Hakkoda Mountain Fall Hike

Over the weekend I had the chance to spend the day hiking in the Hakkoda Mountains of northern Japan.  I was really excited for this trip because I know the fall colors would be amazing.  What I didn't expect was the phone call the day before to let me know I better dress extra warm.  It had started snowing on the mountain!  Well, I didn't let that deter me.  I just bundled up and went for it.

The day started pretty early for a Saturday.  I went with Outdoor Recreation, which is a service/store offered on base that takes care of all your outdoor and adventure needs.  Needless to say this trip required me to be there at 6:30 am so we could get an early start on the day, which included about 5 hours of hiking.  The bonus for me was the hot spring resort at the end!

In order to start our actual hike we took the ropeway out across to another base or place to start from, instead of starting all the way at the beginning.  The ropeway, which many of you probably know as a cable car, was actually much longer than I expected.  Apparently it runs in the winter too.

Here you can see the cables starting at this end and then ending all the way off in the distance. 

As we took of we got our first glance of Aomori City in the distance with Mutsu Bay just beyond that.  You can also see the colors just changing on the tops of the trees below.

We were a lot closer to the tops of the trees than I had anticipated.

Then another peak came into view.

I love this picture because you can see the shadow of the cable car down there.

At the very top where the ropeway ends you can see much better off to the city in the distance.

Here I am, freezing because of the wind, but ready to get the hike started.  

We were going to do a trail that took us to a different ending spot than where we started, but others hike a loop and then come back here to take the ropeway back down.

I stopped along the way often to take pictures of the beautiful scenery.  Although it is now fall, you can still see a lot of green.

Another fun picture of me with the sun rays coming through.

Gaining in altitude.

With the altitude comes the snow!

I was amazed to see it, even though the guide told us it had been snowing, so I have no idea why I was surprised.

Here is a really great view to Aomori City and Mutsu Bay.

I did it!  I reached the summit of this peak, although there are a few more in this area.  This is actually not the highest, but the second highest.  We did not have time for the highest of these three, so we did the two smaller ones.

This one is known as Akakura-Dake and is 1,548 meters.  It was formed by a volcanic eruption many years ago.

Here I am again, with the sign, totally freezing because it is not only cold but extra windy at the top.  But I was happy that it was a clear day.

More snow!  After we reached the top we followed the trail along and went down a little and then back up to reach another peak.

At the top of the second peak there was a little temple.

Pretty views!

This is Ido-dake and it is just a little shorter at 1,550 meters.

Another beautiful shot.

Then we took at a look at the crater that was formed here with the volcanic eruption.

One last stop to pose with the scenery before heading down to that cabin below and enjoying some lunch.

If you look closely you can see the cabin down below.

If you couldn't see it before, I am sure you can see it now.  I was so excited to finally be at the bathroom!

After lunch there was no more uphill, just flat and down hill sections.

It was super muddy so many areas had these wooden planks to walk on.

Then, before I knew it, the resort was in view, just below.

I took a deep breath and realized I was about to enjoy my first onsen experience.

This was at the very bottom before heading to the resort area.  We were all the way up there and made our way down through some very muddy conditions.  But it was all worth it for the views and the natural hot springs.

This particular onsen is co-ed.  I was NOT up for that, so the guide kindly showed me to the private women's onsen.  Why would co-ed bother me?  Well, if you are not familiar with an onsen, let me fill you in.  This is a tradition in Japan.  They have many natural hot springs all over.  An onsen is like a public bath.  The bathing is done in the nude.  There is a whole process for this.  You need to shower first, sitting on a little stool, and making sure you are clean.  Then you go and soak in the natural hot spring water.  It is very relaxing, but you can only stay in for so long because it is really hot.  I was a little hesitant because in our group I was the only female and I have never done this before.  I did get a lesson once on what to do but it was about a year ago, so I really just had no idea.  I am glad that I decided to just go for it and enjoy the experience.  I don't think I did anything wrong and I don't think I offended anyone, so that is a good start!  It was definitely a much needed treat after the hike.

QUESTIONS:  Have you gone hiking this fall?  Are the leaves changing where you live?  Have you ever been to an onsen?  Any other public bathing experiences?

Nature Views and the Best Pad Thai Outside of Thailand

Just to start things off and get everyone really hungry, here is a picture of one of my favorite treats.  This is taiyaki, which is a fish shaped pancake with filling.  Usually this will be sweetened red bean paste, but I also have had them with custard.  They are about the size of the palm of your handy and can be eaten in 2-3 bites.  Good thing we usually buy them in a 5 pack, and I love when we get to watch them being made and then get them hot and fresh.

