A Unique Shrine Surrounded by Nature Hatsumode or the first shrine visit of the year is a big deal in Japan with literally millions rocking up to their local shrine to pray for good fortune in the year ahead. In recent years I haven’t bothered much...
The Weird and Wonderful World of Yamabushi # 1. What is a Yamabushi? Yamabushi also known Shugenja are the mountain-wandering priests of Japan. Their name literally means “those who lie in the mountains” from kanji 山 (yama) mountain and 伏 (bushi) in...
Kougen Hut 高原ヒュッテ – Mt. Kentoku 乾徳山 – Mt. Douman 道満山 . . Spectacular 360-degree Panorama from Mount Kentoku If there was ever a mountain sorely overlooked in Kyuya Fukada’s famous Japanese mountain list its Mount Kentoku as it includes some of the...
Mt. Kobutaka コブタカ山 – Mt. Honita 本仁田山 . . A Summer Hike to Mt. Honita The hike to Mt. Honita is usually combined as part of a longer walk to Mt. Kawanori however given the hot summer weather, I decided to make an early start and leave the latter...
Mt. Takanosu 鷹ノ巣山 – Mt. Kayanoki 榧ノ木山 – Mt. Kurato 倉戸山 . . Breathtaking Views and Tranquillity at Mt. Takanosu Mt. Takanosu has long held a special affinity for those living in the Okutama area. During the Edo Period the mountain was off limits to...
Mt. Odake 大岳山 – Nokogiriyama 鋸山 . . One of the Three Famous Peaks of Okutama This hike introduces Mt. Odake 大岳山 another of the three famous peaks of Okutama along with Mt. Gozenyama and Mt. Mito. The trail’s convenience to Tokyo also makes it...
Oyama Afuri Jinja 大山阿夫利神社 – Mt. Oyama 大山 . . Spring Weather Delights on Mt. Oyama Mt. Oyama 大山 is a sacred mountain whose close proximity to Tokyo and Yohohama means it’s always a major drawcard for mountain climbing as well as religious pilgrimage...
A Chance Upon at the Tokyo Peace Pagoda To expect the unexpected is something I have come to cherish about my ventures into the mountains and to discover that Tokyo is home to a long-forgotten Peace Pagoda was definitely one of them. The glistening...
Hinata Ooya 日向大谷 – Mt. Ryokami 両神山 . . A Scared Mountain with Prodigious Views Mt. Ryokami is a sacred mountain situated on the northern border of the Chichibu Tama Kai National Park and is another of the Nihon Hyaku-meizan. In the past women...
Mt. Kinpu 金峰山 – Mt. Kobushi 甲武信ヶ岳 . . Rocky Escarpments and Lofty Views from Mt. Kinpu As one of the premier hiking spots in the Kanto region Mt. Kinpu certainly didn’t hesitate living up to its infamous reputation. Over the span of this hike you...