/r/thisisosaka
This is the sub-reddit for the hiking/walking group going by the name This is Osaka!
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🌞 Hiking Weather: Fumin no Mori, Ikoma – Nov 30, 2024 – Perfect Day to Hit the Trails!
Hike Status
✅ ON: The weather looks great with mostly sunny skies and no rain in the forecast. Perfect day for hiking!
Fumin no Mori near Ikoma on Saturday, November 30, 2024. Here's the latest weather forecast to help you prepare if you're heading out with us!
Weather Forecast
Conditions: Mostly sunny
Temperature Range: High: 12°C (54°F), Low: -1°C (31°F)
Precipitation: No significant rain expected
Wind: Light winds
Visibility: Clear
Recommendations for a Safe Hike
Clothing: Layers! Long sleeve shirt, fleece, and a shell should do it. It's going to be cool in the morning, but will warm up as the day goes on.
Accessories: Bring sun protection like sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. It's fall, but the sun can still get you.
Essentials: Don’t forget sufficient water to stay hydrated and some snacks to keep your energy up.
Other Notes: The weather can change quickly, so double-check the forecast on the morning of the hike.
00:52 UTC
A bit of history
00:10 UTC
🍁 Fall Leaves Hike – November 30th (Saturday) 🍂
🍁 Fall Leaves Hike – November 30th (Saturday) 🍂
Join us for this year’s fall hike through Fumin no Mori, featuring the Hoshi no Buranko (Star Swing) suspension bridge and stunning views of the forest canopy in full color. 🚶♂️⛰️ Just 54 minutes from Umeda!
What to Expect
- Distance & Elevation: 11km with a 363m elevation gain (compare: Minoo hike was 5.6km/178m).
- Trail Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ to ★★★☆☆. Well-maintained trails. Not for the completely sedentary, but not too hard.
- Highlights:
- Walk under and over the iconic Hoshi no Buranko (280m long) >
!<<-- Click for spoiler - Panoramic views from the lookout and a quiet loop trail in the back of the park. >
!<<-- Click for spoiler
- Walk under and over the iconic Hoshi no Buranko (280m long) >
- Lunch: Pack your own (no stores nearby). Drinks and ice cream available at the lodge.
Meeting Point
- Where: Kisaichi Station. Look for the "ThisIsOsaka!" sign. It is impossible not to see us outside the station's one exit.
- When: We’ll gather from 10:00 a.m. and head out at 11:00 a.m. If you are running late, let us know in advance and we'll do what we can to accommodate you. We'll lose mobile phone coverage after we leave the station. After that there is wifi at the trail head lodge (Piton's Cabin), but after that we'll be in the 1980s.
What to Bring
Clothing: Layers are best. Current forecast: 10–12°C, partly cloudy. I wore a fleece and wind-breaking shell and had to take them off, but conditions can change, so check in for updates. Right now, the weather report for Saturday expects the temperature to be at 10-12 degrees and partly cloudy. (So far all of the weather for our hikes that we've had turned out better than the prediction, so I'm not concerned. I’m thinking their algorithms need tweaking.)
Shoes: Boots are recommended, but lots of people there were doing fine in sneakers.
Extras: These are well maintained trails, but hiking poles are always recommended. (Last time on this hike a part of the trail had been washed out and we had to take a detour that made us glad for the poles.) We have a limited number of poles to lend out and the lodge has some wooden staffs available. First come first serve.
Who normally takes part
People from various countries all over the world, local 'gaijin', tourists. Really diverse. All ages, but the bulk are usually in their 20s and 30s. 🌈 Friendly. : ) Looking forward to another great day out.
13:16 UTC
⛅Hike Weather Report 🌈-- Five different sources say that Sunday will be Sunny and cool. It is raining now, but it should be great tomorrow. The hike is ON.
There could be a few damp places here and there. So stepping around should suffice. Of course, boots are always recommended.
08:59 UTC
ThisIsOsaka! October 20 hike: The Ikoma Mountain Ridgeline. Some grand views and lots of green, with a little bit of yellows and oranges already. Get outside.
Edit: as of the night before the hike: Here is some advice for getting from Ikoma station to Tori-mae Station. Stay on the second floor! You can get to Tori-mae station without leaving the second floor.
Here is the new, more accurate map, with a few more pictures. The pictures are for navigation, not to show off the view.
Last time I did encounter a few bothersome bugs. You may want spray.
It rained Saturday, so you can probably still wear sneakers, but they may get a bit dirty.
