1) September 1-2 (Sat~Sun) World Heritage Mt Fuji climb is CANCELED due to bad weather.

2) September 1 – Arakawa River Clean Up & Picnic

We will met at Minami-Sunamachi Station (on the Tozai Line) outside of Exit 3 at 9:30a.m., and then go to the Arakawa River by car and pick up trash along the banks for about 2.5 hours. Afterwards we will have a picnic along the river at a nearby park.

All food and drinks will be provided for the picnic. Admission Y1,000 to cover the cost of food and drinks (+Y500 or Y1,500 for people drinking beer or wine). The picnic should finish between 3:00 and 3:30.

Recommended: Hat, 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 alongside the Tozai Line and go to the water where the Tozai Line Bridge crosses the river and look for us along the water line. 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.

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

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

Meeting Place/Time: Hanno Station ticket gate at 10:44

Course: Hanno Station – Mt. Tenran – Mt. Tonosu – Iruma River (Swimming & river fun) – Hanno Station

Walking time: About 3.5 hours

From Ikebukuro, take the Seibu Ikebukuro (Semi-Express) Line’s 9:50AM train and get off at Hanno Station, arriving there at 10:42AM. Make sure to get on this train as we cannot wait for the next one.

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

Since we’ll be swimming in the river, also bring your swimsuit and towel.

(Participation Fee 1000 yen)(Not Difficult) (In case of rain, the event will be held on September 24 (Monday))

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 9:55AM.  From Shinjuku, take the JR Holiday Special Rapid Okutama#5 (going to Okutama, leaving from platform 7) at 8:19AM.  This arrives at Okutama Station at 9:54.  Be sure to arrive on this train as we will be unable to wait for the next one, since we take the 10:05 bus to Okutama Lake.

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

At the end of the hike, we can go to the Tama River for a short swim and/or go to a new Craft Beer Bar near the station.

Course (from Okutama Station): Okutama Station (by bus – 15 minutes)   – Okutama Lake – Old (Therapy) Road – Shidakura Suspension Bridge – Tama River (Swimming) and/or Craft Beer Bar –  Okutama Station

Walking Time: About 5 hours

(FREE, Canceled in case of rain)

Meeting Place and Time: The ticket gate of Nishi Kasai Station (Tozai Line) at 12:00 noon

If you want to eat something during the garbage pick-up time, feel free to bring some food to the river.

SCHEDULE

12:00 – Meet at Nishi Kasai Station (Tozai Line) ticket gate

12:30 – 15:00  – Lunch & Garbage Clean-up under Kasaibashi bridge (Edogawa Ward)(Please bring work gloves if you have them)

15:00 – 16:30 – Walk along the Arakawa River to Kasai Rinkai Park

16:30 – 17:45 – Fun in the Park and Sunset Viewing

Do something good for the environment and join the garbage pick-up. Then, go to one of the best parks in Tokyo, Kasai Rinkai Park, on the Tokyo Bay (eating, drinking, frisbee, seeing the sunset (hopefully).

For those joining along the way or coming to the park later, please contact David at 080-6546-7688.

Environmental Project at Tama Zoo

Cutting down bamboo grass and cutting down old trees

(Cancelled in case of 70% or more chance of rain)  9:30AM – 2:30PM

Cost: FREE

We meet at 9:30AM at the front main entrance of Tama Zoo’s Station (Tama Dobutsukoen).

Take the 8:47AM Keio Line Semi-express from Shinjuku to Takahatafudo (arriving at 9:21AM) and change to the Keio Dobutsu Koen Line train, leaving Takahatafudo at 9:25 and arriving at Tama Dobutsu Koen Station  at 9:28AM.

If you would like to participate, please inform David by October 11 (Thursday) so that we can get volunteer insurance. If you join this event, please bring the following: Long sleeved shirt and long pants (not shorts), work gloves, towel, and appropriate shoes (trekking shoes or hiking boots) are required.

Please bring whatever you want to eat for lunch, and drinks during the work project.

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

Please bring your lunch and drink.

