Private tour on 22th May

Because of the unusual storm yesterday, we had a very few hikers today. Ideal mountain walk, pleasant breeze, fresh green trees after the rain and a congenial company, what more do you wish for. We were greeted by gorgeous “Sekkoku” (Dendrobium)in full bloom at the cable car station. There was another pinkish one at the arrival. A GOOD START!

                                       
Our guests today know Japan quite well. They are Japanese American and come here twice a year. They even walked the Kumano Kodo Trail- 8 hours long hike. Probably most of our guides have never walked that world heritage pilgrimage road. They visited Bonsai garden in Saitama. Jody makes bonsai himself and bought a rhinestone container as a gift for himself.

In front of Iizunagongendo, Keita used his beautifully illustrated chart of Shinto and Buddhism and Shugendo syncretism.

At noon there were a lot of small children having lunch and playing near our usual resting place. At our secret hideout, all tables were open. We had a comfortable lunch, but at about the end of our meals, caterpillars here and there. More and more we noticed on the rucksack, on the shirt, on the pants and so forth. That’s right, we had the information of the recent outburst of Kiashidokuga caterpillars from our colleague. Time to leave.

On the trail No.4 Keita pointed out, Gaku-utsugi, Maruba-utsugi- white tree flowers along the way, and Ebine. We also noticed a lot of Yukinoshita and Shaga flowers on No.1 trail.

Jody kept rotating the wheel of perception stones every time he found one. Each time he got the sign, he was asked what it was by two ladies. Twice he got the “tongue” out of six senses. On that Patricia’s comment, you got it again “ Watch out your tongue.” He likes gardening and has all kinds of flowers and plants. He said, “ I like plants. They don’t talk back to you”

We were glad that Nancy could join us, because Patricia seemed to enjoy talking with Nancy all along the way. I’m sure they enjoyed each others company.

Thank you for good ice cream at 599 museum and a gift of GODIVA chocolate 

for each of us.   

With fond memory Ryo.

                                                                                    

                                                                                                            

Monthly regular tour 21st April, 2019 No.2

We had 12 guests today, who were divided into 2 groups, namely a group going up by the cable car and one climbing up on foot. This blog covers the climbing up on foot group, consisting of 7 guests and 3 TENGU guides (Shin, Keita and Kimie).

 We chose Trail No.6 to climb up because one of the guests said, “I would like to be healed by rich nature.”Indeed, Trail No.6 has rich nature such as many plants, animals, beautiful stream and a big waterfall.

We climbed up with twice short break then we arrived the summit.

 We went down Trail No.1 going through Yakuoin Temple. The 7 guests were very interested in Yakuouin Temple.

 We were so lucky to see inside of Buddhist Stupa because today was the day of the Spring Festival of Yakuoin Temple.

We used Chair Lift to go down and we said good bye in front of Kiyotaki station.

I want to see them again.　　　　　　　　　　(by Kimie)

Reiwa, New era’s first hiking tour welcomed by thunder and rain

On May 4^th, we held a hiking tour greeting 6 guests of JICA from Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, Tonga, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar. Other than that, a Japanese enrollment applicant. The weather was fine with a little bit cloud in the distance.

 We met up at Takaosan-guchi station around 9:30AM. Today, a lot of people were visiting Mt. Takao. This year the golden week vacation lasts 10 consecutive holidays from April 27 to May 7. Thanks to celebrating holidays of new era, Reiwa.

The Japanese calendar is based on the number of years the Emperor has been in the throne. Former Emperor stepped down at the end of April. From May 1, new Emperor ascended the throne. So, until the end of April was Heisei 31. From May 1 is Reiwa 1. Heisei era (1989~2019) lasted 30years.

The fresh air and green leaves made us comfortable. We took cable car for going half way up, then Trail no-1. At the Kasumi-dai observatory, we could see plural buildings in the direction of central Tokyo. Usually we can recognize the skyscrapers of Shinjyuku, but today spring haze disturbed it. On the way to the Yakuo-in temple, guiding some spots. We reached to the top before 1 pm, where were very crowed and spring mist also prevented to look at Mt.Fuji.

For going down we took Trail no-4, which is a narrow mountain path. Along it there is a suspension bridge.

On the way to Joushinmon-gate, sky was gradually changed into darkness, then we heard several loud thundering. Then there was also terrible rain.

Because of this sudden encounter of thunderstorm, the operation of cable car and chair-lift were suspended. We walked to the foot of Mt.Takao, arrived there around 15:30 safely.

Guests wished to get on the chair-lift but couldn’t. We always welcome you guiding next opportunities. We ended this tour with the memories of nature’s greatness and fury.   (Comson)