We will meet at the south gate of AikoIshida Station at 9:00AM or the ticket gate of ShinMatsuda Station (on the Odakyu Line) at 11:55 AM.

8:01 Depart Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line (Express)
8:57　Arrive at AikoIshida Station

If you’d like to go from Shinjuku, get on the front of the 8:01 Odakyu Line train at Shinjuku Station.
David will get on the first car at the next station (Yoyogi Uehara).

For those joining us from Shin Matsuda, please take the following train:

10:30 Depart Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line (Express)
11:53　Arrive at Shin Matsuda

COURSE: AikoIshida Station – Isehara Iris Village (a 30 minute walk from the station) – AikoIshida Station – Shin Matsuda Station (by train) – Mt. Matsuda Herb Garden – Saimei Temple Park – Kaisei Hydrongea Village – Shin Matsuda Station

[map]
愛甲石田駅
新松田駅
[/map]

At the Isehara Iris Village, there are about 20,000 irises.（http://www.enjoytokyo.jp/amuse/event/337489/）

At the Kaisei Hydrongea Village, tehre are about 5,000 hydrongea.（http://www.enjoytokyo.jp/amuse/event/443628/）

Walking time: About 5 hours

Please bring your lunch and drinks.

2 Rapeseed Blossom Hot Spots & Mt. Oogusu Hiking!

(Bring your own food and drink for the hike)

We will meet at the ticket gate of Kinugasa Station at 10:30AM.　From Shinbashi, take the JR Tokaido Line train (going towards Odawara) at 9:07. This arrives at Totsuka at 9:42. Change at Totsuka and get on the 9:45 JR Yokosuka Line train (going towards Zushi), arriving at Zushi at 10:02. At Zushi, change to the JR Yokosuka Line train (going towards Kurihama) leaving at 10:10 and arriving at Kinugasa Station at 10:25.

If you want to ride with David and others, please get on the front car of the 9:45 Yokosuka Line train at Totsuka.

Hiking Course: Kinugasa Station – Kinugasa Park – Mt. Oogusu – Koyasu no Sato Park – Zushi Station (by bus or on foot)
The hike itself is about 5 hours.

Both Mt. Oogusu and Koyasu no Sato are famous for their rapeseed blossoms during this time of year.　

Here’s the hiking course (in Japanese):
http://www.k-hiking.jp/yokosuka-miura/kinugasajo-ogusu_02.htm
http://www.cocoyoko.net/koyasunosato/index.html

[map]
安針塚駅
[/map]

(723 Meters)

Bring appropriate walking shoes, food for lunch and drinks.

Meeting Place/Time: JR Gotemba Line’s Yaga Station Ticket Gate at 10:12AM

Take the following trains !
Shinjuku Station (Odakyu Line Express going towards Fujisawa) 8:20AM – SagamiOono Station (arriving at 8:58)
SagamiOono ((Odakyu Line Express going towards Odawara) – 9:03 Departure, arriving at ShinMatsuda at 9:43
Matsuda Station JR Gotemba Line (9:57 Departure) – Yaga Station (10:09)
DEFINITELY arrive at this time (since we cannot wait for the next train since they run infrequently)!

If you’d like to go from Shinjuku, get on the front of the 8:20 Odakyu Line train at Shinjuku Station.
David will get on the first car at the next station (Yoyogi Uehara).

Walking Time: About five and a half hours

Course: Yaga Station – Mt. Ohno – Shasui Waterfall – Yamakita Station and Hot Springs

This course includes the Shasui Waterfall (one of Japan ‘s top 100 waterfalls).
http://www.mori-taki-nagisa.jp/100/waterfall/013.html
(Shasui Waterfall)

As we will go to a Hot Springs after the hike, please bring a change of clothes and a towel if you’d like to join!
　
[map]
山北駅
[/map]

Therapy Road Hiking and Okutama Lake 
 
Please take a look at http://4travel.jp/traveler/airpentaro/album/10398206/ for details of this walk (in Japanese)
 
Meet at the JR Ohme Line’s Okutama Station’s Ticket Gate at 10:25AM.  From Shinjuku, take the JR Holiday Special Rapid Okutama#5 (going to Okutama) at 8:47AM.  This arrives at Okutama Station at 10:24.  Be sure to arrive on this train as we will be unable to wait for the next one.
 
Meet on the front of the 8:47 train at Shinjuku if you want to go from there there.  David will get on the first car of the same train at Nakano Station.
 
Please wear appropriate shoes (tennis shoes, hiking boots), bring a lunch to eat on the mountain, and plenty of liquids.
 
Course (from Okutama Station): Old (Therapy) Road – Shidakura Suspension Bridge – Water & Greenery Exhibit Building  – Okutama Station (by bus – 15 minutes)
 
Walking Time: About 5 hours

(1000 yen Participation Fee + 500 yen for Ajisai Park)

(Bring your own beverages and lunch box)

Meet at the ticket gate of Akigawa Station (on the Itsukaichi Line) at 10:03AM.  
From Shinjuku, take the Chuo Line (Special Express going towards Oume) at 9:09 , arriving at Haijima Station at 9:47AM.  Change to the 9:52 JR Itsukaichi Line train, arriving at Akigawa Station at 10:01.
David will get on the front of the Itsukaichi Line train at Haijima at 9:52AM.

