23/03/2023
Apr 15,16: Easy Day Hike Myougi San (妙義山- 桜) Cherry Blossom, Rocks + Overnight Option. Now +17 People
RSVP on Facebook is not accepted - comment ok though. To sign up for this you will need to go to the club website:
http://outdoorclubjapan.com
UPDATE 6: Read bottom about early bloom time and options - 8th or 22nd or Keep 15th. We can still keep the 15th as maybe Yaezakura will be open then if Somei Yoshino full bloom is the 6th (usually 10 days to 2 weeks later).
People signed up so far, total=17 . OCJ=7; Andy, Chika, Hiro, SusanaK, Husband + 2 ...
Other website sign up= 9; Masashi, Steve, Mary, Koji, Aniello D. Magdalena I, chun fai hung, Anya M, Grace, Chandan,
Reply if doing 1 day or overnight sleep in the park.
Sleep out under sakura; Andy, Chikat, Hiro, Steve, Aniello D, ...
Typical train departure time fixed at 0835 using Ueno station Takasaki line. Meet at Matsuida station 1047.
The date could change by a week depending on the blossom time.
Title: Apr 15,16th: 1 Day Easy Hike Myougi San (妙義山- 桜) Cherry Blossom, Rocks + Overnight Sleep Out Option Under Cherry Blossom and Mountain Azaleas
Photos from previous events here:
https://outdoorclubjapan.com/photos/index.php?/category/22
Myougi San ( 妙義山, 1,100m) is a unique rock formation from a prehistoric undersea volcano. There are many unusual rock pinnacles and wafer thin ridges with holes through. The harder routes are used for alpine training.
Over 40 different types of cherry tree and over 20,000 cherry trees in this area.
There are thousands of cherry trees in bloom at this time in the park in front of the mountain and wild ones on the mountain - a fantastic sight. Also mountain azaleas (つつじ) of different colours.
1 Day Hiking Route
A. 3 Hours 20 Minutes
Matsuida station at 10.47am - start walk at 11am past old farmhouses to Myougi shrine. Then hiking trail to rocks near Nakanotake shrine.
B. About 1 hour
Around the rocks, shrine, lower hiking trail for more rocks.
C. Relax in the cherry blossom park with mountain view.
Probably around 4pm by then. I suggest staying in the park till at least 4.40pm or 5.30pm. Sunset is 6.15pm so getting dark after 6.30pm.
D. One day hikers return by themselves - big group maybe...
Quick about 1.5 hours, slow around 2 hours.
I can show you a short cut then it is a simple downhill road walk back to Matsuida station. Will not be so dark but carry an LED light.
It is about 8km -usual walking speed is 6km per hour.
If you leave around 4.40pm you should be at the station for the 1858 train. Leave at 5.30pm for the 1940 train.
1858 train from Matsuida - Takasaki - Ueno at 2108.
1940 train ... Ueno at 2210.
2025 train ... Ueno at 2253.
Check the timetable yourself!
E. Overnight Option Sleeping Out
Those who decide to stay will sleep out at a shelter area or under trees in the park (unofficial so we keep a low profile). Just plastic sheet, mat, sleeping bag - no tents allowed. LED light and food that you need (carry). Only a souvenir shop at the shrine.
Enjoy the evening and cook dinner. Hot spiced wine or warm sake on option if people bring.
There are toilets and water supply there.
Sunday
Overnight people can return early or join an extra day hike in the area - I have planned a few options.
Things to Bring (持参もの)
Depends on the weather forecast but these are the essentials:
1 Day
Proper hiking footwear and outdoor clothing. Warm clothing for cool evenings.
Food for the day.
Water bottle - at least 1L (you can refill there). LED headlight advised if dark on the way back to the station.
Overnight
Sleeping bag for 5C-10C, sleeping mat, plastic sheet under mat (slightly larger better). NO TENTS ALLOWED.
Food for evening as well and breakfast and Sunday lunch if you are hiking Sunday.
Some people will have camp cooking stoves so it should be possible to get hot water (no fires are allowed). If you have a stove - bring it.
Event Grade (イベント等級) See the info section for details.
1 day hike is graded Fitness 1-2 Easy to Moderate. Total with road walk back is about 5-6 hours.
Technical grade is easy - suitable for low level hikers. This does not include climbing up the rocks... some people do.
Sunday hike will be easy to moderate fitness grade 4-6 hours depending on the route. Technical grade 2 - above beginner, but should not be difficult.
Travel Details, Meeting Time & Place (旅行の詳細, 集合時間と場所)
Meet at Matsuida station (松井田駅) at 1047am (train arrival time). Takes about 2 hours 20 minutes and costs around 2,300 yen from Tokyo.
All trains from Shinjuku or Ueno go to Takasaki then change to Yokokawa line.
Maybe we can meet on the train - typical details for Ueno attached.
From JR Ueno station at 0835 - Takasaki train. Be there early as the only backup option is the shinkansen train.
We usually meet near the front of the train.
You can use the live chat to talk to people. Log in and see mChat top menu.
Cost
Pay your own food and travel etc.
Organisation fee - just the 1 day hike and return yourself then 2,000yen (cash - prepare exact change please).
If overnight an extra 1,000yen. Sunday hike extra 2,000yen.
Cancellation or Changes
If bad weather this event might be changed or cancelled. We will know 2-3 days before and can discuss on the website. There is also a possibility of change if the flowers bloom at a different time. Usually middle of April and again at Golden Week (different type of cherry).
If early then maybe the second type of cherry will be open.
