Brompton Ride & Hike to Mt. Tohnodake 1491m

In order to escape from terrible heatwave in summer, I tend to go anywhere well beyond 1000m in its elevation in the past weeks. Today's destination, Mt. Tohnodake, is located in Tanzawa Mountains and popular for its spectacular view with Mt. Fuji and other high mountains around it. 

Brompton Ride and Hike to the top of Mt. Mihara, huge, active volcano near Tokyo.

Brompton hill climbing ride to the trailhead and, leaving Brompton there, trekking walk to the top of Mt. Mihara, one of the world's largest active volcano which locates on Oshima Island only 100 km from central Tokyo.

When I reached the top just beside the huge crater, the view was spectacular and solemn. It was a fantastically fine day, no cloud, no wind at all, and exceptionally warm in Winter. I was lucky. Mt. Fuji was seen from the top of the island.

It was difinetely the best RIDE & HIKE ever for me and my Brompton.

CYCLE AROUND JAPAN

CYCLE AROUND JAPAN - TV | NHK WORLD-JAPAN Live & ProgramsCome ride with us! Bicycle through the scenery of Japan, stay with locals and discover hidden traditions in a Japan you didn't know existed.www3.nhk.or.jp

Do you know CYCLE AROUND JAPAN? The movie program offered by NHK (Japan's national broadcasting station) proposes a journey in Japan to enjoy the adventure on a bike.

The latest clip was from Iwate, Northern part of Japan.

Selfie Ride in Iwate - A Home Away From Home

CYCLE AROUND JAPAN 49m 00s

Broadcast on January 15, 2022 Available until January 15, 2023

Selfie Ride in Iwate - A Home Away From Home - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN On DemandJames Hobbs, living in Japan for 30 years, teaches at a medical university in Iwate Prefecture. He takes us along on some hard weekend training with cycling friends and on a campin…www3.nhk.or.jp

In the program, cyclists visited Karuizawa, Matsumoto Castle, Otari Hot Spring, and Shibu Pass, one of the highest elevations of the roads in Japan. I have been in all those places with my Brompton. They are all wonderful destinations to go!


Matsumoto Castle

Three Bromptons reached the Shibu Pass of 2172 meter high

A church in Karuizawa

Otari Hot Spring Yamada Ryokan (bath tub)

Brompton hill climb: Ubayu Hot Spring in Yamagata Prefecture

Last Sunday I climbed up toward the end of the mountain trail in another part of Azuma Mountain Range located over Northeast Japan to enjoy hot spring which has cured local people for 500 years.  The name of the hot spring is "Ubayu Onsen". Ubayu's Uba means a mountain witch and Yu means hot spring. 

The hill climb ride is supposed to be  8.45 km in distance and 527 meters to ascend.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/7516310950

Early in the morning I took a bullet train from Tokyo to Fukushima Station to change to a local railway running through mountain range between Fukushima Prefecture and Yamagata prefecture.

Local railway line starts at Fukushima station to go through a dozen of tunnels and bridges in the deep mountain range.

Finally arriving in Toge Station. The name "Toge" literary means "Mountain Pass" in Japanese. Very simple name because the station is located just on the Pass. The station was built in the age of steam for switch-backs to tackle one of Japan's toughest climbing railway routes; even after electrification for a while (now the yamagata Shinkansen and local trains run without switch-backs.)

Brompton and I started from Toge Station. The trail continues narrow and steep but I can enjoy such a view everywhere.

The trees provide shades all the way through Ubayu hot spring.

The slope is getting steeper grade in the last half way to the destination.

Still 2 kilo meters to go.

Experiencing extra steep slope of 22%.

Even a wagon vehicle struggles at one of the sharp bends with extreme slope.

Suddenly the valley of the hot spring appears in my sight. Famous Ubayu hot spring comes from that half-cup crater.

Upon arrival, I checked in at Ubayu Hot Spring Inn for bathing. It only costs 600 Japanese yen. (approx. 5 US dollars)

What fresh hot water it is!

The location is dynamic. It is surrounded by a trace of large scale volcanic eruption of 15,000 years ago. Volcano is still active. Hot water gushes out from the naked mountain surface. The hot spring is bluish white and smells like sulfur. 

Lying on the shallows of this hot spring pool and looking up a volcanic crater. It's nice and healing.

It was a great day in fall after hard hill climb ride with Brompton to be soaked and healed in the best "hidden bath" ever.

 

Escape The City And Explore

Let's escape the city and explore. Brompton brings you to adventures which you have never experienced.

I post some of my adventures with Brompton, exploring Japanese high mountains and being dipped in wonderful hot springs in the great nature.

