599.03m

Every so often I welcome a much needed husband and kid-free trip. Today me and my friend decided to go hike Mount Takao! We enjoyed 8 glorious hours away from base surrounded by fresh air, trees, and awesome food. We arrived at the base of Mt. Takao around noon, but decided we would hike up and take the cable car or lift down, since up is a little easier on the knees. Its a 3.8km hike from the bottom to the top. As we started our climb we realized this was no walk in the park! Even though the path is paved you are walking up the side of a mountain at about a 45* angle!

 
We saw everything from full official hiking attire to high heels and mini-skirts. There were also people of all ages! Pretty sure there were some 70-80year olds making the climb!

 

 
The first flat spot to rest at, you feel like you have hiked a ways until you realize you have only gone about 1km!

 

Selfie while climbing :)

 

 

 

 

Just some awesome sites along the way!

 

 We were both running out of steam and knew we needed food! Getting to the cable car station which is about half way up the mountain was as good as it got before the first "restaurant" called our name! This was one of those vending machine type places which lacked English on the buttons so it was a match the picture of the Japanese to the button. While I succeeded in ordering some delicious curry my friend accidentally ordered cold soba noodles instead of hot. Turned out good but I know she would have much preferred hot noodles to warm her up! Once we were refueled we pushed on and enjoyed a nice glance at Tokyo! Although it would have been way better had it been a clear day we still got a decent view of Tokyo, really would love to head up there on a super clear day to be able to see the bay and Mt. Fuji!

 
We didn't make it all to far before we came upon the Monkey Park and a Sake tent! Since I have lived here over a year I had yet to try Sake, well I can officially say that I drank Sake out of a wooden square cup while on a hike up a mountain! Although it is not my drink of choice it was still good and it allowed a rest brake to stare at the gorgeous Japanese Maples that were turning red. Then we paid the 400Yen to enter the "Monkey Park". We saw 0 wild monkeys on the journey so I guess paying the yen was worth it to see the crazy little guys.

 

 

 

 
We still had a ways to go to the Temple grounds and the summit so we pressed on. Now we may have been out in the woods but we were not alone! We decided to catch all shrines and temple grounds after we reached the top. Silly us forgot to grab a map at the bottom so we were relying on signs and maps posted, we were so determined to get to the summit that the one map we looked at that said Top led us down a path less traveled. We got to see a cave with a  shrine and then climb up on a non-paved route.

 

 

 

 

Gorgeous Fall Colors!

 

 

 

 

So Close!!!

 

WE MADE IT!!!! Feels good to say we hiked ALL the way up to 599.03m. 

 

After enjoying the view, didn't get to see Mt. Fuji, and devouring some ice cream cones we started back down. This time we stayed on the paved route. We even found a peace pole along the trail. We stopped to admire the shrines and temple grounds. Pictures do it no justice. The golds and reds mixed in with the trees and changing color were truly breath-taking. There is such a calm and peaceful feeling too. Its times like this though I wish I knew Japanese and understood more about Shinto and Buddhism. There will be many more pictures (I took over 150!) uploaded onto my Facebook!  

 

Peace Pole hidden amongst the trees

Takaosan Yakuoin Yukiji Temple

 

Shoes?

 

By one of the Shrines

 

The hills have eyes!

 

 

Around 3:30 they started packing away things around the temple so we decided to head back down the mountain. We planned on making a pit stop for another swig of Sake then take the lift down to the base. Well during our Sake break we met some very intoxicated older men, they had obviously been sitting near the Sake tent a little TOOO long... well they gave us some crackers kept trying to talk to us, even though they didn't speak English. We quickly finished our Sake and made tracks to the lift. Well we were soon stopped by the delicious smell of dumplings and chicken on a stick, of course we had to get a snack! We snacked while making our way to the lift only to walk about 3 min down the trail to see a line FOREVER long. We looked at each other and said what the heck lets just hike back down! So with one foot in front of the other we made our way down the mountain. Crazy how much faster going down takes. We walked 7.6km and I managed to escape with only 1 blister! Once we reached the bottom we indulged in yet another ice cream cone, *hey no judging we EARNED it* and made our way back to the trains to journey on home!

 

See that man being held up by his two buddies?

