(Participation Fee: 1000 yenFee: + 600 yen Nokogiri Entrance Fee) (Cancelled in case of rain)

From Chiba Station, take the Uchibo Line (towards Kimitsu) at 8:44AM. This arrives at Kimitsu Station at 9:29. Change there to the 9:31 Uchino Line train going towards Tateyama. This arrives at Hamakanaya at 10:05. Definitely make this train as the trains are very infrequent! The transport fee is 1140 yen one way from Chiba to Hamakanaya.

Meeting place/time: Hamakanaya Station Ticket Gate 10:05AM

Walking time: About 5 hours Course: Hamakanaya Station – Mountain Peak (Temple’s Gate) – Lookout point, Sengen Shrine – Hyakushaku Kannon – Jigoku Nozoki (Peeping into hell)- Stone Buddha – Daffodil Fields – JR Hota Station

Features: A wonderful view of Tokyo Bay from the top; 1500 Rakans; the Giant Buddha Stone Statue, “Peeping into Hell”

Near Hota Station, we will walk through the daffodil fields and enjoy their heavenly scent – a wonderful experience!

http://maruchiba.jp/sys/data/index/page/id/13309/

1) Environmental Restoration Project with Friends of the Earth

 (Cutting down old trees, carrying logs, chopping wood) 

 10:00 – 15:30

(Participation Fee – 500 yen) (Canceled in case of rain)

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED by January 11.

Meeting Place: 10:04 at Utsugidai Bus Stop

Please wear long pants and long-sleeved shirt and exercise shoes.

Please bring your own drinks, food (for lunch) and work gloves.

Those who wish to go with David, please meet at Hino Station (on the Chuo Line) ticket gate at 9:40.  We will take the 9:46 bus from there (18 minutes).

Information (in Japanese): http://www.foejapan.org/satoyama/activity/index.html

2) Arakawa River Clean Up

We will meet at MINAMI SUNAMACHI Station (Tozai Line) outside ticket gate for exits 2 and 3 at 12:00noon., and then go to the Arakawa River by car and pick up trash along the banks for about 2.5 to 3 hours. Afterwards we go to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

Recommended: Hat, long pants (for weed protection), long-sleeve shirt (for sun protection), gloves, walking/hiking shoes, generally older clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. The clean up route will be mostly paved so rubber boots will not be necessary

If you come late, walk to the river (about 10 min) and look for us at the water line to the right of the Tozai Line bridge. Also call my cell phone 090-1847-5075 if there are any problems finding us. The adjacent park has restrooms nearby the clean up area.

This event will only be cancelled in the event of heavy rain. Check this page or message me if any doubt.

Let’s have fun enjoying our local nature while making it better at the same time.

Leader: James　090-1847-5075, yaesukita@gmail.com.

Ichikawa City Walk   NEW!!!

(1000 Yen)(Easy)(We’ll go even if it rains)

Meeting Place and Time: Kitakokubun Station (on the Hokuso Railway)  ticket gate at 12:15

Train: Get on at 11:45am at Asakusabashi Station (Metropolitan Subway Asakusa Line for Inba-nihonidai ) and get off at Kita Kokubun Station at 12:11.

This walk goes through parks (Kozukayama Park, Junsai-Ike Pond Park, Mamasan Hills), shrines/temples (Atago Shrine, Guho-ji Temple, and a Walking Path of Literature (Sakuradote Park).

Please look at these two maps which entail many of the places we’ll visit:

http://www.city.ichikawa.lg.jp/common/000200388.pdf 

http://www.city.ichikawa.lg.jp/common/000200381.pdf 

Walking distance: About 12KM

We should finish around 5:00PM.

1000円, Canceled in case of rain, Intermediate

Please bring your own food and drinks.

Please wear trekking shoes (or exercise shoes). Bring non-slip gloves to grab on to branches and ropes.

Course: Hatsukari Station – Mt. Takagawa – Tenjin Pass – Batou Goddess of Mercy – Ootsuki Station

From the top of the mountain, we have a 360 degree panoramic view, including beautiful Mt. Fuji.