Course: Torisawa Station – Mt. Kuratake – Yanagawa Gorge (for river fun) – Yanagawa Station

Walking time: 4.5 hours

Meeting Time/Place: Torisawa Ticket Gate at 10:45AM 

 Train Schedule 

9:20 Leave Shinjuku Station on the Keio Line (Express going towards Keio Hachioji) 

9:55 Arrive at Kitano and change to the 9:58 Keio Local Line going towards Takaosanguchi

10:08 Arrive at Takao Station and change to the Chuo Line 

10:13  Take the Chuo Line (towards Ootsuki) 

10:43 Arrive at Torisawa Station 

If you’d like to go together from Takao Station,  you can get on the front of the Chuo Line train there at 10:13.

Walking time: about 4.5 hours.

Walking Distance: About 12 KM

Elevation Gain: About 680 meters

(1000 Yen, Canceled in case of rain, Moderate Course)

Meeting place & time: Okutama station ticket gate at 9:55AM

If you go from Shinjuku, take the 8:19 Holiday Express going towards Okutama (leaving from platform 7). Please be sure to take the right train as we cannot wait for the next one. This arrives at Okutama Station at 9:54.

David will get on the front car of this train at Haijima at 9:04.

Course: Okutama station → Atago Shrine →  Nokogiri-yama (1109 meters) → Okutama station

Please wear good shoes, bring lunch and drink.

There is a hot springs near Okutama Station so if you want to go there after the hike, bring a change of clothes and towel (though this is not part of today’s program).

The course is described (in Japanese) on this link:

http://wanderer777.blog120.fc2.com/blog-entry-77.html

Walking time: about 4.5 hours.

Walking Distance: About 13 KM

Elevation Gain: About 760 meters

Cutting down bamboo grass and cutting down old trees

(Cancelled in case of 70% or more chance of rain)  9:30AM – 2:30PM

Cost: FREE

We meet at 9:30AM at the front main entrance of Tama Zoo’s Station (Tama Dobutsukoen).

Take the 8:47AM Keio Line Semi-express from Shinjuku to Takahatafudo (arriving at 9:21AM) and change to the Keio Dobutsu Koen Line train, leaving Takahatafudo at 9:25 and arriving at Tama Dobutsu Koen Station  at 9:28AM.

If you would like to participate, please inform David by November 8 (Thursday) so that we can get volunteer insurance. If you join this event, please bring the following: Long sleeved shirt and long pants (not shorts), work gloves, towel, and appropriate shoes (trekking shoes or hiking boots) are required.

Please bring whatever you want to eat for lunch, and drinks during the work project.

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

Please bring your lunch and drink! (There are no stores near the station)

Meet at the ticket gate of Surugaoyama Station on the Gotemba Line at 11:10AM.

From Shinjuku, take the 9:10 express Odakyuu Line train (going towards Odawara) to Shin-Matsuda (arriving at 10:37AM). Walk to Matsuda Station (which has the JR Gotemba Line) and get on the 10:44 train.  This train arrives at Surugaoyama at 11:09 AM.

(DEFINITELY get on this train because we can’t wait for the next one since they are infrequent.)

We will hike from the station to the beautiful Yuujo Waterfall (where we have lunch), then to the Ashigara Pass, and return to Ashigara Station (on the Gotemba Line).

Walking time: about 4 hours.

Walking Distance: About 13 KM

Elevation Gain: About 500 meters

 (Intermediate) (Participation Fee 1000 yen)

(Canceled in case of rain)

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

Meeting Place & Time: Yorii Station ticket gate at 11:00AM

We will have a 4.5 hour hike that takes us up 2 low mountains and around a big lake (Tsuburada Lake).

Course:  Yorii Station – Mt. Kinsho (330m) – Taisho Pond – Mt. Kanetsukido (247m) – Tsuburada Lake – Mt. Rakan – Yorii Station

From Ikebukuro, take the  Tobu Tojo (Express) Line’s 9:30AM train and get off at Ogawamachi Station, arriving at 10:38AM. Change here to the local train going the same direction towards Yorii, getting on the 10:42 train which arrives at Yorii Station at 10:57AM. Make sure to get on this train as we cannot wait for the next one.

