camping

A white stake and crosspiece planted in dried grass at the base of a tree. The crosspiece had been a sign reading either “13” or “15”, the top part of which has broken off, with some fragments scattered nearby.

A Japanese sign detailing the rules for use of a public park, including that stays are not to exceed 24 hours, that fires are permitted only in a hibachi or camp stove, and that tents are not to be pitched where they will be a nuisance.

Extending my reach from Nisshin with a second two-day tour, this time to Kyoto. The first night was a repeat visit to Takatoriyama campground in Taga County, Shiga Prefecture, followed by a hotel stay in Otsu City, setting up a short push on the third day to make a luncheon appointment with an old friend in Kyoto before riding Shinkansen back to Nagoya.

One of several individual campsites, each edged by low-lying hedges. In this one there is a one-man tent, and to its right a touring bicycle, a pile of assorted luggage, and with a camp stove with a coffee pot in the middle of the scene.

My first solo two-overnight ride from the house. Travelling on the coldest days of the season was a good shakedown for winter equipment and clothing. I packed the wherewithal to have the option of bagging the bike and returning by train, and I used it, for reasons explained herein.

Another exploratory day-trip excursion to a possible route into Kani, linking to the northern route to Gero hot springs. At about 100 kilometers for the round trip it’s a long one, but this one avoids the punishing climbs normally involved in getting out of the city.

A bespectacled man with greying stubble beard, wearing a touk and squinting at the camera from inside a sleeping bag, inside a tent. His left hand bearing a wedding ring is curled against his chin.

A one-person tent pitched on a rooftop deck, overlooking a town nestled in a mountain valley, partly shrouded in mist with wisps of cloud in a morning sky.

2-4 December 2024: A town so nice I went there twice. A second journey to Gero hot springs, this time with no stopover on the way up. A full day of rest before the return offered a chance to explore the town just a little, and failure of my camping stove added to the adventure.

A branch of a Japanese maple with leaves just beginning to show signs of autumn color. A stone bench on which water bottles are resting is visible in the background below.