Read more about the article Climbing Yarigatake, one of Japan’s ‘best’ hikes.
The Northern Alps stretch below you

Climbing Yarigatake, one of Japan’s ‘best’ hikes.

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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Enzansō

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.

Northern Alps from Enzansō

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Read more about the article Over The West, Here Come The Alps
Matsumoto Castle is one of the best preserved in Japan.

Over The West, Here Come The Alps

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…