Course:　Akigawa Station – SummerLand Family Park’s Hydrangea Park – Akigawa Hill Course – Mt. Benten – MusashiItsukaichi Station
We’ll look for swimming places along the river so, if you want to swim, please bring your swimsuit.

Walking Time: about 4 hours
あじさい園：http://www.enjoytokyo.jp/amuse/event/335377/

Please take a look at http://4travel.jp/traveler/airpentaro/album/10398206/ for details of this walk (in Japanese)
 
Meet at the JR Ohme Line’s Okutama Station’s Ticket Gate at 10:25AM.  From Shinjuku, take the JR Holiday Special Rapid Okutama#5 (going to Okutama) at 8:47AM.  This arrives at Okutama Station at 10:23.  Be sure to arrive on this train as we will be unable to wait for the next one, since we will be taking the 10:30 bus from just outside the station.
 
Meet on the front of the 8:47 train at Shinjuku if you want to go from there there.  David will get on the first car of the same train at Nakano Station.
 
Please wear appropriate shoes (tennis shoes, hiking boots), bring a lunch to eat on the mountain, and plenty of liquids and a swimsuit if you want to swim.
 
Course (from Okutama Station): Okutama Station – Okutama Lake (by bus – 15 minutes) – Old (Therapy) Road – Shidakura Suspension Bridge – Tama Rive (SWIM) – Okutama Station
 
Walking Time: About 5 hours

PART 1 – The hike is not so difficult and is about a 4 hour walk. We meet at Hinatawada Station at 10:18AM. Take the 9:09 Special Express train going towards Oume from Shinjuku Station. . This is the Chuo Line but may be on a separate track as it’s a special train.  PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!! This arrives at Ome Station at 10:10.  Get off and go across the platform and take the 10:11 train towards Okutama. This train arrives at Hinatawada Station at 10:16. Be sure to arrive by this time since we will be unable to wait for the next train.

If you’d like to go from Shinjuku, get on the front of the 9:09 Chuo Line train at Shinjuku Station.
David will get on the first car at the next station (Nakano).

From here, we hike up Mt. Mimuro (647 meters) – Mt. Atago (584 meters), and then go down to Ikusabata Station and take a short river walk to Sawai Station.

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

PART 2 – Restaurant, Christmas Light-up and Fireworks!!!

Cost: Your food and drink, and 410 yen to enter the park

Meeting Place and Time: The ticket gate of Tachikawa Station (on the Chuo Line) at 15:55

We will go to a restaurant (Saizeria?) for eats and drinks. After that, we will get to Showa Kinen Park at around 18:00. It has a beautiful Christmas light-up and a fireworks display at 20:10. Please take a look at: http://xmas.walkerplus.com/detail/ar0313il17382/

(Bring your own beverages and lunch box)

We will meet at the Chichibu Railway’s Wadoukuroya Station’s ticket gate at 10:10AM or on the front car of the Seibu Ikebukuro Line at Ikebukuro Station at 8:05AM. Take the 8:05AM Seibu Ikebukuro Line express train (going towards Nagatoro) at Ikebukuro Station. This arrives at WadouKuroya at 10:07. Be sure to arrive by this time since we will be unable to wait for the next train.

Actual walking time is about 3.5 hours.

Course: WadouKuroya Station – Hijiri Shrine – Cherry Tree Lined Hiking Path – MinoYama Park Mountain Top (Cherry blossom viewing and picnic for a few hours) – Wadou Ruins – WadouKuroya Station
 
Meet on the front of the 8:05 train at Ikebukuro if you want to go from there.

MinoYama Park is famous for having about 100 varieties of cherry trees, with approximately 8000 trees in all. FANTASTIC!!!
http://www.enjoytokyo.jp/amuse/event/572855/

Bring your own beverages and food for lunch.

We will meet at the ticket gate of Ogose at 9:55AM.　From Ikebukuro, take the Tobu Tojo Line’s Express Train at 8;42 and　change at Sakado (arriving here at 9:26) to the Tobu　Ogose Line. Take the 9:35AM Tobu Ogose Line train to the end (Ogose　Station). It arrives at Ogose at 9:53AM.　From here, we hike by a nice temple, up and down a few small mountains, and down to Ogose Plum Tree Park, which should be in bloom and　has　1,000 trees, with some being 600 years old.
 
The walking time itself is about 5 hours.　Should　be a lot of fun! The train fare is 720 Yen one-way.　
 
If you’d like to go from Ikebukuro, get on the front of the 8:42 train at Ikebukuro Station.

Enjoy walking in the Tama area’s most popular walking course!
 
Meet at the Keiou Line’s MinamiOosawa Station’s ticket gate at 10:30AM.

