Hike to Mount Iwatakeishi & Mount Bounoore
A few weeks ago, I went back to Mitake to continue the trail to Mount Bounoore (aka Mount Bounomine) I had planned to do then but abandoned due to the fog.
nature
Autumn at the Rikugien Garden
Rikugien Garden (六義園) is a park in Bunkyo City, Tokyo. The garden consists of a pond, trees, and a hill. It was completed in 1702 and is a typical example of gardens from the Edo period. In November and early December, it becomes a popular spot for enjoying the autumn foliage (koyo). After dark, the garden stays open late and the trees are lit with special nighttime illuminations.
Hike to Mount To, Mount Tanzawa & Mount Sannoto
Last week, I went back to the Tanzawa mountains in Kanagawa Prefecture. This time, I hiked up Mount To (塔ノ岳; 1491m ; aka Tonodake), Mount Tanzawa (丹沢山; 1567m) and Mount Sannoto (三ノ塔; 1205m). Those mountains are quite popular: They are easily accessible with public transportation and the trail is very well-developed (stairs and huts at every summit). When the weather is good, it can offer great views on Mount Fuji. I was unlucky though: The forecast was “Sunny” but there was a lot of fog instead.
Hike to Mount Kumotori
At 2,017m, Mount Kumotori (雲取山) is the highest mountain in Tokyo. The peak actually stands at the boundaries of Tokyo, Yamanashi Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture. I went there on a day-hike a few weeks ago. I basically followed the plan outlined here (with map).
Abandoned "Tokyo Peace Pagoda" at Mount Odera
A Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa. It is designed to inspire peace and to help unite people of all races and creeds in their search for world peace. Most peace pagodas built since World War II have been built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myohoji Buddhist Order. Fujii was greatly inspired by his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1931 and decided to devote his life to promoting non-violence. In 1947, he began constructing Peace Pagodas as shrines to World peace.
The Tokyo Peace Pagoda was inaugurated in August 1974 at the summit of Mount Odera (大寺山; 960m) near Lake Okutama. Not sure why or when it was abandoned. I had a first glimpse of the pagoda when I went to Mount Gozen a few weeks ago and I had no idea what it was: It seemed like a large structure (actually 45m in height and 55m of diameter) but there was no mention of it on maps or tourism pamphlets. So I went to see for myself after I got down from Mount Mito. The trail starts between Mito Bridge and Miyama Bridge on Lake Okutama. It takes about 50min to the summit. After getting back to Lake Okutama, I crossed the Miyama Bridge and waited for the bus back to Okutama JR station.
Hike to Mount Mito
A couple of weeks ago, I hiked Mount Mito (三頭山; 1531m). It was my last of the “Three Mountains of Okutama”.
Hiking by the sea in Yugawara: Mount Shiro, Mount Maku and Mount Nango
A couple of weeks ago, I went hiking in the sea-side town of Yugawara, in Kanagawa Prefecture, going up, in order, Mount Shiro (城山; 563m), Mount Maku (幕山; 626m) and Mount Nango (南郷山; 610m). They are not very high mountains but since the route starts at sea level, it still made for good exercise. The view on the Pacific Ocean during the hike was also great.
Autumn at the Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is in Koishikawa, Bunkyo, Tokyo, next to Tokyo Dome City. It is one of two surviving Edo period clan gardens in modern Tokyo and one of the oldest and best preserved parks in Tokyo.
Lake Okutama Ikoi Trail / Floating Bridge
After getting down from Mount Tsukiyomi, I walked the Ikoi trail (奥多摩湖いこいの路). It is a mostly flat path that follows the south bank of Lake Okutama from the Ogouchi Dam to the Yama-no-Furusato Village. The autumn colors were quite nice in the sunset. Very relaxing after the mountains! Although I only did a short section, the whole trail takes about 4 hours.
After the Village, the Ikoi trail gives way to the Lakeside Path (湖畔の小道), which ends at the floating Mugiyama-no-Ukihashi (麦山の浮橋) bridge (aka Drum Bridge). The bridge takes walkers across the lake, next to the Ogouchi Shrine on the north bank. However, it is sometimes removed in case of drought (this blog should have some up-to-date info on closures).
Hike to Mount Gozen & Mount Tsukiyomi
Mount Gozen (御前山; 1407m) and Mount Tsukiyomi (月夜見山; 1147m) are mountains bordering Lake Okutama (奥多摩湖), in Okutama in western Tokyo. With Mount Odake and Mount Mito, Mount Gozen is one of the so-called Three Mountains of Okutama (奥多摩三山).