Mt. Tado hike (403m)

Mt. Tado was a great hike....minded the heat wave, though. But we were compensated by a nice swimming area where we had lunch and went swimming. Visiting Tado Shrine was an interesting way to end this hike. It couldn't have been more fun. Thank you guys.

More photos here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/sergioinjapan/MtTadoHike403m

Hike Details:
Transportation: 9.01 Kintetsu train from Nagoya to Tado (via Kuwana) 560 yen each way.
Hike Rating: 1 star
Number of hikers: 13
Leader: Sergio

"Good-bye Sara" hike (Mt. Gozaisho)

More photos here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/sergioinjapan/GoodByeSaraHike

Event:	Hike and swim
Date:	July 22nd, 2007
Hike:	Mt. Gozaisho (1210m)
Transportation:	7.52 Meitetsu bus to Yunoyama Onsen (it takes 1 hour). The one way fare is 1,280 yen.
Hiking hours:	Around 6 hours including a swim.
Rate:	2 star
Hike Leader:	Sara (finally!)

Gorgeous Kakizore Gorge Hike

More photos at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/sergioinjapan/GorgeousKakizoreGorgeHike

Hiking in Central Japan Alps

Dates: 30 June to 1 July
Hiking time: 7 hours (day 1); 5 and a half hours (day 2)
Peaks: Hokendake (2931m) and Hinokiodake (2728m), Central Japan Alps
Transportation: By car to Komagane Kogen, bus to Shirabi Daira, cable car to Senjojiki
Grade: 3 star (open to platinum members)
Number of hikers: 5
Leader: Alan
Highlights: scrambling up and down rocks, the views from the ridge when the clouds cleared, the troop of monkeys at the top of Hinokiodake, the lone kamoshika or Japanese serow (wooly goat-antelope animal), blossom and other flowers, visit to one of the town's onsens (hot springs) at the end
Lowlights: thick fog obscured our views on the second day, the hut at Kisodono sanso was not yet open (we stayed at the emergency hut near Hinokiodake instead which was very good), a bit of sunburn
Jo's photos
Sergio's photos
Justin's photos

Mirokuyama(437m) and Dojuyama(429m) hike

Today we did a short easy hike with Kasugai City Botanic Garden as the start and hiked on Tokai Nature Trail (Green-rich area included in Aichi Highland Quasi-National Park) of Mirokuyama and Dojuyama with gentle ups and downs. We enjoyed great views from the top of Mirokuyama and at the top of Dojuyama stone Buddhas with gentle smiles (???) greeted us.

Pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/sergioinjapan/MirokuyamaAndDojuyamaHike

Kyogatake 2296m

Mountain: Kyogatake, Kiso Mountains (Central Alps), Nagano
Height: 2296m (we started at 950m)
Grade: 3
Hiking time: 8 hours including breaks
Number of hikers: 10
Transportation: cars (Chuo expressway to Komagane exit)
Highlights: beautiful flowers, fragrant larch trees, (when the remains of the sand from China cleared in the afternoon) we had lovely views of the alps and of Kisokomagatake.
Lowlights: Many of us were not in the best condition. Lots of blisters, aching legs and tiredness about, but we all made it up and down OK. I'm glad we brought Dr. Justin and his medical kit along!

Link to the hiking course

Jo's photos

Sergio's photos

I forgot to take a picture at the top! Did anyone else get one? Please post a comment and link to your pictures.

Magome-Tsumago hike

Magome- Tsumago-Nagiso hike Sunday 20th May

Today as the weather cooperated perfectly, 20 avid hikers (includind two little kids) decided to give the 2 important post towns in the Edo period on the Nakasendo trail a try. We started in a town called Magome (Gifu) and walked 8,0 km to Tsumago (Nagano). They really are beautiful old preserved towns. Along the way we were treated with great views from the mountains, tiny villages, rice fields, waterfalls and forests. From Tsumago we headed for Nagiso Sta. , at the end of the hike. All in all, it took us 5 hours and was a great Sunday.

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/sergioinjapan/MagomeTsumagoNagisoHike