Time to catch up on things with some more older photos. Here we have a trip up to the top of Mt. Tsukuba from back in May. I wrote a piece about Tsukba-san's touge on Speedhunters a few weeks ago, but the area is also a popular destination for people looking to take in some scenic views and fresh mountain air.
Many times when traveling to and from Tokyo on the Tsukuba Express, I see people on the train wearing full "wilderness gear" and it's obvious that these people are Tokyo residents heading to and from Mt. Tsukuba.
This was actually my first trip up to the top of the mountain and I ended up really impressed (and exhausted) after the trip.
Anyways, a few photos-
After a quick drive up the mountain, you get to the "main" area with hotels, a temple, plus some shops and other things.
Pretty awesome tree.
I guess this is the sort of scene that comes to people's minds when they hear "Japan".
Huge shrine.
From there, to get it up to the top of the mountain you have to take this cable car.
The grade is REALLY steep. Kinda makes you dizzy. It was a very cool experience.
Passing another cable car headed down the hill.
The cable car takes you up to the main summit of the mountain where there is a restaurant and a small snack bar that serves up some mean ice cream.
If you want to go to the REAL top of the mountain, you have continue with a small hike up this trail. Some of the climbing involved some rocks that looked like they could be pretty dangerous if an accident were to happen. Adventure right?
And finally up to the top.
Another shrine up at the peak.
Apparently you can see as far as Tokyo and Mt. Fuji from up here on a clear day. On this hazy day we could only see as far Tsukuba City though. You probably have to go during the winter to get the really awesome view.
Well, there's a trip to Mt. Tsukuba in nut shell. A few more pics can be found here.
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