Mostly Japanese Mountains: mountain bike

Hello Cavepoops--I mean, peeps. Eeps, I mean Oops.

When I was so crazy about Mt. Kumotori, I took a bike ride to the area once. I started from my home in Akishima, Tokyo and headed toward Okutama along Ome Kaido and Okutama Kaido. Eventually, I passed Lake Okutama and entered the forest. For the last 10 km, I rode along the forestry road and finally the hiking trail to the Sanjo no Yu. That is really the limit that a bicycle could go. Actually, to get to the point I did get, I had to carry my bike over rocks or log bridges at more than one point.

Area:

Location:

Sanjo no Yu

Map:

Online Interactive Topo Map of Sanjo no Yu

***The Caveman gave up on posting links to Yama to Kogen maps. They are great maps but the publisher updates them almost annually and the links die. Comment if you want me to get you a link to the latest Yama to Kogen map.

Starting and stopping points: My old abode in Akishima

Peaks bagged: none

Getting there/getting around:

I started pedaling the minute I left my home.

Helpful Info

Weather Information:

Tenki to Kurasu site (Japanese forecast)

Mountain-forecast.com (English Site)

Time and distance

Total Time: 8:59 Break time: :08 Distance: 133km

Elevation: Lowest: 104 m Highest: 1,102m Total Ascent: 6,373m Total Descent: 6,373m

Technical considerations/difficulty:

Be careful on the trail. It's not for bicycles. Be very courteous to any hikers if you come across any.

Facilities:

The Sanjo no Yu is a mountain hut. It does have a hotspring bath but it is a mountain lodge accessible only on foot after a long hike (or bike ride for cheeky visitors.) You can stay there in the lodge or at one of their campsites by the stream outside. The Sanjo no Yu is used by many people on their way to, or back from, Mt. Kumotori.

Thoughts/observations/recommendations:

That was fun!

One of the ways that I got the hiking bug was doing things like this.

My Japanese outdoor adventures started small. A short dayhike here or there was all I'd tried for years. Then, I got a bicycle after not really having one for a long time. I started riding on the roads around western Tokyo where I lived and worked. Then one day, for some reason, I left the pavement and got on a gravel road. I didn't realize just then but what I had gotten on was called a "rindo", (林道), a forestry road. I followed that road until it ended and realized that I was near the top of a mountain I knew! I got off the bike and cut across country the last bit to the top of a mountain. Oila. A knew hobby of mine was born. I call it hikeling. So, after spending a lot of time around Mt. Kumotori and looking at maps, I realized I could get to nearby Sanjo no Yu by pedal power. Once I realized that, I had to do it.

Let's look at some pictures.

Mt. Kumotori is the mountain at the top left of the map. 雲取山

The floating Miyama Bridge across Lake Okutama.

Lake Okutama

Yes, I crossed that bridge.

(No, I wasn't riding!)

Inside the Sanjo no Yu

It's a happening spot.

They sell deer jerky. I thought that was cool.

Well, that's it for the Sanjo no Yu.

And that's it for this collection of posts about nearby Mt. Kumotori.

If you want to see one of those, check out

Caveman's 1st hike to Kumotori

Bullied by Bambi

Kumotori from the Great White North

It was a gorgeous spring day in western Tokyo. Rather than a hike, I grabbed my binos and headed for a bike ride to the trails around Sayama and Tama Lakes. There are enough trails between and around those lakes to keep one occupied for a few hours. Some of the views are really great, too.

This map is one that I encountered inside the Rokudoyama Park. Notice the orientation of North is down. That drives me crazy.

One reason for this trip is that the Rokudoyama Park (六道山公園) in Mizuho is home to one of Kanto's 100 best views of Mt Fuji. At least that's what this plaque claims. I've been here many, many times but it seems like I never get to make this trek when the skies are clear. So happy about the visibility today.

This is what the Rokudoyama Park Observatory looks like from below.

It was a crystal clear day so I was happy to catch these views from the top.

I really like this sign on the wall of the observatory. I have climbed all but maybe 5 of the mountains on it. It's nice to be able to see them lined up in front of me.

(You can also see downtown Tokyo and Skytree from this observatory.)

Another vantage point in the forest overlooks Yokota Air Base and I was able to see flight operations. I live on the other side of Yokota under the flight path. I don't often get to see takeoffs and landings.

From the Rokudoyama Park, I rode through the trails on the north side of the lakes and then turned right at the far end of Tama Lake and circled back before heading home. This ride takes in parts of Mizuho, Tokorozawa, Higashi Yamato and Murayama. On the way I skirted the Metlife (Seibu) Dome--where the Lions play--and Seibu Amusement Park. One of the cool things about the path where it passes alongside the lakes is that there are more signs identifying what mountains you can see in the distance.

I've climbed all but one of those. So many good memories. This sign is on Tama Lake.

Here is what the sign is expressing.

I thought there might have been a game going on when I took this because I could hear the P.A. system. I think it was just a test, though. Opening day is a few weeks away.

This dome makes a great landmark when looking down from the mountains.