Matsumoto-jō (Matsumoto Castle)

Matsumoto-jō is Japan's oldest castle and one of four castles designated National Treasures. If you come to Tokyo, Matsumoto is relatively easy to approach by train.

It takes just 10 minutes from Matsumoto Station by Brompton.

If you visit the castle in winter, you can have this view early in the morning.

It is common among Japanese that tasty spring water comes out everywhere in Matsumoto.

Wada Cycle, a Brompton expert shop in Tokyo

Wada Cycle is an expert of small wheel bikes. If you face any trouble or need repair of your Brompton, why do not visit Wada. The mechanics (including Wada-san, shop owner) will take care of your Brompton.

Wada Cycle
Business hour: 13:00～21:00
Address: 4－1－1, Momoi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3399-3741
Holiday: tuesday and wednesday
http://wadacycle.jp/

Pizza Campagna

Summer comes. Brompton and I need to go to Kururi for a piece of tasty pizza.

FromTokyo, use JR Sobu line to Chiba and transfer to Uchibo line to Kisarazu. Then take Kururi-line to the end of the line, Kazusa-Kameyama Station.

[Data]
Route: JR Kururi line Kazusa Kameyama Station→Kameyama Lake→Campagna→Kururi Station→Higashi Yokota Station
Distance: 37.3km
Maximum difference in elevation: 148m
Average inclination: total -0.2%　ascent 3.6%　descent 3.3%
Gained elevation: ascent 322m　descent 395m

http://latlonglab.yahoo.co.jp/route/watch?id=cff3e889f41134a2d233608950f0db89

Kazusa Kameyama Station.

Rice field in summer.

Arriving at Pizza Campagna.

Quattro Formaggi, wonderful taste.

Mura-no Pizza-ya Campagna
Matsugaoka, Kimitsu City
Chiba Prefecture
phone 0439-29-2373

Brompton Japanese Championship 2013 in Makuhari

I participated in Brompton Japanese Championship (BJC) 2013 in Makuhari.

At the opening ceremony, all the participants roared!

Takaosan

Takaosan, or Mt. Takao, is a mountain with an elevation of 599 meters. It is only an hour away from Shinjuku, so it's a very popular place for local people in Tokyo. The 2007 edition of Michelin’s Voyager Pratique Japon, the famous French travel guidebook, awarded Mt. Takao and Mt. Fuji the maximum of three stars.

[Transportation examples]
From Shibuya to Takaosan
Keio Inogashira line: Shibuya 08:21- Meidaimae 08:31
Keio line: Meidaimae 08:35 - Takaosan guchi 09:25
381 yen (IC)

From Shinjuku to Takaosan
Keio line: Keio Shinjuku 08:29 - Takaosan guchi 09:25
381 yen (IC)
http://www.takaotozan.co.jp/takaotozan_eng1/index2.htm

Some day in winter, I went to Takaosan.

You can use a cable car to the middle of Takaosan.

It is Tako Sugi, a famous big tree.

Arrived at the gate of Takaosan Yakuouin.

This temple is believed to have been built in 744 by Saint Gyoki. The temple is one of the three head quarters of the Shingon Chizan school Bhuddism with Naritasan and Kawasakidaishi. I saw a lot of foreigners here. Takaosan is very popular among foreign travelers because of Michelin Guide.

A second building.

A staircase still continues to the summit. However I stopped here today because I did not expect to observe Mt. Fuji from the peak.

You can see Mount Fuji from the peak if you are lucky with blue sky. (the photo was taken on another day in summer.)

Kamuiwakka Hot Waterfall

Shiretoko is a special place even for Japanese.

Shiretoko means 'end of the earth' in Ainu language. Because of this rich and beautiful nature, Shiretoko is UNESCO's World Heritage site.

Do you know Kamuiwakka Hot Waterfall? It is waterfall but at the same time hot spring!

Kamuiwakka Hot Waterfall is a hot spring river coming out from Iwo Mountain located in the mid of Shiretoko Peninslar. Watching from the sea, you can see the valley dividing the Iwo Mountaint from the summit to sea shore.

If you get closer,...

The last (hot) waterfall is dropping directly into the sea.

Then, let's go to a trail through a forest. You may meet a wild fox if you are lucky.

I was lucky...

Arrived at Kamuiwakka. Starting to climb the waterfall.

Arrived in one of the fall pods. Temprature was very nice, about 36-40 degree centigrate.

A waterfall trip ended up here. It used to be one of Japan's ultimate hot spring destinations. However, the upper part beyond the point, most spectacular section of the river, has been closed to the public due to the danger of falling rocks.









It's really a secret place where you can visit only during a short summer. The forest path only opens from late June to October because of weather. Only permitted car can enter during high season. However, any time it's open to Brompton and other bikes.

Shuttle Bus Shiretoko Goko Parking → Kamuiwakka
Distance:　10.6km
Maximum difference of an elevation:　119m
Average inclination:　total 0%　ascent 4.9%　descent 4.1%
Gained elevation:　ascent 178m　descent 176m
http://latlonglab.yahoo.co.jp/route/watch?id=55271e0641be704e9a1e9bff0ff5f6c3

Shiretoko National Park Nature Center
http://center.shiretoko.or.jp/en/

Trip Advisor: Kamui Wakka no Taki Falls
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1120888-d1384206-Reviews-Kamui_Wakka_no_Taki_Falls-Shari_cho_Shari_gun_Hokkaido.html