Hiking in the Suma Alps

Similar to the last post I wrote, this one is also about Golden Week.  My Japanese teacher had told me about a mountain (or couple mountains as it was) that she was interested in going hiking on, and since she knew I have an interest in hiking, she invited me to go together. Of course I agreed.

We started our hike at Sumaura-koen (there's actually a cable car of sorts that goes there, but not necessary for us). That particular park has some children's amusement things going on, but that was not why we were there.  Although we did go up onto a couple viewing platforms for some pictures of the view out towards the ocean.

Looking down at Suma Beach

Looking towards Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

So pretty! I walked on that path down by the train tracks once!
(See my "Seaside Trail" post)

After that, we continued on our hike up a bit more, before descending down the mountain again to a little town in the valley between a couple mountains.

This was at the peak of the first mountain

Just before going down the mountain into the town

We had to take a bit of a walk through some of the town (maybe 5-10 minutes), before we arrived at the base of the next mountain that we were going to go up.  So many stairs. Stairs and stairs and stairs. I think I kind of prefer going up trails rather than stairs (although I may have changed my opinion about that later on the day...but that's getting ahead of myself...).

Going up the stairs we could see the mountain we already climbed and descended from (See the trail going down the mountain on the right side of the picture?) 

Some nice views from the stairs

After going up the stairs, we had a bit more of a walk through the forest (avoiding the masses of mildly toxic caterpillars that were EVERYWHERE!) Eventually we got to an area called "uma no se" which translates to the horse's back. This was a rather narrow ridge of rocks connecting two peaks with rather steep drops down either side. To get to it, you have to (as my Japanese teacher called it...) "rock slide" down a few rocks while holding onto a chain. Then, you pick your way across as you try not to get blown off by the strong winds that whip between the mountains, and then you kind of rock climb up between the rocks on the rock face before getting back to the actual path. Let me tell you, I was not expecting this.  Not my typical hiking style.  It was fun but that one section may make some slightly anxious.  I survived it though! How else could I write this post? After getting by that obstacle, you continue up a bit more to the peak, and then eventually make your way back down the mountain again, and it's over before you know it.

The "rock sliding" area 

Looking back up at the "rock sliding" section

This is the "uma no se" area

Doesn't look so bad, right? But can you see the people? Bigger than it looks...

View from the ridge 

Before going onto the uma no se, there were a few more stairs to go down 

No stairs here. Climb!

Goodbye, ridge!

Going down the mountain, trying to avoid toxic caterpillars, tree roots and tripping over my own feet

Mt. Wakakusa

During Golden Week, I went to Mt. Wakakusa in Nara together with a couple of friends. It was the first time I'd been to that part of Nara before. In the past, I had seen it from some gardens in Nara (It looks like a big green grassy hill), but I never went up there, so when my friends suggested going there, how could I not?

To get there you have to go behind the Kasuga Taisha shrine, and walk for a bit.

Just outside the entrance to Mt. Wakakusa

Once you get to the hill, there are two gates that you can go into, but you have to pay 150¥ to get in.  Interestingly when you get inside there was a sign that very clearly told you that it was against the rules to roll down the hill...they must have had problems with that? And also no playing on the playground. Who is it for then? I wish I had taken a picture of it.  Anyway...There are two paths you can choose to go up, the north or the south. I believe we went up the south side and came back down the north side. It's only 342m high, so it doesn't take too long to get up to the top.  Part way up, there is a small building where you can buy some snacks and drinks, and there are a couple benches where you can sit and look out at the view of Nara.  We spent some time there taking pictures and eating a bit.  There were only 2 deer in this area, probably because it was rather warm and there weren't many shaded areas for them.

Some views from the first stop

After that, we continued to walk up. Along the way, we saw a few more deer.

One of my friends kept taking pictures of me...

You can see the Todaiji Temple building here (where the giant Buddha is)

"What do you want? Do you have food for me?"

"Stop taking pictures and let me eat..."

In the uppermost area, there were some nice views again, as well as more deer than lower down (more trees and shade). One of my friends was kind of disappointed because he wanted pictures of the view with deer in it.  So I got some deer senbei (crackers for the deer) and tried to lead them to the area he wanted them in. At first it was kind of difficult but I eventually figured out it was easier to leave them pieces on the ground and then get out of the way so they could take their pictures.  It seemed to work alright, although before I figured that out, I got in the way of quite a few of their pictures.

At the top

After spending a bit more time up top, we headed back down for a more substantial late lunch before returning back to Kobe, where we ended up going bowling (I can't remember the last time I did that!) and went for dinner.  It was a good day, and so nice to spend time with those friends!

The way down