Yesterday we ventured further north. We took a 3-hour train ride to the city of Yamagata which is known for hot springs, hiking and ski resorts. (BTW, I read that they filmed the movie "Departures" there which won the Oscar for best foreign language film 2009). After the train trip, we took a 45-minute bus ride to the base of the ski resort, Mt. Zao. THEN, we rode two gondolas up the mountain to the top, Mt. Sanpokojin, where we started our hike. (We were pretty tired of sitting all this time and were ready to stretch our legs).
View from the gondola
View from Mt. Sanpokojin
Jizoson Shrine at the top of Mr. Sanpolojin
Amazing fall colors
Can't resist these views...
And what a stretch! We followed a path about an hour to the ridge of the mountain, above the tree line to Mt. Kumano about 1800 meters. It was very windy and cold (13 degrees C.) and we really needed our jackets. But it was soooo worth it: from the top of the ridge, you could see this amazing volcanic caldera filled with light green water. Yes, the picture here is accurate: the water was REALLY that color (we did not use Photoshop to enhance it). So striking.
Okama (Volcano Lake)
Windy and cold, but worth it
I couldn't resist adding this picture. On our way down the mountain in the gondala, this woman had her precious dog in a baby backpack. (A pampered dog wearing Pampers, I think). I had to touch the fur and have never felt anything so soft and fluffy. Not only that, but the dog had on a dress plus a pearl necklace. It's what all dogs should be wearing on a hike, no? Believe it...or not.
View from the gondola
View from Mt. Sanpokojin
Jizoson Shrine at the top of Mr. Sanpolojin
Can't resist these views...
Okama (Volcano Lake)
Windy and cold, but worth it
I couldn't resist adding this picture. On our way down the mountain in the gondala, this woman had her precious dog in a baby backpack. (A pampered dog wearing Pampers, I think). I had to touch the fur and have never felt anything so soft and fluffy. Not only that, but the dog had on a dress plus a pearl necklace. It's what all dogs should be wearing on a hike, no? Believe it...or not.
The landscape is so beautiful and varied. Thank you for sharing your photos of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd, as for the last one, as someone who has recently become involved in animal rescue, it could certainly be worse.
Thanks for keeping us posted (literally). Your photos are amazing and the trip sounds so exciting. Laurie, in your spare time see if you can find a Zumba class; it is so funny in Japanese. Did I tell you I started teaching? If you don't know what it is, go to "ZumbaContraCosta.com" and to find a class local to you, go to Zumba.com. BTW, Lee is studying Japanese this year! I guess you can write each other directly in your new native tongue.
ReplyDeleteOh, forgot to say, Chag Sameach ve gamar chatimah tovah!. Happy Sukkot, too!
ReplyDeleteFrom the photos the view was worth all the effort.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note - if you have a chance can you ask some of your contacts what the job market is like for a soon to be college grad wanting to teach English in Japan ?
Thanks ! xxxooo M&M