Hiking in Chichibu in 2014

2014/05/17 - 2014/05/17

We decided to go hiking before getting too hot, and I have heard from my colleague that Chichibu was not so far from Tokyo but many different things can enjoy. So first I collected the information and found there were some mountains we could go hiking. We went 1 day hike so I chose not too tough and even enjoy picnic. Soooo, we chose Mt Hotosan, only less than 500m high. It was nice hiking course with not so many people, and totally different from city, after only less than 2 hours train ride. We didn't have enough time to see the river, so maybe the next time, I want to try higher and mountains with longer course and see the Nagatoro river.

エリア 長瀞(埼玉)

We went from Ebisu to Kumagaya with Shonan Shinjuku line. Then changing to local line, Chichibu Railway. It was full of people, and we thought, oh the train would be so crowded... but they waited for SL train.

There is no shop around Nogami station! We started to hike from this place.

We passed by local temple, not special:P

From here, the hiking course starts.

First we needed to go up the steep path then it appeared nice deserted beautiful course. We felt so refreshed from tiresome working weekdays!

We came through beautiful green tunnel at first walk. Nice combination of green and sunshine.

These blossoms seem a kind of wild Satsuki, but each blossoms are smaller and very cute pink color.

I like this picture very much, nice color, like the image of early summer.

After green tunnel, there are cedar forest, they grow so big and straight.

Be careful for poisonous mushrooms! Hahaha, they are not my favorite, so it sounds like joking:P

Last part was so steep steps! I could almost climb up with my hands!! It is difficult to show it in picture.

At last, about 2 hours hike, we came to the top of Hodosan! It was veery nice course to hike. Amasing! Only a few hours from Tokyo.

From the top, we could see Bukosan in opposite side. Well, the next time, we can try to climb up there.

As usual, we did picnic there. There are some benches and tables with good view and sir, and several groups had picnic also.

Over the picnic place, there is the Hodosan shrine. A bit strange thing, it has guardian wolves, usually it should be dog.

We went down the steep stairs from shrine, and then there is a Satsuki field. Their top season was almost over, but still very beautiful with lot of different colors.

The road going down from Hotosan was all asphalt, not like mountain road. Anyway we safely finished hiking! Otsukaresamadshita.

I heard from my colleague, there is a famous Japanese ice flake (kakigoori) place in Nagatoro, Asami Raizo. I wanted to go there, but there was a line, seemed took another one hour to get in the cafe... and it was sooo hot after walking. We couldn't wait for it, so...

We decided to go to another cafe, Yamashita, 30-40 meters up from it. They also use same ice from that crowded cafe, furthermore we thought the atmosphere was much nicer.

Yammy! Uji Matcha, Azuki (sweet beans) and condensed milk. The flake grace was melting, once put in the mouse, subtle impression and melt smoothly. I never eaten such nice Kakigoori!