Meeting Place and Time: Hatsukari ticket gate at 10:50AM.

Train：Keio Line (Shinjuku Departure) 8：47⇒Takao (Arrival) 9:38⇒（Change to the Chuo Line）⇒Takao (Departure) 9:47⇒Hatsukari (Arrival) 10：48

More information about the course (in Japanese):

yamazuki.fc2web.com/takagawa.html

www.geocities.jp/hmrmyamada/yamaaruki/takagawayama.html

www.yamareco.com/modules/yamareco/detail-587266.html

From Hatsukari Station (leaving around 11:00AM), it’s about 5 hours of walking (plus rest time and lunch time).

(Participation Fee 1000yen, Intermediate Course, Bring your own beverages and lunch box)

(Canceled in case of rain)

The total course time will be four and a half hours.

Hadano Station – Yabitsu Pass (by bus – 470 yen) – Mt. Harudake – Mt. Ohyama (1251M) – Aburi Insurine – Ohyama cable station – Isehara Station

We will meet at the gate of Hadano station(Odakyu line) at 9:15AM and take a bus which leaves for Yabitsu Pass from Hadano Station at 9:24 AM.

This bus is the final one to get there. There are no more buses for Yabitsu Pass after this one, so miss it at your peril!

If you’d like to go from Shinjuku, get on the front of the 8:03 Odakyu Line rapid express train at Shinjuku Station. This train stops at Sagami-oono Sta. at 8:39. Then change to the express train to start at 8:41 for Odawara which arrives at Hadano at 9:11.

The view from the peak of Mt Ohyama is famous for its beauty, so if we’re lucky with the weather, we ought to be able to enjoy a splendid panorama while we eat our lunch. Please don’t forget to have your rucksack and exercise or tracking shoes to avoid your injury.

HOT SPRINGS!!! (Part 2) 

For you lazy people who just want to enjoy a hot springs and a New Year’s Party, we will meet at the Super Hot Springs (a 5 minute walk from the Odakyuu Line’s Tokai-daigaku-mae Station) at around 17:00 to do just this. The hot springs website (in Japanese) and phone number are as follows:  (www.onsen-sazanka.com – 850 yen – 0463-78-0026)

(Not Difficult) (1000 yen Participation Fee) (Cancelled in case of rain)

We meet at Miyanohira Station at  10:45AM. Take the 9:26AM Chuo Line train (going towards Hachiouji), get off at Tachikawa (arriving 10:01) and hurry (because it’s another platform, I think) to the Oume line (10:05 departure).  Take this to the last stop (Oume, arriving at 10:39) and cross the platform to the Okutama bound Oume line train, leaving at 10:40.  This arrives at Miyanohira Station at 10:43

Course: Miyanohira Station – Tengu Rock (Beautiful Views) – KyuuNittsuka Pass  -Oume Station

The course should take about 5 hours.

Please wear appropriate shoes (tennis shoes, hiking boots), bring a lunch to eat on the mountain, and plenty of liquids.

(Participation Fee – 1000 yen) (Cancelled in case of rain)(Moderate)

We will meet at the ticket gate of Higashi Zushi Station at 9:45AM. You can take the following train.

8:44 Shinagawa (JR Yokosuka Line going towards Kurihama) – Higashi Zushi (9:42AM)

The hike itself is not difficult, but the hiking time is about 5 hours.

Hiking Course: Higashi Zushi Station – Batou Goddess of Mercy – Morito Forest Path – Adventure Course – Mt. Sengen Hiking Course – Morito Beach (Sunset) – ShinZushi Station

We will meet at a Yahiro Station on the Keisei Oshiage Line (which is an extension of the Toei Asakusaka Line) at 12:00 noon, and then walk to the Arakawa River and pick up trash along the banks from about 12:20 for three hours or so.

Dress for the weather with warm enough clothes. Rubber boots are recommended or appropriate hiking or walking shoes and generally older clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty.

This event will only be cancelled in the case of heavy rain. If there is any doubt please check the meetup page for such notices, which will also be sent to registered attendees by e-mail.

Let’s have fun enjoying our local nature while making it better at the same time. Please be sure to click going if you will attend.

