Day 2: Morning
After checking out of the hotel we all boarded the bus and made about a 40 minute drive to Aburagi Birin. When we arrived we were divided into two groups and each group was assigned a local tour guide. We (Emi and I) were in group "B" and this was our guide. By-the-way, I noticed that both guides were carrying anti-bear spray!
This place is on the side of Mt. Ontake and these are Reijin-hi monuments. These monuments are all over the side of Mt. Ontake and as I understand it, if one has gets on of these monuments after they day their soul will return to Mt. Ontake.
Now, we are on the hiking trail to see a beautiful waterfall.
I think the average age of the members of our tour group is 72 years old. There must be magic in the air because we are marching through the forest like people half that age.
We cross bridges, we climb steps, we are always going up hill...
...we march forward in search of the waterfall.
And, at last we arrive! This is it. Because of the trees and the narrow trail this is about as good a view as one can get of the waterfall.
On the slippery narrow trail we pass by group "A" and head for a closer look at the waterfall.
Getting closer doesn't make the view any better, however the atmosphere is greatly enhanced.
Say hello to Emi! She enjoys being surrounded by the green trees and the sound of the water.
Well, we came, we saw and now we head back to the bus. As the magic wears off we return to our normal ages.
Next stop is small Michi-no-eki.
Nice place. While most people went to the small farmers market I went to the visitors center/museum.
The Mt. Ontake slide show was very interesting. Here are a few of the slides.
This is a picture of Mt. Ontake after a recent volcanic eruption!
Day 2: Afternoon
After lunch and a long drive up to a high altitude in the Yatsugatake mountains we arrived at our final destination of our Nagano nature walks tour.
Welcome to Shirakoma Pond and the Moss Forest.
This place is amazing!
The moss forest is incredible.
The trail is easy to walk and the scenery is something one needs to see to believe.
There is no way anyone will leave the trail to walk in the woods. It would be almost impossible walk in the moss forest.
The trail is well maintained. Simple walking shoes are good enough, hiking boots are not necessary.
We have arrived at Shirakoma pond.
Such a scenic place. Also, the weather is nice and cool.
It's time to start walking back to the bus.
Moss grows everywhere in the forest.
This place makes me happy, I can't stop smiling.
Other members of our group are ahead of us. We prefer to walk slowly and to enjoy the forest for as long as we can.
I decided to take one picture in black & white for the fun of it.
The afternoon sunlight started to change and it made the forest look more like a painting than a photograph.
So, we're back at the beginning of the trail. And, it's time to take pictures of each other before we get on the bus and start the long drive back to Yokosuka.
This is the visitors center and store in the parking lot. Next to it is a pay toilet; nobody pees for free around here! Anyway, I would love to return to Shirakoma Pond and the Moss Forest in the future. This is one of the nicest nature walks I've ever been on!
This was a great trip... except for the long (really long) ride home in heavy traffic!
Thanks for stopping by!
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