To Kamikōchi in the Japan Alps which was exciting even before we set off because Google Maps said there was no route to it, despite the fact that it is on the map (which is so large scale that anywhere mentioned must be important). Sheila got Apple Maps to take us there instead, and the reason for Google's reluctance eventually became clear.
The road up into the mountains is Route 158 and we have bought a sticker to celebrate our survival. On the way up we were fortunate enough to be behind a bus so the driver knew the dodgy bends where you had to stop if another large vehicle was coming the other way, and he knew the exceptionally narrow bits in the tunnels where you could (just) squeeze by other large vehicles. There were lots of tunnels, and lots of them were very narrow. And dark. And bendy. And hilly - yes the tunnels were hilly, some of them going up at 11% (the signs told us) before plunging downhill, some going down into a dip before rising again just before the exit. And there was a junction inside a tunnel. We have done lots of tunnels on several continents and never seen a junction inside one.
Visitor centre at Kamikochi
The bus eventually pulled off the road and Gilroy was left to lead the remainder of the convoy up into the mountains. But not for too long because a lady waved us off the road into a parking area and informed us that no private vehicles bound for Kamikōchi were allowed any further - we had to take a bus or a taxi for the remaining 9km. So that is why Google Maps wouldn't find a route.
We selected the bus, paid ¥2,000 each for return tickets (about £15) and waited in a nicely ordered queue (supervised by a bus company lady). The trip on the bus was fairly slow because the road is so narrow that they have to pull into lay-bys to pass on-coming buses and taxis - the trip was more than half an hour through more tunnels, S bends and scary drops over the edge.
We selected the bus, paid ¥2,000 each for return tickets (about £15) and waited in a nicely ordered queue (supervised by a bus company lady). The trip on the bus was fairly slow because the road is so narrow that they have to pull into lay-bys to pass on-coming buses and taxis - the trip was more than half an hour through more tunnels, S bends and scary drops over the edge.
When we got to Kamikōchi there must have been at least fifty buses there already but the reason for its popularity quickly became apparent: it is beautiful. The scenery is soaring and majestic.
There were lots of walking routes available and we decided to walk up-stream along the left hand side to the next bridge, and then back down on the other side, about 8km altogether. The paths were well-made, with raised wooden sections through the more boggy ground. Once again, the mainly aged local visitors impressed us - they walked long routes with considerable vigour, though some had an excess of serious hiking equipment for what was a relatively gentle stroll. Perhaps they were going off-piste into the real mountains.
There were lots of walking routes available and we decided to walk up-stream along the left hand side to the next bridge, and then back down on the other side, about 8km altogether. The paths were well-made, with raised wooden sections through the more boggy ground. Once again, the mainly aged local visitors impressed us - they walked long routes with considerable vigour, though some had an excess of serious hiking equipment for what was a relatively gentle stroll. Perhaps they were going off-piste into the real mountains.
There were babbling brooks, trout streams, trees beginning to assume their Autumn colours, and wonderful reflections. And the weather was perfect.