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Brompton Peak Hunting and Hot Spring - Mt. Hakuba Norikura 2,469 m
Brompton S2L and I went over a part of the ridge of the Japanese North Alps, the highest mountain range in Japan with those around 2,000 - 3,000 meter peak elevations, to dip in the Renge Onsen, a mountain hot spring with the best panoramic view located in another side of the mountain.

Adventure for your own wild hot spring - Yumata Hot Spring
Brompton and I went to Yumata Onsen, definitely the most secluded hot springs located deep in the Takase Valley.

Mt. Nasu - Beautiful Snow Mountain with Brompton
Brompton and I went for a snow ride to Mt. Nasu. In order to secure the ride on snow-covered road, Brompton was equipped with a pair of 16-inch stud tires.

Kamikochi - Great Old Route Via Tokugo Pass

Brompton and I  traced the Grand Old Route to Kamikochi.

Mount Gongen, A Paradise of Trail Ride - Mt Gongen 1,312 m
Brompton and I climbed Mt. Gongen up to watch over Mt. Fuji with a snow cap.

Let's go to Nakabusa Hot Spring for a snow ride and downhill
I went to Nakabusa Hot Spring for a snow hill climb with Brompton equipped with a pair of 16-inch stud tires.

A hot spring experience deep in the mountain - Akayu Hot Spring
Brompton and I went to Akayu Onsen which is located deep in the Kiyotsu River.

Bromptons went to the best Island hot springs ever in the world
Bromptons went to the best island onsen located in the Shikine-jima Island. The setting of this onsen couldn’t be more dramatic: it’s located in a rocky cleft in the seashore of the tiny island Shikine-jima. The hot spring pools are formed by the seaside rocks all in nature. It only works when the tide is right.

Hot spring experience after a volcanic mount trail ride - Mt. Adatara 1,699 m
Brompton and I went to Kurogane Onsen where the fresh hot spring is gushing out from the ground of Mount Adatara, an active volcano located in Fukushima Prefecture.

Akiyamago, the most secluded mountain village in Japan

Brompton and I went to Akiyamago, one of the most isolated mountain villages in Japan and located deep to the end of the Nakatsugawa Valley.

Bromptons go to Great Victorian Rail Trail - First day

Last weekend three Bromptons ran through the Great Victorian Rail Trail which follows a trace of the old Goulburn Valley Railway track branching from Tallarook. Mansfield where the trail ends is 121 km away.

The three Bromptons assembled at Tallarook Station where the Great Victorian Rail Trail started.

Our goal today is Molesworth where is 58 km away from the station.

[Data]
1st day
From Tallarook Station to Molesworth
Distance 58.4km (one way)
Maximum difference in elevation 149m
Average % of slope ascent 2.1% descent 2.0%

Acquired elevation ascent 333m descent 327m

The trail continues with mild slopes ascending and descending.

I met the beautiful horse again. She likes Brompton and always bites a handle grip. I beg you to stop eating. 

Passing dozen of excavations on the old railway, we are approaching Yea.

Arriving old Yea Station.

Yea is a small but lovely town in the mid of the Goulburn Valley.

After a short break, we continued to ride.

After half an hour, we reached famous Cheviot Tunnel which was built in 1891.

Molesworth is not far from the tunnel. 

(to continue to the second day)

Wilsons Promontory 2nd day. Let's go to South Point.

(previous article: Wilsons Promontory 1st day)

When I waked up in Lighthouse accommodation on the second day, it was lovely weather with blue sky.

At 8 o'clock in the morning, we assembled to climb the lighthouse up.

Though the tower was only 19 meters high, a 90-meter elevation of the cliff contributes to its focal height of 117 meters. The participants of the lighthouse tour enjoyed the 360-degree view from the top.

I left the lighthouse around 8:30. South Point was 8.7 km away from here. I hurried there via Roaring Meg.

In the middle of the way, I took the walking track to Roaring Meg instead of vehicle track which I walked yesterday.

2 hours later I arrived at South Point. There is nothing special or remarkable here, but it is truly the southmost point of Australian Continent and it seems very popular place for Australian people. I met a lot of people on the way to South Point and back to Roaring Meg. 

Once getting back to Roaring Meg, I departed for Telegraph junction.

I took a different way back to Tidal River as I wanted to see beautiful beaches of Oberon Bay and Little Oberon. 

Oberon bay has a longer-than-5 km beach line. What a beautiful beach it is!

Looking over Oberon Bay from the trail.

A lot of couples and families enjoyed Proms walking.

Little Oberon is located over a small cape from Oberon Bay. It is secluded and beautiful! 

Finally arriving in Tidal River camping ground. It took about 7 hours including break time.

Though I was tired a little, it was a wonderful journey to one of the extreme point.

(end)