Provided by local communities for pilgrims
Having immensely enjoyed the same trail in 2017, in early February this year, I embarked on the overnight hike from Mitsumine Shrine (三峯神社), up to Mt. Kumotori (雲取山), and down to Kamosawa (鴨沢) for the second year running. This time I did it alone and, with snow up to my knees at some points, it was a bit of an invigorating ordeal. Read more
Having been defeated by the hot weather and the treacherous route we took through the Hotaka Mountains in September 2016, a year later, Chen and I returned to Kamikōchi (上高地) to try a different trail with the objective of reaching Mount Yari (槍ヶ岳) over a four day hike, camping at mountain huts along the way. Read more
While there are many peaks of a similar height, Kitadake (北岳) takes the crown as the second tallest mountain in Japan, after Mt. Fuji, topping out at 3,193 m. Located in the Minami Alps National Park (南アルプス国立公園), the name Mount Kita literally means “northern mountain,” referring to its being the northernmost of the three Akaishi Mountains (赤石山脈) otherwise known as the “Southern Alps” (南アルプス). Read more
In recent years I’ve discovered the joys of hiking in Japan, where all levels of experience are catered for with well-maintained trails and some of the best mountain huts in the world. Up until this January, I’d never ventured out during the winter and, as this trip proved, I was missing out! Read more
Dark clouds hung from the sky as I set out to conquer the final temple this morning. Usually this would be a cause for concern, but with the end in sight it only emboldened me to walk faster. Read more
After a sound nights sleep at Goshikidai hut I woke with the sunrise to a much-improved weather situation and was feeling good. Read more
Today the weather didn’t seem to be able to make its mind up about whether it was merely depressed or openly crying. Read more
I woke with the sunrise in the curtainless tsuyado at Unpen-ji (雲辺寺 – 66) this morning around 5am. Nobody was around and it was great to wander the mountaintop temple with nothing but the sound of birds singing. Read more
I’m writing this by torchlight tonight from the tsuyado at Unpen-ji (雲辺寺 – 66), the highest mountain temple in Shikoku at 900m. Due to some weird borders I’m technically back in Tokushima Prefecture and will pass into Kagawa, the fourth and final prefecture tomorrow. Read more