Opening Mt. Naeba
So anyone want to climb Mt. Naeba (Nagano) and stay at the hut on the first day of the season?
June 1 is the shinto ceremony at Naeba Shrine deep in Akiyamago to "open" the mountains. After the ceremony some people will be climbing and staying at the mountain hut on its first night. Tomoe, myself and two customers are scheduled to attend. We are a bit disapointed that there are not as many other people climbing as we had hoped. We were anticipating a lively night at the top, but I just talked to the organizer of the event and heard that two more people canceled.
It should be a great hike, with lots of snow left on the ground, but lots of green on the trees. The hut will be warm, as will the sake. The cost for a night in the hut is 7,000 yen, including dinner and breakfast and great sunset and sunrise photo-ops.
Anyone?
These photos are from a trip to Naeba last fall. It will be snowier this time, but just as beautiful. If you are interested in making the hike, contact me for more details.
Comments
If I had the time and money for a quick trip to Japan, I'd be there in a flash! Pity I left Tokyo before you'd moved to the countryside and started up your One Life initiative. Then again, I wasn't in great health/fitness back then....I'm super healthy, fit and ready for it now though!! ;)
Posted by: Lil | May 21, 2008 11:21 PM
Hey Kevin - I might be in for this - I'll email you tomorrow.
Posted by: Chris (i-cjw.com) | May 22, 2008 12:53 AM
Sadly there's no way I can make it, but I love the idea of "opening" the mountain.
I wonder if there are any Shinto ministers in Scotland? There must be.
Posted by: Duncan/AktoMan | May 22, 2008 08:48 AM
With a little more planning I would have loved to have come up for the event. I've never been up there before and would love to get out.
I will be doing a weekend trip to Mt. Kuju down here in Kyushu in June. Will post photos and a description of the hike as well.
Posted by: Ben Cook | May 23, 2008 11:32 PM