Straight into the mountain views as we climbed back up to Sekiyama town and joined a reasonably busy highway.
(Rachel’s photo.)
Turning off the highway gave a quiet road to the deserted summer playground of Lake Nojiro. Seems to have mammoth history; alas too early for the museum to be open.
Crossing the highway, it was quiet through Shinano town as the climbing continued. We joined the Japanese Alps cycling route and soon found a cyclist station. Most of numerous roadside stalls in the area closed, but we got some produce (well, one apple was enough…) and found gelato next door.
(Rachel’s photo.)
The Tokugashi mountains, as well as being beautiful, are some of the most spiritually important in the country – the popularity was understandable. A vast campground was much busier than most we’d seen since peak summer season had recently finished. Unfortunately it was too early in the day to stay there.
For a change there were some dirt trails as we completed the short descent to Tokugashi village – known for its impressive temples and cedar trees.
The steep descent continued as we tried to find somewhere to picnic, strangely failing at first attempt due to some private land. But shortly after turning back into the climbing we found a mountain stream to lunch beside and try to finish that giant apple.
A couple of steeper climbs (especially loaded with overnight food supplies) for the rest of the afternoon taking us through mountain villages, forest and rice fields with changing views of the mountains.
At Ogawa, about 1000 m, we found a large park and small campground over the road from a hotel. All closed, but still serviceable – we camped for the night in the large barbecue shelter.
Forgot to bring our clubs.
Observatory was a good sign, but it clouded over before we got any stargazing in.
Some company keeping an eye on us as we cooked a tasty dinner of meatballs, aubergine on soba noodles.
Due a good sleep after one our bigger days climbing of the trip – all worth it, and it was only 1600 m after all.