Kokai River Park Poppy Flower Field - 5/2022

Remembering loved ones this spring with poppy flowers galore! Poppy flower is said to represent remembrance. 

Camera: iPhone 8

 

 

Video by Lifeisamt

Norin Sakura Dōri(Cherry Blossom Street)/農林さくら通り

April 5, 2022 

Nōrin Sakura Dōri(Nōrin Cherry Blossom Street) is one of the most popular cherry blossom spots in Tsukuba. Someiyoshino and Yayoizakura cherry blossoms are proudly on parade all along this 1.5km street on the Agricultural Research Institute campus. 🌸🌸🌸 

"Where flowers bloom, so does hope." - Lady Bird Johnson -

Camera : iPhone 8

 

Video by Lifeisamt

 

Mt. Adatara Fall Foliage Hike - 安達太良山 紅葉ハイク

October 20, 2020 

Spectacular display of fall foliage is on parade in Mt. Adatara, Fukushima, Japan. Gorgeous fall colors are breathtaking and can be seen endlessly all along the trail and through the mountains as you go. This is one of the most beautiful fall hikes I’ve gone for.🍁🍁🍁 Totally jaw dropping and eye popping! 😲🤩 The massive volcanic crater near the top is quite a sight and otherworldly.🌋 

The hike offers spectacular vistas, colors and landscape. In addition,　soaking in the hot springs right by trailhead wraps up the hike perfect!♨️👍

Trail is well maintained and hiking boots are recommended as the route gets partially rocky and muddy. 

Hiked on 10/20/2020 

Summit: 1,700m(5,577ft) 

Gain: 750m(2,460ft) 

Distance: *10km(6.2 miles) loop including 2km/ropeway to descend 

*I took 6km(3.7 miles) route to summit Mt. Adatara ascending from Okudake trailhead via Kurogane Hut. However, most people take 4km route to Mt. Adatara using ropeway from trailhead to Yakushidake and trek to summit. 

Info about Mt. Adatara: https://www.city.nihonmatsu.lg.jp/page/page002703.html

 

Video by Lifeisamt

 

Hiking Chausu-dake (Nasu-dake) - 茶臼岳(那須岳)

August 20, 2020

I went on a half day/sunset hike scaling Mt. Chausu (Chausu-dake/1,915m) which is an active volcano. It’s one of the five volcanic mountains forming Nasu Five Peaks (Nasu-go-take). Nasu-dake is located in the north of Nikkō National Park, Japan. It’s also listed as one of the best 100 mountains in Japan.

What a great hike! This is a good workout hike with spectacular views, dramatic landscapes, volcanic steam rising, and mystical energy surrounding. It’s really cool. Two thumps up!!👍👍 

The trail is in good shape, well marked and relatively short (100 minutes to summit according to trail map). It gets rocky as you ascend, so hiking boots are recommended. Stay hydrated along the way if you hike Nasu-dake in summer as the trail is mostly exposed to the sun with no shade. ☀️😅 Happy hiking! 👍😎 

Hike Date:          8/20/2020 

Distance:           10-12km RT(?) 

Elevation Gain:   500m (approx.) 

Summit:            1,915m

Japan National Park: Nasu-dake

https://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/guide/nasu/map/index.html

Video by Lifeisamt

Climbing Mt. Fuji (3,776m/12,390ft) - 9/16/2019

Mt. Fuji summit crator

The Journey

Climbing Mt. Fuji was one of my bucket lists this year, so I'm glad I could cross that out. I scaled Mt. Fuji via Fujinomiya Route on 9/16/2019. The official climbing season/2019 ended on September 10, and mountain huts/toilets en route were already closed and not available until 2020 season. Hence, I climbed at my own risk. Be well prepared for frequent weather/temp change (rain, mist, gust, rockfall, whiteout, clouds and intense sun) and altitude sickness during the climb as Mt. Fuji is a solitary mountain and the surrounding weather changes so quickly as it develops its own weather. 

Mt. Fuji is named UNESCO’s World Heritage Cultural site since 2013. Climb and experience Mt. Fuji in environmentally/ecologically conscious manner for generations to come. 

Distance/Fujinomiya Trail: 10km RT 
Elevation Gain: 1,376m (2,400/3,776) 
Summit: 3,776m (Kengamine Peak)

About Mt. Fuji  

Mt. Fuji (Fujisan) is the most iconic peak of Japan. It is Japan's highest (3,776m/12,390ft) and most famous mountain, inspiring Japanese art and literature for centuries. It is also revered as a sacred mountain and many climbers attempt to summit and see the sunrise. Mt. Fuji is an active stratovolcano and last erupted in 1707-1708.

The official climbing season is from early July to mid September. This is when the mountain is usually free of snow and the weather is relatively mild.

There are 4 officially designated trails for climbing Mt. Fuji, and each trail is divided into 10 stations with 5th station as trailhead. The 4 trails are Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Subashiri, and Gotemba trails. Depending on the trail, the terrain and condition of the climbing route vary with distance, incline, rockiness/sandiness, facing north/east/south.  