Those 3 were our intoxicated Sake "friends", well we caught two of them peeing off the trail when I thought I heard monkeys, nope just drunk old men sipping up their pants after peeing in public!!! Totally not something you see everyday here in Japan!!!

 

All in All it was a great day! When I got home I hugged the kids and although it was so nice to be without them, realized I missed them so much! Sawyer even took our pictures when I got home, here is his shot of me, he didn't let the camera focus:

 

If you are looking for a nice hike, some yummy food, and awesome views then I suggest Mt. Takao! I will probably go back again before we leave. Just remember the lift& cable car still only get you half way and its still a steep 2km to the top so if you are taking little kids be prepared to carry them. You could use a stroller most of the way but the paved path is not smooth the whole time and near temple there are A LOT of stairs!

 

Until Next Time

 

XOXO

Jenn 





Away From the Hustle and Bustle

There are days when I miss life away from the city. I miss the green trees and peace you feel when nature surrounds you, I've never been a concrete jungle kind of gal, all the people and traffic just start to get to you and start rubbing you the wrong way! Zack has been asking what we can do away from the city so I broke out a magazine that was given to us when we first arrived, if you live around Yokota I suggest checking this one out:

"Visit the Tokyo's oasis where you can explore the nature and history"

 

My plan is to eventually check out the 9 other highlighted villages/cities/towns. But with being 7-8 months pregnant we have had to avoid the hikes and some activities listed until after the Baby is here, with all my back and hip issues Zack was just looking out for me! But we got the Boba 3G carrier ordered and plan on getting this family out into the outdoors more! 

After thumbing through and having a few options shut down we decided to head up to the Okutama Lake and get a feel for the area. Once Zack saw the map he was sold, he's been wanting to go driving and find "fun roads", thank goodness no one in our family gets car sick!!!

That yellow road in the bottom left hand corner is no joke.

Probably one of the most twisty roads I've been on!

 

 

The first trip we made up to the area was a Saturday, we had no agenda other than to get away from base. Not 30min into the drive we were ecstatic to leave city behind and wind through little mountain towns that are so peaceful. Here are just a few pictures from our first trip, we didn't get out of the car it was mostly a scouting adventure and Sawyer napped almost the whole time!

 

 I was in LOVE with the area the second we left all the traffic lights behind.

 I could spend every weekend up here!

View of Okutama-ko Lake from the road

Just one of a few awesome bridges along the drive

Little area of Vendors near the restroom stop!

(Learned from our second trip up here they must only be open on weekends)

Not everyday you see a Ferrari Testarossa

 

 

After that short drive we knew that it would be an area we would frequent. Two weeks after our first visit to the area we went back, on a mission to check out the Dam. We picked up lunch from the commissary and headed toward the trees and water to enjoy a nice family day! There are many picnic areas at Ogouchi Dam, we didn't know until later so we just plopped down at a table under the wisteria near the parking lot.

The family eating lunch

 

These Crazy Caterpillars were EVERYWHERE!!!

 



 Once our bellies were nice and full we decided to explore the area and walk as far and as long as my pregnant body allowed! We walked all the way across the dam where we found a second set of picnic tables. We also discovered walking trails and paths along the other side of the lake. The rain started to blow in so we made our way back to the car to drive up the mountain a ways to see what kind of view we could find.

 



The Boys checking out the sites.

(Yes, Zack had a tight grip on Sawyer's ankles!)

 

Walking Trail around the lake I want to do one day!

 

Looks like a nice easy path!

 

Zack exploring with Sawyer, this path goes up a small Mountain!

 

 

The other picnic area across the dam

 

Sawyer running across the dam.

 

We drove around the lake and turned to go up. (The yellow road in the map picture above), We finally found a pull off at a spot that was 993m (3258 feet) from sea level and the road still kept climbing but we decided to turn around and will leave more for later!

Sawyer checking out the view,

Those buildings at the edge of the lake is the dam where we were.

 

Sawyer standing by the sign :)

 

Me and My Love

 

 

We have really just seen the tip of the iceberg up there and plan on exploring way more. There is also Okutama Town which we have yet to poke around in. With caverns, waterfalls, shrines, camping areas, and many hikes we have grown to love an area that will occupy many days off as a family of four! I look forward to watching the seasons change and seeing how the area differs during different seasons. Until our next adventure...