Another fun thing here in Japan is their love of vending machines.  Seriously, everything can be found in a vending machine.  Not kidding, they even sell cartons of eggs from vending machines.  But this picture is of hot and cold beverages.  It was the first time I saw one like this (or rather this large) so I had to take a picture.  It was right outside a bathroom, so me stopping to take a picture definitely struck the locals as odd.  Hey, I live in rural Japan, what can I say, somethings will just always look out of place.  Almost always, it has to do with me trying to take a picture!

Here you can see the cold drink selection closer up.  Pretty interesting!

 I also found this too cute to resist taking a picture of at the market.

Although not Japanese, I did take a picture of this because it is my new favorite bar...EVER!  This was so good.  I loved this flavor, and this company in general, but this flavor was insanely good.  I need to get more.  I picked this up at FNCE.

Yum!

Can you believe there is a Hawaiian restaurant just off base?  Actually, you probably can since many natives in Hawaii have Asian backgrounds.  So, this is Tubes, which is by the base and offers some Hawaiian food along with a surf shop.

First up is this:

No, no one ordered a toxic, radioactive soda.  Trust me, the radiation here is not making the soda turn green.  This is actually a popular soda here, and it is melon flavored.  Melon is a popular flavor for many things in Japan.  Ryan just happens to like this one, and has fun with the color.

For dinner I had some shrimp.  They love mayo here and may have gone a little crazy with it.  Next time I will ask for no mayo, although this will leave me with dry salad.  Perhaps soy sauce?

Ryan had the loco moco, which is a traditional Hawaiian dish with rice, hamburger and egg.  He knew to order this because he has had it before.

So I did promise some views of the local nature.  It is really pretty this time of year, well it was at this time because it was more fall like weather (it snowed here yesterday!).  I have not had a fall season in so long so I almost forgot what it was like.  The colors were amazing and I really loved driving around northern Japan (Honshu only, not so north as to be in Hokkaido) this time of year.

These pictures were taken around the pond at Komaki resort, which is a hotel with some public gardens, some restaurants, and an onsen.  More on onsens later once I actually try one.  These are Japanese hot baths, where everyone bathes in the nude.  Of course it is separated into male and female private bathing areas.  These are very popular and I promise to share more on this later.

In the meantime, here are some shots around the pond.

You can see the leaves here are just starting to turn and there is more green than reds and oranges.

Lots of koi swimming here.  I swear I saw one bold fish changing a duck shark attack style.  It was terrifying!  The duck didn't seem phased, but I don't think it realized how close that fish was following behind.

It just wouldn't be Japan if there weren't some characters and faces around.  I love it!

I also loved that I got to pet this horse.  I miss horses and I hope to get back into riding soon.

This is the house of a teacher and the president or person that started the first bank of Japan.  One of his students opened this resort years ago, and in honor of this teacher named the park after him and transported his home here.  No one lives here but it can be used for functions.  I am amazed when I hear of buildings being transported to other locations.

 Inside the resort they have some restaurants with live performances nightly, and then this display set up, which I forget exactly what it is form, but I see it everywhere.  I think it has to do with a major festival in the region.

Which brings me to my last set of pictures.  This is Phada's Thai, which was suggested by a friend, and visited cautiously because Ryan is not a huge pad Thai fan so we were not sure what else they would have that he might like.

We started with spring rolls.

I ordered the shrimp pad Thai because I love shrimp pad Thai.  Let me say that again, but a little differently.  I love THIS pad Thai.  Holy cow!  This is the best pad Thai I have ever had in my entire life, and Ryan even liked it (so much so that we have been back since and he ordered chicken pad Thai...and ate it all!).  I am not kidding and I have no idea what made this so special, but it was good.  It was darn good, and I intend to go back often!

Ryan ordered the Thai basil chicken, which he said was really good.  I am so happy this place was a hit because every once in a while I just get a craving for good Thai food, and now it is just down the road.

I also really like that for vegetarians they can use tofu in any dish on the menu.  It even says this on the menu so you will know up front that you have options there as a vegetarian and they are understanding of vegetarian diets.  For many Japanese if you don't see the meat, then it is vegetarian.  They are becoming more and more understanding, but having meat in a broth or sauce means vegetarian to many Japanese, when for most vegetarians that would not be acceptable.  So, I am very happy with Phada's, and we will be going back.

QUESTIONS:  Have you ever tried True Bar?  What is your favorite Thai dish?  Have you ever heard of an onsen (or visited one)?