Yoshida Trail

Elevation: 2300m
Ascent: 6 hours
Descent: 3.5 hours
This is the most popular climbing route and the most accessible with many mountain huts along the way.

Fujinomiya Trail

Elevation: 2400m
Ascent: 5 hours
Descent: 2 hours and 45 minutes
This is the southern approach to summit. It is the shortest and steepest route. 

Subashiri Trail

Elevation: 2000m
Ascent: 5.5 hours
Descent: 3 hours
Subashiri Trail starts in the forest and meets Yoshida Trail near the 8th station.

Gotemba Trail

Elevation: 1400m
Ascent: 7.5 hours
Descent: 3 hours
This is the longest approach to summit per time and distance and the terrain is sandy.

For detailed infomation and guidelines of climbing Mt. Fuji, visit the official web site for Mt. Fuji Climbing.

Video by Lifeisamt

At Mt. Fuji summit: 3,776m (Kengamine Peak)

 

 

Nemophila Harmony 2019 ネモフィラ ハーモニー2019 - Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan

Wow, it’s all blue! This is one of the most spectacular spring flowers you can see in Japan. Nemophila (Baby blue eyes) Harmony festival is happening in Hitachi Seaside Park ひたち海浜公園, Ibaraki Prefecture. Over 4.5 million blue Nemophila flowers are in full swing on Miharashi Hills みはらしの丘 offering breathtaking vistas in harmony....the flowers, blue sky and the ocean. Amazing! 👍👍 

For Nemophila Harmony info: https://hitachikaihin.jp/en.html

Video by Lifeisamt

1,000 year old Miharu Takizakura 2019/樹齢1,000年の三春滝桜 - Fukushima, Japan

Miharu Takizakura 三春の滝桜 is 1,000 year old cherry tree and one of Japan’s 3 Great Sakura trees declared as national natural monument in 1922. 

It is truly amazing to be able to visit this old beautiful sakura tree still standing strong in glory! Amazing and majestic!!

Japan's 3 Great Sakura Trees: 

Miharu Takizakura - 1,000 yrs old (Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture) 
Yamataka Jindaizakura - 2,000 yrs old (Hokuto, Yamanshi Prefecture) 
Neodani no Usuzumizakura - 1,500 yrs old (Motosu, Gifu Prefecture) 

三春滝桜（福島県三春町）は、日本三大桜の一つであり、その樹齢は、1000年以上と推定されている。日本三大桜は、1922年（大正11年）10月12日に国の天然記念物に指定された三つの桜である。三春滝桜の満開は正に圧巻。感動です。 

日本三大桜: 

三春滝桜、樹齢1000年（福島県田村郡三春町） 
山高神代桜、樹齢2000年（山梨県北杜市） 
根尾谷の淡墨桜、樹齢1500年（岐阜県本巣市）

Video by Lifeisamt

Cherry Blossom Festival 2019 - Hill Hitachi Fudoki 常陸風土記の丘さくらまつり 2019

Cherry Blossom Festival 2019 (3/26~4/22) at Hill Hitachi Fudoki in Ishioka, Ibaraki Prefecture. Cherry blossoms (Shidarzakura) are in full bloom and marvelous! Light up at night is also nice. 

茨城県石岡市の常陸風土記の丘さくらまつり ( 3/26~4/22)。しだれ桜が満開で見ごろ。夜のライトアップもいい効果を出している。

Video by Lifeisamt

800 year old Ishito Kabazakura 2019 - Japan's 5 Great Sakura Trees/樹齢800年石戸蒲ザクラ - 日本五大桜

Ishito Kabazakura is one of Japan's 5 Great Sakura Trees (cherry trees). Kabazakura is estimated around 800 years old. 

The Japanese government designated the five specific cherry trees as National Natural Monuments on October 12, 1922. 

It is worth the visit to see and pay respect to this amazing Sakura tree. The cherry blossoms are very nice as well. 

Japan's 5 Great Sakura Trees (* indicates Japan's 3 Great Sakura Trees): 

*Miharu Takizakura (Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture) 
Ishito Kabazakura (Kitamoto, Saitama Prefecture) 
*Yamataka Jindaizakura (Hokuto, Yamanshi Prefecture) 
Kariyado no Gebazakura (Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture) 
*Neodani no Usuzumizakura (Motosu, Gifu Prefecture) 

石戸蒲ザクラ（埼玉県北本市）は、日本五大桜のひとつであり、その樹齢は、およそ800年と推定されている。日本五大桜は、1922年（大正11年）10月12日に国の天然記念物に指定された5つの桜である。石戸蒲ザクラは、尊敬をもって一見の価値がある由緒ある桜の木である。 

日本五大桜（＊印は日本三大桜): 

＊三春滝桜（福島県田村郡三春町） 　
石戸蒲ザクラ（埼玉県北本市） 
＊山高神代桜（山梨県北杜市） 　
狩宿の下馬ザクラ（静岡県富士宮市） 
＊根尾谷の淡墨桜（岐阜県本巣市）

