Autumn leaves
Written by: adekun on 7 November, 2008 10:27 pm - Filed under: hiroshima, shimane — 4 Comments »
Wednesday began abruptly, if a little late. Although Kento begins sleeping alongside us, he soon turns 90 degrees (maybe it’s 270°) so he can stick his toes in my ear. After a disturbed night, I was looking forward to lie-in when Tsutomu called. The day was probably the last clear day for a while and a good one to behold autumnal colours.
Beginning of the track and summit
Looking back at the Hiroshima side and car park
Looking over at Shimane and Mount Daisen (far distance)
Once we met up, it was a two hour drive to Mount Agatsuma (吾妻山). The mountain straddles both the prefectures of Shimane and Hiroshima. Continue reading
Kento’s first camp
Written by: adekun on 14 October, 2008 3:33 pm - Filed under: blog — 8 Comments »
Fixing the tent
The three of us, along with my sister-in-law went camping over on the Shimane peninsula. Instead of bringing smaller tents, we hired a spacious six man tent. I guess all along the coastline it can get pretty windy. The afternoon we arrived was no exception. One of the many jobs I was tasked with was erecting the tent with a set of Japanese instructions. The two pregnant females looked on while Kento ran off with the mallet and the flysheet turned into a parasail.
With darkness soon approaching, the next challenge was to turn an assortment of mismatched foods into an agreeable dinner, in a gale. I pictured myself being on the set of Ready Steady Cook. Continue reading
Mount Daisen: Beech Forest
Written by: adekun on 16 September, 2008 11:45 pm - Filed under: tottori — 4 Comments »
Descending into the beech forest
Emboldened by last week’s adventure, I set off with the intention of following the popular route to Misen Peak (弥山). From the other end of Motodani dam, the Gyojadani course (行者谷コース) immediately begins to rise. At first, there’s a little weaving through forest. Thereafter, the path climbs up a ridge. Meeting another path, it continues up the adjoining ridge, passing a hut (六合目) at stage six. The condition of my boots deteriorated as quickly as the mist had appeared. Continue reading
Mount Daisen: Utopia and Sankohou
Written by: adekun on 10 September, 2008 9:14 am - Filed under: tottori — 2 Comments »
Yesterday, I was fortunate to go walking with experienced Tsutomu around Mount Daisen (大山). He celebrated his sixtieth birthday this year and has recently retired.
Tsutomu amongst the nettles
We followed the usual course past Daisen-ji (a Buddhist temple) and Ōgamiyama Jinja (a Shinto shrine) to the Motodani dam. From there we took a steep, overgrown route toward Sankohou (三鈷峰). It was very much a clamber over moss covered rock, decaying logs, disguised deep under leaves.
There was some uncertainty in view of what lay before us. After some progress the nettles became less thick. I passed a discarded bottle of Pocari Sweat and an empty 35mm film canister. It was all the more unfortunate to see the matching top several paces ahead. Joining a path, Mount Sankohou was soon visible. Undulating and curling around were soon closing upon Utopia (ユートピア) lodge. Continue reading
Ame no manai
Written by: adekun on 6 August, 2008 10:17 pm - Filed under: tottori — No Comments »
ame no manai waterwheel
At the base of Mount Daisen sits the tiny village of 天之真名井 (ame no manai). I’m told the name of the village has something to do with an angel appearing and bathing in the water. A tourist brochure mentions it being amongst the Environment Agency’s Top 100 Select Waters. It also lists fireflies as a famous sight. When we arrived at the old watermill the wheel wasn’t turning but soon gathered enough force to slowly start spinning.
Nichinan
Written by: adekun on 21 July, 2008 11:54 pm - Filed under: tottori — 3 Comments »
Just off route 180 in the town of Nichinan is a small set of waterfalls near an old ryokan. It’s just a short walk from the road. Inside the former hotel we watched a weaver at work on an old loom. Hanging on the walls were many traditional patchwork pieces. Coffee was served with a danshaku potato and miso wrapped in hoba. Continue reading
Sanbutsuji
Written by: adekun on 6 May, 2008 9:46 pm - Filed under: tottori — 6 Comments »
Nageiredo Hall, Mitokusan
A little way from nearby Kurayoshi is the town of Misasa. While the town is famed for it’s radon spas, Sanbutsuji set upon Mitokusan (Mt. Mitoku) really draws the crowds. The temple’s pinnacle is Nageiredo hall. Back in 706 it is said to have been thrown in the mountain by a monk. It rests between two and three hundred metres above a steep gorge, seemingly defying gravity. Continue reading
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