A day outside Tokyo

As with most of my business trips where I am in a city for more than a week, I try and find something to do outside of that city. And since I love to hike what better way of experiencing Japan than to get outside Tokyo and seeing some nature!

After some searching on the Internet I was able to find some information about local hikes and trails in English (http://sakeandkimono.blogspot.com/2009/05/get-drunk-bit-after-hiking.html and Day walks near Tokyo) The goal: Three Peaks of Takamizu.

The day started of on a two hour train ride heading west of central Tokyo to a small town called Mitake. Most of the ride was just travelling through the seemingly never ending neighborhoods, but with only a few miles to go you start to head into the mountains and the views are amazing.

Takamizu Route

Trail Profile

After getting my bearings at Mitake Station I head out to the trail. Almost immediately you enter the cypress forest and the climb does not stop for a while.

The first peak, which I bypassed, is Mt. Sōgaku where a shrine is also located. I decided to keep going on to the other peaks. The trail soon became less demanding, but still provided a good workout and it was not long before I was at the next peak, Mt. Iwatakeishi.

Here I decide to take a break, have a snack and enjoy the views. The weather was nice and I am sure glad that I was hiking in the beginning of June and not the middle of summer. I was joined by several other hikers who also made use of the many benches.

After a short while it was time to start moving again... there is sake to be had!

The third peak, Mt Takamizu, was not too much further or challenging, but still offered beautiful vistas.

Just after the peak is Jōfuku Temple. I am always amazed at the craftsmanship the Japanese possessed without the wood working tools we have today.

They take so much pride in everything they made. Just look at the bell tower... I should have rang that thing!

The remaining hike was down a valley and to Ikusabata station. About halfway down the trail merges with a local road where houses lined the narrow valley and a stream provide some nice pools and waterfalls.

There were several shrines along the way, but this one was my favorite; I like the sword and flames behind the main character. But the main source of entertainment was the following sign I saw between the road and the stream.


I have no idea what is written on the frog, but the sight made me LOL! I am determined to find out what it says and will post it soon.

**UPDATE** So the the drunk frog, that was posted near a stream, warns of landslides and falling objects. I guess this makes sense after all, the banks of the stream are quite steap and after some rain are probably very slick. But why a frog... that looks drunk? Is it me or would the sign be more fitting if it was to have said "Hey kids... man I had a crazy night. Why don't you hang out and swim for a while".

After a short, one stop, train ride I headed over to the Sawanoi Brewery. I found this place on the same blog that lead me to the hike... coincidence? ;-)

I ended up joining a tour that was just about to start when I arrived on site. Just one issue though... the whole tour was only in Japanese. Not that I expected any thing else, just that I was a very interesting hour. At the end they supplied a sampling of the one of there sakes.

Adjacent to the brewery was a pavilion where you could sample more of there sake, snack on food from several vendors and sit back and enjoy the views.

KAMPAI!