Organizer: James 090-1847-5075, yaesukita[at]gmail[dot]com.

(1000 Yen Participation Fee) (ModerateCourse) (Canceled in case of rain)

The End of the Year Party will be held even if the hike is canceled.

<<About hiking>>

We will meet at the ticket gate of Higashi Moro at 9:55AM.  From Ikebukuro, take the Tobu Tojo Line’s Express Train

(going towards Ogawamachi) at 9:00 and change at Sakado (arriving here at 9:37) to the Tobu Ogose Line.

Take the 9:39AM Tobu Ogose Line train to Higashi Moro Station.

It arrives there at 9:53AM. Please make sure to get to Higashi Moro by 9:53 since we cannot wait for the next train.

COURSE: Higashi Moro Station – Kamakita Lake – Shishi Waterfall – Higashi Moro Station

The train fare is 650 Yen one-way from Ikebukuro.

The walking time itself is about 5 hours. Please bring your own food and drink.

Should be a lot of fun!

<<About the-end-of-the-year party>>

We will have an end-of-the-year party at a Japanese Pub (from 18:30) in Ikebukuro.

To make a reservation, please send an email directly to Miki at seitansai1335#yahoo.co.jp (change the # to @) with you full name.

You can only make a reservation for yourself (i.e. you cannot reserve for other people).

★Reservations are needed by December13 (Thursday) 5 pm.

★Place: Robata Jocho Kakko Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Kouen Mae

   (Sun Glow-Bldg 4F, 1-10-8 Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward)

★FEE: 3,800 yen (2 hours, food and all-you-can-drink)

★The first 25 people to reserve will be accepted.

<<About the cancellation fee>>

If you cancel before 5:00PM on December 13 (Thursday), there will be no cancellation fee.

However, full payment will be required for anyone making a cancellation after that time.

So, please make sure to cancel before this time and date (to Miki at the same address as above) if　necessary.

<<Christmas illuminations>>

Before the party, we will see the Christmas illuminations (Sunshine Bldg Xmas Illumination & Station Illumination) there. People who don’t go hiking can meet us at 17:20 in front of the Mizuho Bank (East side of Ikebukuro Station) or at 18:30 at the Japanese pub. If you can’t find us, please call David at 080-6546-7688.

1. Satoyama Nature Exploratory Course

 (Easy)(Participation Fee 1000 yen)(Cancelled in case of rain) 

Meeting Place & Time: KeioKatakura Station (Keio Line) Ticket Gate at 12:50PM

Train Schedule

12:07 Leave Shinjuku Station on the Keiou Line (Express going towards Takaosanguchi)

12:49 Arrive at Keio-Katakura Station (Keio Line)

Course:  Keio-Katakura Station  –  Katakura Palace Remains Park – Mixed Forest Road – Mt. Fuji Lookout Point – Mt. Ootsuka Park – Silk Road – KamiYuugi Park  – MinamiOosawa Station (Keio Line)

Walking Time: About 4 Hours (12KM)

We finish at Minami Oosawa, where there is a nice outlet mall if you want to shop.

2) Edogawa River Clean Up and Dinner

We will meet at BARAKINAKAYAMA Station (Tozai Line) outside the only ticket gate at 12:00noon., and then go to Edogawa River by and pick up trash along the banks for about 2.5 to 3 hours. Afterwards we will go to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

Recommended: Hat, long pants (for weed protection), long-sleeve shirt (for sun protection), gloves, walking/hiking shoes, generally older clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Hiking shoes or old running shoes are recommended (rubber boots are optional.)

If you come late, walk to the river (about 12-15 min.) or take an Ichikawa Clean Spa shuttle bus and look for us at the water line in the direction of Tokyo Bay. Also call my cell phone 090-1847-5075 if there are any problems finding us. The adjacent Clean Spa has restrooms in its park area.

Let’s have fun enjoying our local nature while making it better at the same time.

This event will not be cancelled in the event of rain or only if very heavy rain as we can clean up under the bay-front bridges as well as move back and forth to the station by car). Please check the site or message me for details if any doubt.