 

XOXO

Jenn



Sakura (桜)

I feel as if this month as flown by, where did March go?! Only 30 days ago it started and the land was still bare and the trees all looked dead, now while out and about the scenery is brightening up even on gloomy days with all the Cherry Blossoms in bloom!

When we found out we had orders to Yokota the first two things that crossed my mind were Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms! Well I am blessed to be able to see Fuji-san out my bedroom window on nice clear days. We have yet to make it up towards the mountain to check things out, but we will one of these days! One goal I have before our 4 years expires here is to climb Fuji! I figure I'll do it our last summer here so I have time to train and prepare myself for that journey!

Fuji-san from my bedroom patio back in December!

 

I kept hearing that the Cherry Blossoms would be in bloom late March so as the days ticked by I and we got closer to the end of the month I figured I'd start taking more walks off base to check things out, plus I'm currently pushing myself to make it 60miles in 2 months so I like to get those miles in! It wasn't until the 22nd that the trees really started to get pretty. Since I had never experienced Spring in Japan I didn't know what to expect exactly but words and pictures do no justice to the beauty of the Sakura. In a short 8 days the trees have gone from lightly blooming to the petals falling off. Its a quick change and weather doesn't help (this rain and breeze we are having is starting to make it snow blossoms). I also didn't realize how symbolic the cherry blossoms were for the Japanese, its the start of a fresh season. They celebrate by pinicing under the trees and having festivals! (We have yet to make it out to a festival due to Zack's work schedule.) I got to watch part of a documentary explaining the meaning of the Sakura to the Japanese and it was very touching. I went on a walk with a friend a week ago along the Tama River. It was a cloudy, windy day yet there were still so many people enjoying themselves under the trees along the paths. A lot of people had little grills going or bento boxes and they were drinking. The way they value family and nature really speaks to me. I felt happy just watching family and friends enjoying themselves. I would love to make it out to Showa Park before all of the blossoms are gone but the weather forecast the next week looks awful wet, thankfully we have another 3 Springs to enjoy the scenery! Here are some pictures of Sakura that I have snapped :)

Down by the Tama River

 

Same trees as the above picture just up on the path and one day later :)

 

Sawyer and I on our walk

 

This picture doesnt even begin to show to massive amount of people out enjoying the trees on a rather blah day, but that family having a picnic was cute!

 

Just love the white and pink!

 

On base.

 

Our Tower

 

Trees along the street by our tower.

 

The beauty of these trees is something that one really needs to experience, I could try and describe the beauty and take a million pictures but it still does them no justice! I just wish they hung around a little longer! With the Sakura blooming and the switch from nice weather to rain, you can tell spring is here!

 

Since I don't do the whole New Years Resolution thing I like to set goals every so often for self improvement. With losing so much weight before this pregnancy I was determined not to gain the 65lbs that I did when I was pregnant with Sawyer, so I set a goal once the weather got nice to walk with Sawyer. Figured it would get us both out of the house and the cardio would help me not gain too much weight. March 11th, after 2 decent walks I decided it was time to set another goal! The goal being I want to walk 60 miles before May 11th. My walks average 30min-2hours depending on where my feet decide to go and if I have Sawyer with me or not. I have a couple friends who walk with me and little do they know help keep me motivated to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I'm finding that the first 45 min is the most brutal, but I love the accomplishment I feel after I get 3miles or so in. Due to the rainy season I will have to start walking on the treadmill to keep on track to knock my 60mile goal out of the park, but I'm proud to say that as of March 30th I have 28/60 miles completed (47% of the way there)!!! There are days the pelvic pressure is too much or I am so fatigued that I know better than to push myself, or the days that after the walk I cant do anything cause of aches and pains but I am hoping that keeping active will help my recovery time as well as keep some weight off.

Here is my longest distance so far, I'm not trying to go fast plus this was a day that we stopped and took lots of pictures of Cherry Blossoms and ran into Seiyu for Strawberries!

 

 

We are getting ready to take a trip to Yokosuka Naval Base in two days so be on the lookout for that fun adventure post! Until Next Time XOXOXO