Take the Keiou Express (going towards Hashimoto) from Shinjuku Station at 9:52AM. This arrives at MinamiOosawa at 10:26AM.

Course: MinamiOosawa Station – Shimizu Green Road – Yokoyama Green Road – Wakabadai Station (Keiou Line)

It’s a fairly easy 5-6 hour event (about 15 KM) with a lot of greenery.
 
Take a look at
http://www.city.tama.lg.jp/16852/14/1050/002154.html
http://www.city.tama.lg.jp/dbps_data/_material_/localhost/08toshikankyo/50midoritokankyo/park/yokoyama1.pdf
for some of this course’s details (in Japanese) and pictures.
 
Bring your own beverages and lunch box and backpack.

(1000 yen Participation Fee + 600 yen for Ajisai Park)

(Bring your own beverages and lunch box)

Meet at the ticket gate of Akigawa Station (on the Itsukaichi Line) at 9:58AM.  
From Shinjuku, take the Chuo Line (Special Express going towards Takao) at 8:54, arriving at Kokubunji Station at 9:14AM.  Change to the 9:16 JR Chuo Line train (going towards Oume), and take it to Haijima (arriving at 9:36). Change in Haijima to the JR Itsukaichi Line, leaving Haijima at 9:46 and arriving at Akigawa Station at 9:55.
David will get on the front of the Itsukaichi Line train at Haijima at 9:46AM.

Course:　Akigawa Station – SummerLand Family Park’s Hydrangea Park – Akigawa Hill Course – Mt. Benten – MusashiItsukaichi Station

We’ll look for swimming places along the river so, if you want to swim, please bring your swimsuit.

Walking Time: about 4 hours
あじさい園：http://www.enjoytokyo.jp/amuse/event/335377/

Meet at the ticket gate of MusashiItsukaichi Station (the last stop of the Itsukaichi Line) at 10:50AM.

From Shinjuku, take the Chuo Line (Express going towards Takao) at 9:37, arriving at Tachikawa Station at 10:11AM. Change to the Oume Line, leaving Tachikawa at 10:18. This train arrives at Haijima at 10:29. Get off there and change to the 10:32 (JR Itsukaichi Line) train and take this to MusashiItsukaichi (the last stop), arriving at 10:49AM.　

David will get on the front of the Oume Line train at Haijima at 10:32AM.
 
Course: MusashiItsukaichi Station – Mt. Konpira – HoshiTake Line – Akikawa River (we will swim and play along the river as we walk back to the station (along road and river) – MusashiItsukaichi Station
 
Walking Time: about 4 hours

Bring your swimsuit if you want to swim!

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

We will meet at the ticket gate of Kitakamakura　Station (on the Yokosuka Line) at 12:35PM.　From Yokohama Station, take the 12:12PM Yokosuka Line train (towards Zushi).  This arrives at Kitakamakura at 12:32.

Hiking Course  – Kitakamakura Station – Genjiyama Park – “Wash your Money” Cave Shrine – Kamakura Beach (Sunset?) – Kamakura Station

(Should be a pretty easy hike)

There are nice fall colors around a few of the shrines/temples and in Genjiyama Park.

(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.

1) Mt. Otakatori hiking/Ogose Plum Blossom Festival

Cancelled in case of rain)(Not Difficult Course)

 (1000 yen Participation Fee + 300 yen Park entrance fee)

Bring your own beverages and food for lunch, or you can get food/drink at the festival.

We will meet at the ticket gate of Ogose at 10:00AM.　From Ikebukuro, take the Tobu Tojo Line’s Express Train at 9:00 and change at Sakado (arriving here at 9:37) to the Tobu　Ogose Line.  HURRY to take the 9:39AM Tobu Ogose Line train to the end (Ogose　Station).  It arrives at Ogose at 9:57AM.　From here, we hike to Ogose Plum Tree Park, which should be in bloom and has 1,000 trees, with some being 600 years old. We’ll enjoy the festival and have lunch there. Then we hike up and down a few small mountains and then down to a temple before returning to Ogose Station. 

The walking time itself is about 4-5 hours.

Please don’t forget to have your rucksack and exercise shoes or hiking boots to avoid your injury.

Please take a look at the websites (in Japanese)

http://www.town.ogose.saitama.jp/kankonavi/matsuri/umematuri/1549260022397.html 

http://www.town.ogose.saitama.jp/kankonavi/matsuri/umematuri/1547615314426.html

2)  Arakawa River Clean Up 

We will meet at NISHI KASAI Station (Tozai Line) outside the only ticket gate for exits 1 and 2 at 12:00noon., and then go to the Arakawa River by car and pick up trash along the banks for about 3 to 3.5 hours. Afterwards we go to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

Recommended: Dress warm and rubber boots are recommended. Also wear generally older clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty.

If you come late, walk to the river (about 20 min to our location) and look for us at the water line near the Tozai Line bridge. Also call my cell phone 090-1847-5075 if there are any problems finding us.

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.