Yari Onsen, the best hot spring above the clouds.

Yesterday, I went to Yari Onsen, the hot spring above the clouds in order to look over the mountain ranges and the earth from the best open-air bath at an elevation of beyond 2,000 meters. Though the mountain path to Yari Onsen never accepts any bike due to its rocky trail and dangerous snow ravines still existing in summer, I decided to bring my Bromton and left it at the entrance of the trail for a quick return to Hakuba Station, the nearest station, to catch a train to Tokyo in the afternoon.

Yari Onsen Mountain Hut is located in the midst of Mt. Yari at an elevation of 2,100 meters.  During summer, climbers often drop by and stay in the hut for the peak hunt to Mt. Shirouma (2,932 m), Mt. Shakushi (2,812 m), and Mt. Yari (2,903 m). Its hot spring, gushing out from the earth more than 700 litters per minute, is famous for its curing effect, wild location and incomparable panorama from the bath. The hot spring also attracts a lot of hot spring lovers. I am one of them.


It was early in the morning yesterday. The 4-hour hike to the hot spring started from Sarukura Lodge, one of the base camps for mountain climbing around the area.

It took about 10 minutes on foot to reach the entrance of the trail. Today's day trip begins here.

It was very fine though a little bit misty in some parts of the mountains.

After 2-hour walk in the trail, the wonderful panorama of mountains and glaciers appeared in front of my eyes. In the center I found a hut on the small flat area on the edge where was the destination. 

Before reaching there, I needed to go across those glaciers and debris area with a risk of rockfall.

I needed to climb up some more hundred meters.

Suddenly Yari Onsen appeared. A lot of hot spring water was flowing down on the cliff.

Let's enjoy the best open air bath ever.

Natural hot water is gushing out from here. Very fresh. I can wash out my muscle fatigue.

Looking over the earth. What an exciting moment it is!

The best mountain hot spring ever!

After ascending, I went back to Hakuba Station by Brompton quickly to catch an express train bound for Sinjuku Station.

Water Melon Quest to Mt. Swallow

Yesterday I went to Tsubakuro Dake, the Mount Swallow, with an elevation of 2,767 meters. It was beautiful day and I was moved with pieces of fancy water melon and the spectacular observation from the top ridge of Mt. Swallow.

Long before I heard about the most delicious water melon in Japan. It was not about a story in a farm  village in a countryside or even fruit served in a luxury restaurant. That water melon is served and only experienced at a mountain lodge called "Kassen Goya", a war battle house. "Kassen Goya" is located on one of the ridges deep in the mountain path leading to the peak of Mt. Swallow. Because of such a reputation of extremely delicious water melons, it is said that hundreds of people risk to climb that mountain's steep mountain path with elevation difference of about 1000 meters during every summer season. I know a couple of wonderful water melons in Japan, one in Niigata Prefecture (Yairo Water Melon), another in Nagano Prefecture (Shimoppara Water melon). However I would like to try that extremely popular and delicious one. Let's go there!

Early in the morning, I arrived at Hodaka Station in Nagano prefecture. A little cloudy in the sky. Of course, with Brompton. 

Buses leave the station to Nakabusa Onsen where that mountain path starts. A bus was fully packed with climbers like this. No space any more. Probably it was because of recent popularity in mountain hiking but I wondered if a half of them wanted to eat that famous water melon. 

A bus was getting through a narrow cliff road toward the end of Nakabusa Valley. After about an hour the bus arrived. No more road for vehicles. Even Brompton can't. Its's time to use your own foot to go on. Water melons are waiting to be cut and eaten. 

There was already a line. How come those people hurry this early in the morning? Maybe water melon's attraction?

The mountain path was extremely steep. A lot of people needed to take a rest. Me? No, I continued to walk (run) toward slices of water melon.

In the middle of the way, suddenly beautiful scenery appeared in front of us. 

Weather is improving quickly.

Two and half hours later, I arrived at "Kassen Goya" at the elevation of 2,350 meters.

Look! People have rushed into the water melon vendor.

Water melons were floating and cooled for service.

 A lady quickly and skillfully cut and served slices of water melons to people in line.

I bought slices. What a wonderful and dreaming taste it was! 

After a water melon treatment, I decided to continue climbing to the ridge of over 2,700 meters to see another side of the mountain range called Japan North Alps. 15 minutes after departing Kassen Goya, "Enzanso" Lodge was seen from the mountain path. The lodge was located at the ridge of Mt. Swallow.

Beside the way, there are a lot of beautiful high land flowers blooming.

Finally reached the ridge.

See this wonderful view of Japan's Alps! You should come if you have an opportunity.

This is Mt. Swallow from Enzanso Lodge location. Are you able to see four, five climbers jumping and waving on the top of Mt. Swallow? (you can enlarge a picture with high resolution.)

Slices of water melon and this dynamic panorama made me so happy.

Then I descended the mountain quickly, picked up my Brompton and got a ride to one of the secret hot springs deep in the valley.

The hot spring was gushing out a lot here and quality is fresh, good smell and expected good curing effect on mustle fatigue.

 
It was a nice day trip in the weekend to fix my jet lag after coming back from the BWC in London last week.

BWC 2015 in London

On Saturday, August 1st, The10th Brompton World Championship race was held in Central London as part of the Prudential RideLondon Cycling Festival. More than 500 Bromptoneers gathered from all over the world and took a ride on a world famous route with iconic sights such as The Mall, St James’s Park and Horse Guards Parade. My Brompton S2L and I ran the route for the full throttle.

(source: Brompton Official Page)

Place each Brompton at a designated position.

Three, two, one, GO! All in sudden we ran to own bikes, unfolded, and started.

Hundreds of Brompton bikes rushed  on The Mall toward Buckingham Palace at high speed.

What a fun!

All the riders came back to the home straight, The Mall, and continued a ride until the fastest rider completed 17.2 km, eight laps, of the course. After 30 minutes and seven laps – a lap behind the fastest rider – the chequered flag is waved for me, and it’s over.

My record was better than expected.

More pleasure than myself was that my friend visiting from Japan got the third place among the female participants. Congratulation!

On this wonderful summer day, I was luckily able to be a part of BWC2015. It must be one of the best days for my Brompton life to memorize.

Related article:

BWC 2016 in London