 it’s looking increasingly likely the spring hiking will pass without most of us hitting the trail – myself included. To console myself with this...