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  1. TRAVEL 2013
  2. JUNE, 2013: NIKKO, JAPAN

NIKKO III

Final Nikko Album. Lake Chuzenji and back to Narita.
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I could have ridden by bus all the way to the village at Lake Chyuzenji (also spelled Chuzenji).  But NO.  From what I read in my guide book, I decided that I had to hike into town.  And not on just any trail, where one can drive to it:  I couldn't even get to the start of the trail without taking this gondola, the Akechidaira Ropeway.
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I could have ridden by bus all the way to the village at Lake Chyuzenji (also spelled Chuzenji). But NO. From what I read in my guide book, I decided that I had to hike into town. And not on just any trail, where one can drive to it: I couldn't even get to the start of the trail without taking this gondola, the Akechidaira Ropeway.

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  • I could have ridden by bus all the way to the village at Lake Chyuzenji (also spelled Chuzenji).  But NO.  From what I read in my guide book, I decided that I had to hike into town.  And not on just any trail, where one can drive to it:  I couldn't even get to the start of the trail without taking this gondola, the Akechidaira Ropeway.
  • Of course, anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for gondolas, ski lifts, inclined railways, and all that sort of stuff, so this was a very enjoyable ride.  You can see the westernmost part of Nikko down in the valley.  The Akechidaira Ropeway is pretty short as far as gondola tramways go:  It is less than 1,000 feet long, and elevates you 282 feet.  But it is still fun!
  • Looking toward Lake Chuzenji from the high terminal of the Akechidaira Ropeway.  Kegon Falls between us and the lake.  As you can see, there is a picturesque little village which hugs the lake.
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  • The cicadas were serenading!  Make sure that your sound is turned up prior to playing this video.  I did not capture any visual of any individual cicada, but after hearing the overall chorus of them, you will start HEARING an individual (who must have been close, but I just could not quite find him) at about 3 minutes into the video.  I can't seem to find anything online about these cicadas, but I assume that this is not a phenomenon separated by many years, like on the U.S. East Coast.  I think this is a yearly thing here (but I'm not sure).  Anyhow, it was amazing to have this sound surrounding me for the hike!
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  • Typical section of the trail.  From the maps and such, I estimated that it would take me about 2 hours (and I really thought that was giving considerable "cushion").  There is a fork in the trail about 1/3 of the way.  I was not to that fork until considerably AFTER the 2 hour mark!  But shortly after the fork the trail starts down, so I did arrive in town about 4 hours after I started hiking.  Glad I started plenty early.
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  • Town looks so near in this photo!  This is a telephoto shot, so a little deceiving as far as distance is concerned.  However, the trail goes WAY to your left from here prior to starting downward and zig-zagging to the southern part of town.
  • I call this THE DANCING TREE, just because it is a tree which looked to me like it was dancing.
  • Kegon Falls.  There are several other waterfalls in this area.  However, by the time I got here it was starting to get to the time of day that I felt like I needed to be figuring out how to get back to Nikko.   Something about being dependent on public transportation in a place where I can't read or understand the language made me feel like I needed to have plenty of "cushion" in case I made an error or misunderstood something on the way back.<br />
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So hopefully I'll get to some of the other falls if I ever return to this place.
  • Lake Chuzenji, elevation 4,124 feet.  Formed 20,000 years ago when a volcanic eruption blocked a river.  Discovered in 782 AD, the lake is 508 feet deep.
  • The road down.  This photo does not show it well, but this is one of the steepest slopes-with-a-highway I think I have been on (the ROAD is not that steep, because of all the switchbacks, but the slope it is coming down......well......
  • ....I didn't think to take a video until we were nearly down, so this is not the steepest part.  I think you will get some idea, however......
  • Time to get back to Narita and start home.
  • Aaaah!  One of my all time favorite places to eat......in all the whole world!
  • The spicy red pepper soup is always incredible (That's what I get EVERY time I eat there -- I can't imagine anything else matching it).  And their gyoza (Japanese dumplings) are mighty nice, too.  I usually get the soup meatless, but this time, for some reason, the pork sounded so good (and REALLY hit the spot!).
  • The old village of Narita is one of my favorite walks, too.
  • Saipan-bound!
  • We'll end with an aerial view of a workplace which, I'm sure, has lots of ups and downs!
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