June 9, 2014

Hike from Hinohara Village to Lake Sagami: Mount Usuki, Mount Ichimichi, Mount Daigomaru & Mount Jinba

After visiting the Hossawa Falls, which was actually a detour, I turned east to reach Mount Usuki (臼杵山) and continued to Mount Ichimichi (市道山). Those are two of the “Three Togura Mountains” (戸倉三山). After Mount Ichimichi, I walked south to Mount Daigomaru (醍醐丸) then went down to Wada Pass (和田峠) before climbing the stairs leading to the summit of Mount Jinba (陣馬山). I then walked part of the trail to Mount Takao but went down the mountain at Myo Pass (明王峠) in the direction of Lake Sagami (相模湖), passing Yose Shrine (与瀬神社) along the way. I then took the train back to Tokyo from Sagamiko station.

June 8, 2014

Hossawa Waterfall

The Hossawa Waterfall (払沢の滝; Hossawa-no-taki) is located in Hinohara Village, in western Tokyo. It is only about 10 minutes from the bus stop, next to the trailhead to Mount Sengenrei. This page has a map and directions to its location.

May 15, 2014

Boat ride on Lake Kawaguchi

After getting down from Mount Kachi Kachi, I was walking by the boat terminal near the ropeway station and there was a lake cruise just about to start. I decided to hop on board.

May 14, 2014

Hike to Mount Mitsutoge, Mount Kachi Kachi & Lake Kawaguchi

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a hike to Mount Mitsutoge (三つ峠山), in the Fuji 5 Lakes area.

May 9, 2014

Hike to Mount Toyama in Nikko

Mount Toyama (外山) is a mountain in Nikko. It is only a short walk (~1.5km) from the World Heritage sites, with great view on Nikko and Mount Nyoho at the summit. Here is a map of the trail.

May 3, 2014

Hike from Lake Naguri to Ome: Mount Bonoore, Mount Iwatakeishi & Mount Takamizu

As I mentioned in my previous post, I recently went hiking in Naguri (名栗), in Saitama Prefecture. It is a popular hiking area with many trails to choose from. For myself, I followed a trail to Ikusabata station, in Ome City (Tokyo), passing through Mount Bounoore, Mount Iwatakeishi and Mount Takamizu. Here is a map of the trail (in reverse direction).

May 3, 2014

Hakuunsan Torii Kannon

Last week, I went on a hike that started from Naguri Village, in Hanno City (Saitama Prefecture). While researching the path, I learned about the Hakuunsan Torii Kannon (白雲山鳥居観音). It is a large park built on a mountain in Naguri, with multiple temples and monuments, the most impressive of which is the white Dai-Kannon (救世大観音 ; Guze Dai-Kannon). At 33m, it is a large statue of Kannon that can be seen from quite far. Like at the Tokyo Wan Kannon, it is even possible to climb to the head (but it was not open yet when I was there).

April 29, 2014

Musashi-Mitake Shrine

Musashi-Mitake Shrine (武蔵御嶽神社) is the shinto shrine sitting at the top of Mount Mitake. On May 7th and 8th, it will hold its annual Hinode (Sunrise) Festival.

April 29, 2014

Hike from Okutama to Mount Otake & Mount Mitake

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Okutama in western Tokyo on a hike to Mount Otake and Mount Mitake.

April 19, 2014

Tokai Nature Trail: Hike from Lake Sagami to Mount Shiro & Mount Takao

After getting down from Mount Sekirou and/ back at Sagami Dam, I decided to return home using the Tokyo section of the Tokai Nature Trail. It goes from the dam to Mount Shiro (城山) and Mount Takao (高尾山). I then took the lift down Mount Takao to the Keio Takaosanguchi train station.