If I’m on foot or bicycle, chances are I’ll go round barriers like this one. In recent weeks, barriers across trails all over the Twin Cities have become a fact of life. Flooding and fallen trees have made walking and cycling more interesting. That got me thinking about a hike back in April on Sado…… Continue reading Ignoring Barriers
Category: East Asia
Cheap Flight to Japan
Got up early to book flights from southern Japan when they opened up today. Round-trip: 70,000 frequent flyer miles.
Traveling with Cherry Blossoms
It could be another week before the buds on our apple tree explode; spring blossoms come late in Minneapolis. Back in March, I hiked up Kaimondake, a volcano in southern Japan for a day with Cecilia, a twenty-something from Sweden. She was traveling with the cherry blossoms, through Japan, from south to north. She would end…… Continue reading Traveling with Cherry Blossoms
End of the Line
I’m on a fast train when I see a single train track peeling off into the distance. I want to go where that track is going. Maybe the end of that single track is a remote place I can use as the start of an “Ekikhara hike,” a hike from a train station. Beyond the…… Continue reading End of the Line
End of the Line
Now at Tokyo-Narita, NRT. Posted about the end of the line and what’s beyond.
En Route to NRT
Friday, 8:00 a.m. Bullet train, Nagano to Tokyo. I’ll walk around Ueno Park, then continue to NRT (Tokyo-Narita).
Unimpressed Snow Monkeys
Thursday: Went for a hike and saw snow monkeys in the wild. They saw me, but seemed completely unperturbed.
Plain Views of Sado Island
Rice Field #1 Today, I explored part of the plain that bisects Sado Island (an island in the Sea of Japan, off northern Honshu, Japan). Walking on level ground gave my knees a rest after walking up a mountain the previous day. Beyond wanting to be in the countryside, I didn’t have a specific plan.…… Continue reading Plain Views of Sado Island
Nagano
Wednesday evening: After taking a hydrofoil and 2 bullet trains, now in Nagano for 2 nights, surrounded by mountains.
Bisecting Sado Island
Wednesday, explored part of the plain that bisects Sado Island.