How Japan’s Mountains Turned Me Into a Solo Hiker Before I moved to Japan, I never really considered hiking alone. Back in Australia, bushwalking was always a group activity. From my earliest days in the Cubs and Scouts, through to school camps...
Hiked on Mar 7, 2024 . Takao Plum Tree Road 高尾梅郷遊歩道 – Kogesawa Plum Grove 木下沢梅林 Duration: 3 hours Distance: 8.5 km Elevation change: 275 metres Highest point: 108 metres Start: Takao Station (Chuo Main Line) ...
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...
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...
In Search of a Cooler Destination Summer in Japan used to be somewhat tolerable when there was an understanding that it would roll past by early September. Here we are, two-thirds of the way through September, and it continues unabated, thanks to...
10 Mountains In Tokyo Worth Climbing As this blog approaches its 10th anniversary, it’s time to do what any self-respecting Tokyo hiking blogger would; rate from 1 to 10, Tokyo’s best mountains – specifically the list focuses on mountains...
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. ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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:...
Hiked on Mar 20, 2022 . Mt. Yougaisan 要害山 – Tenguiwa 天狗岩 – Umabikisawa-toge 馬引沢峠 Duration: 4 hours Distance: 11.2 km Elevation change: 228 metres Highest point: 414 metres Start: Miyanohira Station (Ome Line)...
Hiked on Jan 1, 2022 . First Rays of 2022 Above the Sagami River For this year’s hatsuhinode (first sunrise), I decided to skip the customary pilgrimage of heading to a mountain summit like last year, instead picking a quiet spot along an...
A Panorama of Mountains from Tama Lake in Tokyo. The Tokyo Metropolis sits on the Kanto Plain, the largest lowland area in Japan and home to around a third of the country’s population. To the east, the city is bordered by the Edogawa River and Chiba...