Mt. Ibuki Hiking

Mt. Ibuki is a bald turtle-shell shaped peak located near the city of Maibara on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest fresh water lake.　It was my first hiking experience in Japan, though the weather was bad and the sky is cloudy it doesn`t stop us to climb the mountain. From Nagoya we took JR Tokai line bound for Ogaki and get off at Omi-nagaoka then we change to a bus bound for Ibukiyamatozanguchi.

The hike: From the bus stop, we walk up the road past the shrine, through the trail leading into the forest. The trail starts off steep for the first 20 minutes or so, and then flattens out as you approach the top of the first ski lift. There are lots of run down buildings here that function as restaurants and ski rental shops during the short ski season. There’s a public toilet a short distance up the ski field, which is open all-year round. The water in the sink is safe to drink, and it’s your last chance for water before the summit. This is where the real hike begins, as the trail heads straight up through the resort. After about and hour of steep climbing, we reached the mid-point of the ski resort (and the top of the gondola). We took a quick break, because we still got over 600 vertical meters to climb before reaching the summit plateau. At first the hiking is quite gentle to the end of the ski lifts, where you’ll reach a hut selling refreshments. This is the 5th station (五合目). A little further up, you’ll find an immaculate emergency hut at the 6th station (六合目), which is free to stay in (but has no toilet or drinking water). From here until the top, it’s a series of never-ending switchbacks, but it really is enjoyable if the weather cooperates. You’ll have a panoramic view of Lake Biwa, and the views keep opening up as you get higher and higher. After a seemingly endless ascent, we finally come to the summit plateau, but a bit disappointed because the clouds spoil the view from the top but indeed it was an accomplishment for me to have reached the summit. There are shops and canteen at the summit so after our 3 hour hiking we ate lunch. It started raining, instead of heading back the same way we decided to take the bus at the parking lot which is 20 minutes from the summit. Anyway, if the weather is clear then you can forget about all of the ugly buildings and enjoy one of the greatest panoramic views in Japan! (No lie). All of Lake Biwa stretches out to the west, as Hakusan dominates the northern horizon. The endless stretch of the Japan Alps are visible to the east, and the skyscrapers of Nagoya glitter to the southeast. Due south, the rolling sea of mountain ranges in Mie Prefecture majestically overlap themselves.

Enjoying Paraglyding

Sun shines so bright, Saturday morning, a perfect weather for our paraglyding activity. My friend pick me up at the house around 7:15 then we headed to Skytry headquarters in Okazaki. At exactly 8:00 AM we leave the office to go to Gamagori, Tahara or Toyohashi. Since the wind is good in Toyohashi as they say, we drive all the way to Toyohashi. After an hour drive we have reached Takatsuka, the place has an elevation of 70m or more, the area is close to the Pacific coast facing the sea. As we reached the top the instructors started to put out all the gears and gadgets we will use for our flight simulation. My friend Chiyo was the first to take off, the instructor put on her safety gear then instruct her what to do, then all I know Chiyo had already take off. I am not afraid of heights so when it`s my turn I am still calm but when I already jumped the clip I freaked out. It`s like a suicidal attempt. We started to fly and I was really amazed. The view is awesome, it`s a great feeling to feel the wind on your face, flying together with the birds. It`s the longest 1 hour of my life and it`s an experience worth trying for.

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Yokohama for the 2nd time around

My friend was very eager to meet his girlfriend in Yokohama, since it will be his first time to go there, he asked me if I could come with him and make me his guide. This will be my 2nd time to visit Yokohama so, I barely knew the place.

Yokohama is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kanto region of the main island of Honshu.

Going there we decided to take the Highway bus because it`s cheaper. We leave Okazaki around 7 am and take the bus in Nagoya around 8:30. Spending 6 hours at the bus does not even bored me. We have reached Shinjuku around 2 pm and take a 20 mins. train ride to Yokohama. We directly went to our hostel, A Silk Tree Yokohama located in Ishikawa Cho.

Last time we went to Yokohama we tour the city by bicycle, so with another friend we decided to rent a bicycle. We will only stay in Yokohama for a day, since we have no time, I took my friend in Minato Mirai 21, it`s good to see it at night. It`s a good thing to roam around with a bicycle. We went to World Porters for dinner, went to Cosmo world, ride the largest Ferris wheel n the world, watch a street performance at Queen`s Square Yokohama. For the 2nd time around, staying in Yokohama for just a day still don`t satisfy me, but made me want to explore for more...

Chillin at the Beach

I am always looking forward for OBON yasumi or Summer holiday. This year Obon was held from August 8-16. Last 2 obon seasons I travelled back home in the Philippines, but this year I decided to stay and enjoy my vacation here in Japan. In Japanese practice obon is a time to remember ones own ancestors as well as the dead in general, in short it was like All Saints Day and All Souls Day in Roman Catholic calendar. As for my yasumi, I reserved my first 3 days holiday for my part time jobs, Then do some household stuffs like cleaning and so on. My family decided to go to the beach just to chill, I forgot the name of the place where we went but I think it is in Nishio just near Okazaki. Here in Japan we only get the chance to go to the sea once or twice a year so my cousin Arisa was looking forward for it, in fact, she`s the one who woke me up early in the morning that day. The place we went is not so crowded, we built our own tent, arrange the table and the seats for our relaxation. Though, it`s hot as usual, I felt relaxed because of the wind blowing softly. We had onigiri (Japanese rice balls), packed lunch, chicken, snacks and refreshments. I had a great time swimming in the sea, sleeping at the tent, enjoying the view and taking pictures. So, here are the pictures I have taken at the beach....

People were swimming towards the raft for a dive experience

Ouch! it hurts, my aunt with Arisa

Ayumi with his name written on the sand

Arisa taking a pose with her name on the sand

And me...

Cute kid enjoying the sand

Smile... me and Arisa

Arisa`s rubber clogs
People at the beach

Okazaki Summer Festival Part 1 2009

This year Okazaki`s biggest festival was held on July 31-August 1. Since it`s my first time to witness Okazaki`s summer festival, I manage to attend the festivities, despite the bad weather condition. The festivities start with the Yosakoi and the Gomangoku Odori dances and Gomangoku Mikoshi (portable shrine) parade. A lot of people dress in kimonos and colorful costumes and parade through the streets. Parade participants will march east along Tenma Dori. The Yosakoi dances started at 17:05 then followed by the Gomangoku Odori dances at 17:50; floats at 19:10 and Gomangoku Mikoshi parade at 19:20 and concluded with a Samba parade from 20:30. Aside from the parade, stage performances at Kagoda Park from 17:40 to 18:25 and again form 19:25 to 20:10 was held. We spent most of our time watching the performances in Kagoda park then shift to the parade to watch the samba performances. It`s a good thing that the rain never fell during the festivals activity.

The ceremonial opening parade

The orchestra at the portable shrine

The lanterns at the street

Again, the lanterns that lit the street

The parade performances

Again at the parade

The audience at the Kagoda park

The performers at Kagoda Park

This is the Samba performance: