Japan
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
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