First day back in the Japanese Alps, it was a pretty serious day with a lot of up in a short time; tomorrow will be far, far worse. My goal is Yarigatake, at 3384m the fifth highest mountain in Japan; often considered one of the best climbs in the Hida Mountains.
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The Magome-Tsumago trail in the Kiso Valley is an original postal route in the Nagano Provence, the towns have been maintained in a mostly original state. Walking through the path passes through some beautiful forest, some original cobblestones and a bit of bitumen to remind you of modern times.
The day I walked from Magome to Tsumago was a rainy, cold day – it is easy to imagine what it was like to travel the hundreds of kilometres on foot as people once did.
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A lesson learnt this trip, don’t come to Japan in June, Tokyo is extremely hot and wet but most of the mountains are still covered in snow and not able to be climbed.
I wanted to go back into the Northern Alps but pretty much every route I investigated I eventually reached someone in the area and they told me that the route is still closed. It was in one of those research sessions that I came across the Otame-Ginza route from Nagano.
Back again for another trip to Japan, which starts with another first day. And the best way to end a day of travel, sitting in an izakaia just near the…
Day 9 - Hiking In Kamikochi, What You Need To Know Kamikochi Valley Monday, 11 July 2011 Goodbye to Kamikochi, back on the bus to Hurau Onsen... It was enough…
Day 8 - Out Of The Valley To Where The Alps Begin Kamikochi Valley Sunday, 10 July 2011 The last minute change from yari-ga-date to Karasawa hut ended up being…
Day 6 - Goodbye To The Castle, Hello To The Mountains Kamikochi Valley, Matsumoto Friday, 8 July 2011 It is with mixed feelings I am leaving matsomoto for Kamikochi, I…
Day 5 - Over The West, Here Come The Alps! Matsumoto, Tokyo Thursday, 7 July 2011 Matsumoto Castle is one of the best preserved in Japan. After a quick look…
Tokyo
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
I have just made a note to myself, don’t come to Tokyo in July!
9.00 am I glanced at the thermometer, already 35 degrees, I can’t wait for the cool of the Alps in a couple of days…
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Day 2 - In Tokyo Tokyo Monday, 4 July 2011 My first day back in Tokyo, nothing structured here - just my thoughts... Down the street in Tokyo... Where did…
Although Tokyo is easily one of the most crowded cities I’ve been in there are some beautiful places away from the city really not very far out of town.
