Tateyama to Matsumoto - July 2002

Nick was just finishing his 2-year stint in Hamatonbetsu, Northern Hokkaido, on the JET program, so it seemed an ideal chance to meet up to do a walk high on my list of "must-do's", the route from Tateyama to Kamikochi via Yarigadake. His travel plans, home via the Trans Siberian Railway, dictated that we do the walk in July, which was undoubtedly not the best time as the temperature and humidity were both very high. Added to this I suffered damage to my right knee during the first day's walking, which limited what I could do! Consequently we had to change our plans and the Tateyama-Kamikochi walk remains on my "must-do" list.

We met up at Toyama airport, Nick having stayed the previous night in Toyama itself and left things there that he did not need for the walk. Rather than go into Toyama City to get the train, we took a taxi direct from the airport to Tateyama Station. Here we bought our tickets for the cablecar ride to Bijoudaira, and the bus trip up the plateau to Murodo. There were many hikers on the bus, and the bus company has long since learned that it is a nice little earner to charge additionally for ruck sacks.

At Tateyama Bus centre, with Nick sporting his "Hokkaido-style" beard

after 2 years in the remote town of Hamatonbetsu

Ready to board the bus at Bijoudaira

Up through the forest towards Murodo

Ready for "Off" at Muodo

The route zig-zags up "Raichozawa" towards Mt. Tsurugi

Crossing a stream on the way to Raichozawa

Looking back towards Murodo

Raicho

The campground, below Mt. Tsurugi, near Tsurugizawa Goya.

First aid centre next to the campground

Home for the duration

Ridge on the approach to Mt Tsurugi, above Kenzanso Lodge

Mae Tsurugi, 2,813 m, viewed from Ippuku-Tsurugi

View towards Tsurugisawa, with Kenzanso Lodge bottom right

View from Ippuku Tsurugi looking across the valley

Mt. Tsurugi gets closer

Alpine Flower

At Kenzanso Lodge

Heading back to Murodo

Nick at Jugokudani

Heading back to Murodo

Trolley bus, Murodo to Daikanbo

Ropeway, Daikanbo to Kurobedaira

Cablecar from Kurobedaira to Kurobeko

Kurobe Dam

Train from Omachi to Matsumoto

Matsumoto Castle