Hello! from Japan

About Japan and music

Takayama

Visit Mt.Norikura, an excellent hiking place in Japan!

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Hi, how’s eveything?
We just had a terrible typhoon a few days ago. 

It didn’t hit Takayama, the area where I live now, but a lot of places in Nagano have damaged seriously. 
I hope nothing bad will happen this year any more… 

Beautiful view at Mt. Norikura

Last month I climbed Mt. Norikura, which is 3,026m meters above sea level and is one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains. 
It was my first time to get there and I really enjoyed my trip so I would like to share about it here. 

To get there, it is the best to take a bus.
Private cars are not allowed in the area.
Bus goes to a station at 2,702 meters above sea level (which is the highest bus stop in Japan).
You can use Nohi bus from Takayama, Hirayu, or Honoki-daira(takes about 90min, 60min, 45min respectively).

From the bus station, you can choose to climb different areas as shown on the map below. 

Map is provided by Norikura Natural Environment Guide Center,
Hida Norikura Tourism Association

To its highest peak, Mt.Kegamine, it takes about 90 min on foot. 
Although you could wear casual clothes and shoes, you are strongly advised to wear climbing shoes as the way to get there is really steep and can be slippery if it rains. 

This is the way to the highest peak of Mt. Norikura

You can enjoy watching beautiful ponds, flowers, and wild life such as Ptarmigans in Mt.Norikura.

A pond in Norikura

From mid-July to mid-September, you can take early morning bus to see the sunrise, and Norikura is particularly popular during September to October when visitors can enjoy beautiful Autumn leaves. 

Norikura in Autumn

If you are planning to visit Mt. Norikura this year, you need to be hurry because it will be closed at the end of Oct. The opening day is on May 15th every year.

Mt. Norikura is a perfect place to hike in Japan! 
Enjoy visiting there and taking pictures of beautiful nature. 

See you next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my album below.

Shirakawa go and Hida furukawa: 2 beautiful places near Takayama

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I wrote about the areas near Takayama in Gifu prefecture this time!Shirakawa go and Hida Furukawa are very popular places for tourists these days.People all over the world(especially from Europe) come visit to enjoy historical places. These places are great for taking pictures and feel traditional Japan!

1.Shirakawa go

In the north part of Gifu, there’s an old village called Shirakwa-go.Forest area covers 95% it, and most of the nature around it has been undisturbed for ages. It snows a lot in winter there, so the iconic Gassho style houses (wooden houses with steeply sloped thatched roofs) were built. In 1995, Shirakawa-go was registered as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then, it has been one of the most popular places for tourist visiting Japan. In January and February, night illumination events take place. It is particularly beautiful during the winter, seeing the houses covered in snow with illumination.


2.Hida Furukawa

Thanks to the big hit of the anime “Your Name”(some of the scenes are based on this place), Hida Furukawa is gaining popularity among anime fans all over the world.It is a small town near Takayama city. It is smaller and also quieter than Takayama and just like other areas in Gifu, old wooden houses are well preserved. Furukawa festival is held on April 19th and 20th.Festival floats are displayed from 6:00am and traditional drum performance takes place in the evening of the 19th.Santera-mairi(pilgrimage of three temples in the area) is held on January 15th. During Sandera-mairi, about 1,000 Japanese candles are lined up near the river.
Thousands of Koi fishes are swimming in the rivers of Hida Furukawa, and it is a perfect place to enjoy the scenery and beautiful traditional architecture of Japan.

Access

・Shirakawa-go

From Takayama to Shirakawa-go

Travel Time: About an hour
Price: 2,470yen (One way) 4,420yen (Round-trip)
Bus ticket reservation/Bus Schedule: Nohi Bus

・Hida Furukawa

From Takayama to Hida Furukawa

<By Train>
Travel Time: About 20min
Price: 240yen (One way)

<By Bus>
Travel Time: About one hour
Price: 370yen (One way)
Bus ticket reservation/Bus Schedule: Nohi Bus

What are traditional houses/areas in your country like?
See you next time!
Taka

※I’m a professional composer. My songs are available here: Skyhigh 
Or, you can click on the band camp link below to listen.

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!