February Sojourns part 2, Mt Raizan and early blooming sakura

Hiking Mt Raizan in Itoshima, Fukuoka.

  Still wintery and cold but the weather forecast was good 

so no excuse not to go.

We parked at this spacious car-park, what is more or less at the end of the road.

And it has a super clean toilet.

Hey, this is Japan.

 Start of the trail.

 Last water-fill station.

Fresh frost (frozen mist) on the branches.

At the top, time for a hot cuppa.

 Ouch, part of this mountain road got washed away.

But repairs are being made.. it looks like a few-weeks job.

Raizan is famous for Sennyojin Temple and its amazing garden.

A must visit.

Spring is around the corner..

...as early sakura blooming.

"kawatsu sakura"

 Fukuoka Tower is peeping from underneath.

For more info on Mt Raizan and other tours:

Low Budget hike and sightseeing tours, 
in English and Japanese.

Custom made for small groups by

Your Tour mate Yap Mulder, from the Netherlands,

living in Japan since 1989.

See also our Facebook page, click HERE  https://www.facebook.com/hikingkyushu/

For trips and tips, contact at 090-7587-7677

hikefukuoka(at)gmail(dot)com 

https://twitter.com/YapFukuoka

February Sojourns part 1

 Welcome, welcome, welcome.

Here comes a series of 3 updates 

what Hike n See did and saw in February.

Yep, the coldest month of the year...
but it's also the turn-around of the winter towards spring.

Yeah...

   First of All, this maneki neko (fortune cat).

Found her in a display at Mamushi Onsen in Itoshima

She was hand made by an 84 year old lady.

And indeed February brought us good health...

 and (some) fortune :-)

We had some snow the other day...

so time to enjoy a white hike!

After enough picture taking & absorbing of the scenery 

...it was down the trail..

and spearheading for that Mamushi Onsen.

Not a bad day at all.

And true, only a few days later...

An amazing day, weather-wise for sure...

so it was time to hike Mt Iimori

Just at our backyard.

Fukuoka 

with in the center Momochi area with of course, 
Fukuoka Tower.

 Serious Blooming Plum

Wishing Notes 

like these can be found at many temples.

Same can be said about awesome & huge cedar trees.

Boy can they tell tall stories...

 it's just a problem finding a fitting grass-skirt for them...

For visiting places like these 
and or other outdoor activities :

Low Budget hike and sightseeing tours, 
in English and Japanese.

See also our Facebook page, click HERE  https://www.facebook.com/hikingkyushu/

For trips and tips, contact at 090-7587-7677

hikefukuoka(at)gmail(dot)com 

https://twitter.com/YapFukuoka

January Sojourns 2017

Low Budget hike and sightseeing tours, 
in English and Japanese.

See also our Facebook page, click HERE  https://www.facebook.com/hikingkyushu/

For trips and tips, contact at 090-7587-7677

hikefukuoka(at)gmail(dot)com 

https://twitter.com/YapFukuoka

January Sojourns in Kyushu

Most SW point @ Kyushu.

The town down there is Makurazaki in Kagoshima Pref. 

Mt Kaimon is popping out of the haze.

A bit closer to Mt Kaimon.

The trail to the top is pleasant and easy hike.

At the base of this Small Mt Fuji are plenty of hot-springs.

And the famous Hot Sand Bath beaches.

View from the top....

Some pictures taken while hiking around Fukuoka.

 Map showing Itoshima, just to the west of Fukuoka city.

And one week later, it was time to hike Mt Iimori.

It's only  an easy 1 hour stroll to the top.

Iimori Jinja is at the base of the mountain.

This temple has a strong link to horse riding & archery.

And of course, on 3 February it is: Setsubun.

A festival to celebrate is THE day before Spring starts ..... 

Yeahhhh

Make sure, you enter Fuku chan's mouth.

Good things will follow.

More on Setsubun, 

read HERE

And as always, check out our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/hikingkyushu/

Salute