Walking time: about 4.5 hours.

Walking Distance: About 14 KM

(Intermediate) (Participation Fee 1000 yen) (Canceled in case of rain)

We will hike from Sagami Lake to Mt. Takao (about a 4 hour hike). We will then walk from Mt. Takao to Takaosanguchi Station during twilight and early night in the full moonlight, so be ready to HOWL! Please bring a flashlight if you have one (but you can join without one as well, since the down course is relatively well lit).

We will meet at the Sagamiko Station ticket gate at 12.50PM   Please bring your lunch and drink.

Train Schedule

11.52 Leave Shinjuku Station on JR Chuo Express (going towards Takao)

12:32 Arrive at Takao (the last stop)

12.37 Take the JR Chuo Line going towards Kobuchizawa

12.46 Arrive at Sagamiko Station

If you’d like to go with David, please meet at the front car of the Chuo Line train of Takao Station at 12:37.

Walking time: about 4 hours.

Walking Distance: About 13 KM

Elevation Gain: About 470 meters

(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.

(EASY)(￥1000 Participation Fee (Children free)) (Will be held even in light rain)

Meeting Place/Time: Chiyoda Line’s Kasumigaseki Station Exit C4 at 12:00

Course:

12:00 – 13:30 – Walk through Hibiya Park and have lunch (We’ll stop at a convenience store before going to the park if you want to get something)

13:30 – 14:30 – Take a walk around the palace grounds and go to Kita no Maru Park

14:30 – 15:30 – Go to Yasukuni Shrine to see the beautiful line of Gingko trees

15:30 Finish up

The following 2 links show the 2 hotspots on the course, the beautiful maple trees in Hibiya Park and the line  of yellow Gingko trees in Yasukuni Shrine:

http://koyo.walkerplus.com/detail/ar0313e154521/

http://koyo.walkerplus.com/detail/ar0313e154522/

If you come late or can’t find us, please call David at 080-6546-7688.

(Raking leaves, cutting down old trees, carrying logs, chopping wood)

10:00 – 15:30 (There will be a party afterwards for anyone who wants to join)

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

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED by December 6.

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

(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

(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 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)

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: 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) MusashiItsukaichi Hiking & River Sunset

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

Meet at the ticket gate of MusashiItsukaichi Station (on the Itsukaichi Line) at 11:50AM.

From Shinjuku, take the Chuo Line (going towards Oume) at 10:37, arriving at Haijima Station at 11:24. Change to the 11:32JR MusashiItsukaichi Line train (Be sure to get on the part of the train that goes to MusashiItsukaichi), arriving at Itsukaichi Station Station at 11:49AM.

Course: MusashiItsukaichi Station – Komine Park – Cherry tree Ridge (still blooming?) – Kingo Waterfall – Kotokuji Temple – Akigawa Riverside Walk – MusashiItsukaichi Station

Walking Time: about 4 hours

2) Edogawa Garbage Pick-up and Dinner

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

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 (James 090-1847-5075, yaesukita[at]gmail[dot]com) for details if any doubt.

(￥1000 Participation Fee) (Easy)(Cancelled in case of heavy rain)

A certificate of reaching the summit of Mt. Hakone will be issued.

☆Meeting Time/Place: 13:00 JR JR Chuo/Sobu Line Ochanomizu Station Hijiribashi Exit

☆Course: Ochanomizu Station – Yushima Seido – Kanda Shrine – Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens – Kagurazaka – Mt. Hakone (44.6m) – JR Shin-Okubo Station  

Walking & Sightseeing Time: About 3 hours (6km).

☆Leader: Ichikawa Mariko

Any inquiries may be made to

ichi_mariko at yahoo.co.jp 

Please replace at with @.

Don’t forget to whitelist this EM address.

The donation will be given to Riasunomori – an organization in Ishinomaki which works for community development.

http://www.riasnomori.jp

1) Chichibu Hiking

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

Please bring your own food and drinks.

