The Sacred Power of Haha-no-Shirataki Waterfall In addition to our recent visit to the Tenku-no Torii (Torii Gate in the Sky), we also made a stop at the Haha-no-Shirataki Waterfall (Mother’s White Waterfall) located nearby. It’s definitely worth a...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Hiked on May 31, 2020 . Mt. Imakuma 今熊山 – Mt. Kariyose 刈寄山 – Kongo Falls 金剛の滝 Duration: 5.5 hours Distance: 13.7 km Elevation change: 447 metres Highest point: 687 metres Start: Imakumasan Tozanguchi Bus Stop...
Hiked on Sep 14, 2019 Aug 28, 2021 . Mt. Takahata 高畑山 – Mt. Kuratake 倉岳山 Duration: 5.5 hours Distance: 11.4 km Elevation change: 674 metres Highest point: 990 metres Start: Torisawa Station (Chuo Main...
Hiked on May 29, 2019 . Mt. Ogura 御座山 – Zeneimine 前衛峰 – Miharashidai 見晴台 Duration: 2 days Distance: 11 km Elevation change: 972 metres Highest point: 2112 metres Start: Kuryu bus stop Finish:...
Hiked on Apr 13, 2019 . Unazawa Otaki Falls 海沢大滝 – Onara Pass 大楢峠 Duration: 5 hours Distance: 14.8 km Elevation change: 340 metres Highest point: 680 metres Start: Shiromaru Station (Ome Line) Finish: Kori...
Hiked on Dec 1, 2018 Jan 3, 2022 . Mt. Aso 麻生山 – Mt. Hinodeyama 日の出山 – Tsurutsuru onsen つるつる温泉 Duration: 3.5 hours Distance: 8 km Elevation change: 597 metres Highest point: 902 metres Start:...
Fun, One-of-a-Kind Experience A waterfall that doubles as a natural hot spring is the best way to describe the Kamuiwakka Falls which are located up the road from the Shiretoko Five Lakes. These falls are one of Japan’s more amazing natural...
Small Town with an Aquamarine Pond Smack-bang in the middle of Hokkaido finds the Biei Blue Pond (Aoiike) an artificial pond flanking the Biei River and down the road from the Shirogane Onsen. The pond itself is little more than an oversized puddle...