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.
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| Looking down at Suma Beach |
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| Looking towards Akashi Kaikyo Bridge |
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.
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| This was at the peak of the first mountain |
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| 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...).
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| 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?) |
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| 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.
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| The "rock sliding" area |
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| Looking back up at the "rock sliding" section |
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| This is the "uma no se" area |
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| Doesn't look so bad, right? But can you see the people? Bigger than it looks... |
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| View from the ridge |
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| Before going onto the uma no se, there were a few more stairs to go down |
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| No stairs here. Climb! |
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| Goodbye, ridge! |
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| Going down the mountain, trying to avoid toxic caterpillars, tree roots and tripping over my own feet |
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