Mount Mitake

A mere two hour train ride outside of Tokyo, still in Tokyo Prefecture, here is what we saw as we walked from the train.

Thatched rooves and trails. The odd lone hiker or local.

5 minutes later.....This was the start of the trail to the river. 

So hot Dan! Thank goodness we had a cool river to jump in, with small pools to lounge in.

Surrounded by beauty.

Lots of wonderful birds. Here, a white Heron.

Quiet places to sit and reflect on nature.

A suspension bridge to a temple, and a church we didn't find but had seen up high from the highway.

This place made someone think about caring for family.

I had seen on a map that there was a stone monument on this river to honour Basho, an ancient poet.  The monument was further down stream than we could get, but in his honour I had brought with me the book of his poems that Imme gave me just before I left Creston.

With my soul enthralled

By the beauty of the scene,

And my heart pierced through

Thinking of those bards of yore.....     Basho late 1600's or Shelley early 2015

Before we were totally overcome with the beauty...Japanese civilized hiking provided a sake distillery for fortification and rest.

Some folks were finding lots of bouldering to do along the river. I'm sure it was extremely slippery.

Sarah and Helene we could bring you here!

Little bouldering and picnic scenes along the way.

We found our hotel when we walked up to the highway above the river at Mitake, just right there.  Pretty simple place BUT super people. One of whom, Izumi, invited us to go Kayaking with her in the rain the next morning at 7.

Is Izumi thinking ,"why am I doing this." 

  Thankfully Dan thought to tell her we'd never river Kayaked before. So Izumi took us to a slower part of the river.

It was speedy enough! We both had great fun, and both dumped out. Izumi was an amazing guide. She and her brother have competed and her brother was on the National team.

 When you lose your boat Izumi can flip it up from sitting in her boat,  and then skewer it in the cockpit with her boat tip and paddle it to shore while you drag yourself out.

Doesn't this look like toad rock! (Below)

Then after sharing a fabulous 7/11 breakfast, no kidding, great healthy eating takeout food there.

Rice wrapped with egg, rice with shrimp in a mushroom and cheese sauce, sushi, ..... Great coffee and a sake for Izumi.

Up the Mitake tram to midway up the mountain. Then stopped to appreciate Nelson Chocofeller. I have waited a month to eat this! 

Good hiking exercise all over this park. The crowd is quickly divided amongst the shops in the little town near the tram, the gazillion trails, river and waterfall play spots, and  restaurants.

Just when I was flagging a bit we found the old climber we'd been told about. He is an uber fit 70 something year old (take note Candace) who lost his dear climbing buddy about 5 years ago. He and his buddy climbed the Eiger together. There is a large monument on the mountain for his friend and this man has built a crazy little shack to sleep in and serve guests his favourite recipe for hot mulled wine. We were sweating plenty, but he says he waits until it actually gets hot out to serve chilled Sangria. What a great way to remember a dear friend, to toast him again and again. I can see it now a little hot mulled wine stand at "Bucky cabin."  Campi to all!