Hiking opportunities abound throughout Japan. What follows are a series of photos from summertime hikes outside of Tokyo.
Nikko has some of the most beautiful trails I’ve ever experienced…
…with incredible views…
… many fishermen…
… and several waterfalls…
… gorgeous waterfalls.
The message of this sign is clear (even without knowledge of Japanese).
It was great fun driving the roads in this area.
But Nikko is most known for its temples…
…which are surrounded by towering cedar trees…
… with celestial protection.
About an hour outside of Tokyo is Mt. Takao.
At 599 meters (1,965 feet), it provides nice 360° views.
Greg and I traveled west during the Obon holiday in August.
The train ride through the Kurobe Gorge was impressive….
… providing close up views of Japan’s extensive hydro-electric power generation.
We also visited the world-heritage Shirakawa village….
…with its roofs made of straw (no nails are used)…
… they are designed to withstand the region’s heavy snowfall in winter.
We stayed at a traditional Japanese Ryokan nearby.
No shoes are allowed inside.
All the rooms have wall-to-wall tatami mats…
… which we later prepared for sleeping.
Our room came complete with a telephone (youngsters, ask your parents how to operate this device).
Bathing is available in the public bath (separated for men and women), with geothermally heated water.
The appropriate wardrobe is provided.
South of Tokyo, we explored the Kamakura area, which started with a street car ride…
… to Enoshima Island…
… with its grand views.
Along the way, street vendors prepared fresh delicacies (squid in this case).
The Big Buddha is the main attraction in Kamakura.
Meditation leads to the middle path (and eventual enlightenment).
This Buddha comes complete with air vents…
… for those inside (this Buddha is hollow).
As people donated, one man collected.
We hiked along a mountain ridge on a “trail of roots.”
In the midst was a wonderful café (which started years ago as a simple jug of water for weary hikers).
Our trail eventually brought us to a tunnel…
…leading to Zeniarai Benzaiten shrine…
… where we washed our money (tradition has it the money will multiply).
In late August, we dropped Kayla at the airport. First stop – Vienna for a month of language immersion, then off to Bremen, Germany, for her junior year (alle Klassen auf Deutsch).
We noticed the Tokyo airport is already preparing for the next summer Olympics.
In case you missed it, the Olympic closing ceremony in Rio featured Japan’s Prime Minister Abe as Super Mario. This was a very clever transition to Tokyo.
Bonus photo: Thanks to Pat and Mindy for their visit during their travels through Asia.
Enjoy. ts
Ukrainian Tom 