Video by Lifeisamt

Best Cherry Blossom Festivals in Tokyo 2019/Part 1 東京のベスト桜まつり2019 Part 1

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Tokyo now. There are many places to view cherry blossoms in Tokyo. I hit some of the best cherry blossom viewing spots: 

Sumida River Park
Ueno Park
Rikugikan
Tokyo Midtown

I particularly enjoyed Yozakura: cherry blossoms at night. Lanterns or lights light up the blossoms at night. Hanami: flower viewing...is popular not only during the daytime, but also at night. Hidden gem of Yozakura is the streets up the hill next to Ark Hills from Roppongi-Itchome towards the Embassy of Spain and Izumi Garden. The blossoms of the large cherry trees along the streets are spectacular and perhaps not known by many because I hardly saw people there. It could be a hidden gem for a cherry blossom viewing spot. 

To view Best Cherry Blossom Festivals in Tokyo 2019/Part 2 東京のベスト桜まつり2019 Part 2: https://youtu.be/TrD7SxCB4iY

Video by Lifeisamt

Plum Blossom Festival - Mito Kairakuen, Japan 水戸偕楽園梅祭り2019

2019 Plum Blossom Festival at Mito Kairakuen, Ibaraki, Japan. White, pink and red plum blossoms are in full bloom. Plum blossoms in the light-up at night are sensitively spectacular! Bamboo forest is also lit up creating magical beauty. 

水戸偕楽園の梅祭り-2019。白、ピンク、赤の梅の花が満開です。夜のライトアップによる梅花はほのかに情緒豊かな美しさ。竹林のライトアップも幻想的で素晴らしい。

Video by Lifeisamt

Plum Blossom Festival 2019 - Mt. Tsukuba, Japan 筑波山梅祭り2019

Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival 2019. White and pink plum blossoms are in full bloom on the hillside of Mt. Tsukuba now. The festival goes on till March 21. 

筑波山の梅祭りは今満開です。紅白の梅の花が綺麗に咲いています。梅祭りは3月21日まで。

 Video by Lifeisamt

Mt. Tsukuba Nantaisan via Miyukigahara Trail & Fall Colors 筑波山男体山 御幸ヶ原コースと秋の紅葉 12/2/2018

Hiking up Mt. Tsukuba Nantaisan via Miyukigahara Trail 筑波山男体山 御幸ヶ原コース. Fall colors are still beautiful, but fading quickly now....colors were still nice around Tsukubasan Shrine (筑波山神社) and the cable car station.

Miyukigahara Trail 御幸ヶ原コース
This trail is a great workout and challenging/strenuous, so be prepared. Not ideal for beginners.

Summit Elevation: 871m
Distance: 2.5km
Elevation Gain: 610m
Difficulty: Difficult/Strenuous

Mt. Tsukuba
Mt. Tsukuba(Tsukubasan筑波山), one of 100 famous mountains in Japan, is located in Ibaraki Prefecture, within an hour from Tokyo by train (Tsukuba Express). For centuries Mt. Tsukuba has been worshipped as “sacred mountain” with the entire mountain seen as a body of deity. That said, there are shrines and sacred meanings attached to various locations in the mountain. There’s also a saying about Mt. Tsukuba and Mt. Fuji, “nishi no Fuji, higashi no Tsukuba,” that is, Mt. Fuji in the west and Mt. Tsukuba in the east.

The journey
People usually start from Tsukubasan Shrine (Tsukubasan Jinja 筑波山神社) or Tsutsujigaoka (つつじヶ丘), but my hike began from Numata, a small town at the foot of the mountain, which added extra 2.5km to the journey. It was worth for the extra effort, however, sightseeing through a quaint mountain community and businesses such as local foods and souvenirs. Mt. Tsukuba is a rocky mountain with dense forest and twin peaks, Nyotaisan (“female body”)/877m and Nantaisan (“male body”)/871m. There are several hiking trails to scale the mountain, and trailheads are located near Tsukubasan Shrine (Tsukubasan Jinja 筑波山神社) on the mountainside and Tsutsujigaoka (つつじヶ丘) where the ropeway station is, depending on which hiking course you want to take.

Miyukigahara Trail 御幸ヶ原コース
This trail offers a great workout hike ascending vertically straight up along steep rocky terrains. The route is the most rugged and steepest in Mt. Tsukuba, but shortest approach to the summit. At the top, take in panoramic vistas from Nantaisan....however, Nyotaisan offers better views, I'd say. Miyukigaraha trail surely kicks your butt and burns your leg muscles.  If you like a challenging hike, this hike will not disappoint you!

Bring layers as temperature could change significantly at the top. Trekking poles may be useful.

For my Nyotaisan hike女体山ハイク report:

http://johnshiking.blogspot.com/2018/12/mt-tsukuba-nyotaisan-via-shirakumobashi.html

Video by Lifeisamt