May 1 (Sunday)　Chichibu SPECIAL – Mountain Flower Road and Multi-colored grass Hiking (Intermediate Course)　Half NEW!!!
(Participation Fee 500 yen) (Cancelled in case of rain)

Meeting Time & Place: 9:00AM at Ashigakubo Station’s ticket gate or 12:20 at Yokose Station’s ticket gate

Take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line Express train from Ikebukuro Station at 7:35AM. This arrives at Ashigakubo at 9:00AM.

For late comers, take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line Express train from Ikebukuro Station at 10:35AM. This arrives at Hanno Station (the final destination) at 11:31AM. Change here to the Seibu Chichibu Line (which leaves at 11:34) and get off at Yokose Station (arriving at 12:19).

For early comers, meet on the front of the 7:35 train at Ikebukuro if you want to go from there.

Hiking Course: Ashigakubo Station – Mountain Flower Road – Mt. Hinata – Yokose Station – Hitsujiyama Park – Chichibu Station

The total walking time is about 6 hours.

Please bring your lunch and drink.

Check out the following HPs for more information:

http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~kinoko/syuuhen/hanamiti.htm (Mountain Flower Road)
http://www.hikingmap.jp/course/yokoze01.html (Hiking course from Yokose)
http://www.yokoze.gr.jp/hiking/index.htm (Hiking Course)
http://navi.city.chichibu.lg.jp/flower/shibazakura/index.html (Multi-colored Grass Park)

April 24 (Sunday) – EARTH DAY SUPER ECO PROGRAM – Tamagawa, Todoroki Gorge, Sunset Hiking and Garbage Clean Up (500 Yen) (Cancelled in case of rain!) HALFNEW!

Meet at 10:30AM at Tamagawa station (on the Tokyuu Toyoko Line) ticket gate OR (for late risers) meet at 1:45PM at Todoroki (on the Tokyuu Oimachi Line) Station ticket gate at 1:45PM.

[map]
tamagawa station, japan
[/map]

Course: Tamagawa Station – Tamagawadai Park (Water plants botanical garden) – Tamagawa River Garbage pick up – Todoroki Gorge – Todoroki Station (1:45) – Todoroki Gorge – Tamagawa River Garbage pick up – Futago Tamagawa Hyogoshima Park (Sunset)

This is an easy hike so children can join too. On the riverside, we will pick up garbage (so bring a garbage bag or two) and also play sports (so bring frisbees, balls, whatever).

Walking Distance: about 10KM

April 23 (Saturday) – The Shinjuku International Friendship Party from 6:30-9:30pm at the Nishi Shinjuku Hotel’s Rooftop Terrace

For JAMBO members, the cost is 3,500 yen for men and 3,000 yen for women w/reservation (or plus 500 yen if you go directly without making a reservation). All drinks, buffet with roast beef and party cake from Kyle’s Good Finds Bakery included. Reservations can be made with David by April 22.

Half of your admission fee will go for the earthquake relief efforts.

So you can have an enjoyable evening and help a good cause at the same time.

If you’d like to go with David, please meet at the Shinjuku West Exit police box at 6:15PM on the 23rd.

April 17 (Sunday) – Chichibu Hiking & Cherry Blossom Viewing (Participation Fee – 500 yen)(Intermediate) (Cancelled in case of rain) HALFNEW!

Meet at the Seibu Chichibu Line’s Musashi Yokote Station’s Ticket Gate at 10:18. From Ikebukuro, take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line’s Semi Express train at 9:05 to Hanno (arriving at Hanno at 10:01) and change here for the Seibu Chichu Line’s train, leaving Hanno at 10:04. This train arrives at Musashi Yokote Station at 10:15. Be sure to arrive on this train as we will be unable to wait for the next one.

[map]
musashiyokote station, japan
[/map]

People going from Ikebukuro Station can meet in the front car of the Seibu Ikebukuro Line train at 9:05.

The hike will be Musashi Yokote Station – Gojonotaki Waterfall – Kamakita Lake (Lunch & Cherry Blossom Viewing) – Yugate tea plantation mountain – Higashi Agano Station

The hiking time is about 4.5 hours. There are 100 cherry trees on Kamakita Lake, which should be in bloom at this time.