Meet at the Seibu Chichibu Line’s Agano Station’s Ticket Gate at 10:35. From Ikebukuro, take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line’s Express train at 9:20 to Hanno (arriving at Hanno at 10:08) and change here for the Seibu Chichibu Line’s train, leaving Hanno at 10:13. This train arrives at Agano Station at 10:33.  Be sure to arrive on this train as we will be unable to wait for the next one.

The hike will be Agano Station – Maesaka – Mt. Ootaka – Mt. Tenkaku – Higashi Agano Station.

The hiking time is about 4  hours.

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.

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

(Cancelled in case of rain)

 Course:  Toyoda Station – Kurokawa Seiryuu Park – Horinouchi Green Course – TakahataFudo Pagoda  – Mogusadai Nature Park (and Observatory)  – Mogusaen(Plum Tree Park – plum trees and Allspice will hopefully be blooming) – Mogusaen Station (Keio Line)

Walking Time: About 3 Hours (10KM)

From Shinjuku, take the JR Chuo Line (Special Express) train at 11:52AM and get off at Toyoda Station, arriving at 12:21PM. We’ll meet at the ticket gate there at 12:23.

Please take a look at the Mogusaen website:

http://www.keio-mogusaen.jp 

(￥1000 Participation Fee) (Cancelled in case of heavy rain)

Explore the largest Chinatown in Asia. The area provides a wide variety of authentic Chinese food, and attracts many tourists and locals everyday.

☆Meeting Time/Place: 10:00 JR Keihin-Tohoku Line Ishikawacho  Station Chukagai Exit

☆Course:  Ishikawacho Station – Emperor Guan’s Shrine – Masobyo Mausoleum – Yokohama Daisekai – NHK Yokohama Broadcasting Station – Yokohama International Passenger Terminal – Yamashita Park – Yokohama Marine Tower – Motomachi Chukagai Station 

Walking&Sightseeing Time: About 2 hours (4km).

☆The program is ¥1000.

The donation will be given to Riasunomori – an organization in Ishinomaki which works for community development. 

http://www.riasnomori.jp

☆Leader: Ichikawa Mariko

Any inquiries may be made to

ichi_mariko at yahoo.co.jp 

Please replace at with @.

Don’t forget to whitelist this EM address.

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

Recommended: Dress warm for the weather and wear generally older clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Rubber boots or hiking shoes are recommended.

If you come late, walk to the river (about 12-15 min.) 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 park next to the Tozai line just before the river bank has a restroom.

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.

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

Bring your own beverages and food for lunch.

Meeting Place/Time: JR Gotemba Line’s Yamakita Station Ticket Gate at 10:55AM   Train (Make sure to arrive at Yamakita by on this train (or before) as we cannot wait for the next one:   

Shinjuku Station (Odakyu Line Express) 9:10AM  – Shinmatsuda Station (arriving at 10:37) Matsuda Station JR Gotemba Line (10:44)  – Yamakita Station (10:52)   

COURSE: Yamakita Station – Mt. Takamatsu 801M – ShinMatsuda Station (Odakyu Line)

Walking Time: 5 Hours    

Please don’t forget to have your rucksack and tracking shoes to avoid your injury.

(Participation Fee 1000 Yen) (Intermediate) (Cancelled in case of rain)

Bring your own beverages and lunch.

We will meet at the ticket gate of Kori Station at 10:45AM

Train Schedule

9:08 Leave Shinjuku Station on the Chuo Line Express to Oume (Probably on Platform 12) 

10:07 Arrive at Oume Station, cross the platform and take the Oume Line train 

10:13 Depart Oume station (train going towards Okutama) 

10:43 Arrive at Kori

Course: Kori Station – Oonara Pass – Mitsukama Waterfalls (beautifully frozen if it’s cold) – Okutama Station

The walking time will be about 5 hours.

As we can go to a Hot Springs after the hike, please bring a change of clothes and a towel!

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.

 (Planting mushroom spores, carrying logs, chopping wood, plum blossom viewing) 

 10:00 – 15:30

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

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED by March 7.

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