Hakuba.
One way to beat the mid-August heat of Shizuoka (and most other places in Japan). Head to the mountains. The tall ones. The ones they call ALPS. That’s what me and my buddy Kelly did. He came by train from Nagoya. From Shizuoka, the drive, in the Aqua, was a wee bit over four hours. In Hakuba, leftover souvenirs from the 1998 Olympics can still be bought.
The trail up Mt. Shirouma (Mt. White Horse), from Sarugura, brings you to a trudge, of two hours or so, through a valley of icy, rippled snow. Bright and sunny–and cool. Above the snow and ice awaits a bright, sun-drenched field of flowers. It’s a climb, make no mistake, but the flowers keep you company for a good hour and a half. Above the field, it’s still a good ways up to the peak at 2932 meters.
Up the snow and ice
A green field of flowers waits–
Bold faces unite.
Climb. Drink from the stream. Think big thoughts. Dream. Wonder. Read a paragraph or two from The Upanishads. Out loud.
But pack practically. You need to strap climbing irons to your boots when you walk the “snow valley.” Unless you like to slip and slide–and risk your neck and knees with every step. Some people do. Some people did.
Hey, thanks for your message. M told me that her favorite was the purple ones at the top on the right.
Great pictures! Did you get one of the whole field?
The “whole” field was huge, but there are some “green” shots, if that’s what you mean. Stay tuned.
Wingman, you and your friends’ faces are much more beautiful than these flowers.
Steve, your words and pictures really inspire me to see more of Japan, and have fewer holidays abroad. The mountains and their wild flowers look amazing!
Thanks, James. Vacations abroad, vacations here in Japan, there’s a lot to see just about wherever you go–as long as you’ve got your eyes open and you LOOK (he says, trying to sound Emersonian). But those northern Japanese Alps are something special. The brilliant blue of the sky (on a clear day) really brings out the vibrancy of the green of the fields and the colors of all the various flowers. If you go to see for yourself . . . don’t forget your boot irons!
You iron your boots! That’s taking neatness a bit too far isn’t it?