on top of the world!

MT. DOGO

道後山

14th June 2008

Located in the very north eastern corner of Hiroshima Prefecture where a few steps north from the peak would place you in Tottori Prefecture, this is Mt. Dogo, one of the highest peaks in the prefecture rising up to 1268.8 metres above sea level (Mt. Osorokan is the highest - 1346m located in the Geihoku region in the west). On a clear day you can see the Japan Sea in the north and Tottori Prefectures Mt. Daisen - 1709m - the highest mountain in western Japan. Out to the west is Shobara, Miyoshi and beyond and to the south - Tojo. To the east is Yamaguchi Prefecture.

You can drive half way up the mountain which is a ski resort in winter and park the car. From there you can hike up the mountain along the well trodden track. There are two peaks to reach the first one Mt. Iwahi - 1271m (岩樋山), actually taller believe it or not than Mt. Dogo by a couple of metres! The climb is relatively easy although there are sections where your level of fitness and flexibility will be tested! The view from the top is breathtaking and I will say that again, absolutely breathtaking. The last time I came up this mountain I was still in my work clothes so I couldn't adventure off from the car park but I did take a couple of photos two of which are at the bottom of this entry. The visibility wasn't 100% but was good enough to sit on the peak and gaze at nothing but mountains, mountains and more mountains right as far as our eyes could see.

the last few hundred metres to the peak of Mt. Dogo!

the view in a south-west direction from the peak

Kai standing on a rock on Mt. Iwahi with Mt. Dogo still another 30 minutes walk away



the peak of Mt. Iwahi from the carpark - September 2007


the autumn sky - from the carpark on Mt. Iawahi - september 2007

serene beauty

TAISHAKU-KYO ・LAKE SHINRYU

帝釈峡・神龍湖

17th May 2008

The sky was blue with a few fluffy clouds passing by in the distance and the sun shining brightly. The new leaves showing off their magnificant greens and the dry breeze keeping us cool and making us work harder to avoid drifting off course. It was a perfect spring day for a row on the famous Lake Shinryu in the beautiful surroundings of Taishaku. We enjoyed a leisurely walk through the forest under the canopy of leaves and soaking in the sunshine passing in between.

lunch time under the hot sun!

Naomi rowing the boat on the lake




this is what Taishaku looks like in mid-winter just to give you an idea of how this amazing place literally transforms from complete dullness and bearness into a tranquil forest full of life