Month: January 2024

  • Hikone, Omi-Hachiman

    Hikone, Omi-Hachiman

    I arrive in Hikone late in the morning to visit the castle, one of the 12 with a donjon still intact. It is also one of the 5 castles listed as National Treasures of Japan (the others being: Himeji, Matsue, Inuyama, and Matsumoto). It is located on Mount Konki and overlooks the city. Everyone walks…

  • Bunagatake

    Bunagatake

    +1250m / -1250m / 16km The sun is still behind the hills as I arrive at Hira Station to climb mount Bunagatake. It has been on my list for a while, and the weather forecast finally convinced me, even though it snowed last night. I got snow crampons yesterday, hoping not to need more (gaiters…