After my trial run, I do recommend poles. Not a necessity, but much easier.
Background
If you look to the east in Osaka, you’ll see a small mountain range known as the Ikoma-san-chi. It’s the home of several huge broadcast antennae and the radar tower that gives us the live rain radar maps. Also at the top of Mt. Ikoma is a small theme park. From the city you can see the route of the entire hike, which runs from the amusement park along the top ridge of the mountain range toward the south, about 9-10 kilometers. The route is overall down-hill with a 200 meter difference between the trailhead and the trail end, but there are enough ups and downs that there is a total elevation gain (just counting the parts that go up) of 350 meters. So, a hike of moderate difficulty (★★★☆☆). (Similar to the South Nara hills, and much more difficult than the Fukuchiyama Tunnel Hike, if you were there for those.)
Here is a link to what will roughly be the route we'll take.
We’ll take cable cars to get up and down the mountain. There will be some excellent views of the city. At some points, when the air is clear, you can see Osaka, Kobe, Awajishima, and the Awajishima bridge all at the same time. There is lots of green, mushrooms, some local fauna, but an extra cool thing is to have hiked the ridgeline of the Ikoma mountain range, and pointing it out to your friends when it’s in view from the city. It’s like an omiyage that’s always there if you look to the east. Maybe that’s just me.
The 9:30am start will guarantee that even at a mild pace, we’ll be back (I’m guessing 3:30pm) in plenty of time before sundown, just after 5:00pm.
This fork in the trail looks like it's from a storybook. We'll be taking the path into the light.
Where we’ll meet
This is a station-to-station hike. We’ll finish a long way from the trailhead, so it does not make sense to bring a car or motorcycle. We’ll begin gathering at the Tori-mae Station in Ikoma at 9:00. From there we’ll take the cable car up the mountain. That will cost 500 yen. There is a stop up the mountain at a shrine where we’ll change cable cars to go the final way to the top. Be sure to get the ticket to the Theme park (one way) and not just the Shrine. We should be flashing our ThisIsOsaka! sign, but it’s not a big station and if you see a bunch of foreigners, some holding hiking poles, gathering at the station, that’s probably us.
We’ll finish up at Shigi-san-guchi Station, a quaint little station where you can take a train back into town. It is definitely a Japan countryside experience. The cable cars are well maintained, but definitely stand out as a part of history.
Cost
We collect no money, as always. There is a fee for the cable car up, and then down the mountain. The cable car up is 500 yen and the cable car down is just a bit more than that.
Clothes and Gear
There are a few places where the trail is a bit overgrown and we’ll be wading through knee-deep grass, so I suggest long pants. Long-sleeve shirts are also probably a good idea. Hiking boots 🥾 are a good idea, but running shoes and court shoes will do. A hat is always good. I saw people on the trail with and without poles. I am a devoted quadruped and I’ll bring poles for people who want them (first come first serve). Send me a note to reserve a pair in advance. Judge the weather on the day, but it is usually a good idea to have a windbreaker and fleece you can add or remove. Expect it to be a few degrees cooler than what it is in the city.
Water is a must. One to two liters is recommended. I am not aware of a water source after we leave the amusement park. (Edit: One liter barely got me through.)
I didn’t run into bugs when I did a trail run of the hike, but bug spray is always smart.
Food
You should be able to find something at a convenience store in the neighborhood of Tori-mae Station, but it is usually a good idea to bring something from downtown if you can. As mentioned, we’ll stop for a while and eat lunch. Be prepared to pack out whatever trash you pack in. There is nowhere to dispose of trash.
Who we tend to be
Expect a group of people from all over the world of all ages, but most people who join tend to be in their twenties and thirties. Everyone is welcome. Kids are welcome, but be sure they are old enough and sturdy enough to handle a nearly 10k hike with some incline. Among the crew, we have those who stay back with anyone who moves at a slower pace, so don’t let that be a concern.
Look at this beast. I didn't know porcini get this big!
Weather
We’ll give weather reports as we get closer to the hiking day. If we need to cancel because of rain, we will post that as soon as we can and inform everyone of any alternate rainy day activities that we might think of. I never hope for a hike being rained out, but we have some cool next-generation board games I’d love to have an excuse to break out.
At the moment the 20th is expected to be coolish with a high between 16°C and 20°C, partly sunny with a low chance of rain. The day before may have rain in the morning, so keep that in mind for footwear. These things change, so check back.
After the hike
Last time, I had so much fun talking and chilling out over coffee and deserts with everyone, so I’m now looking for a place to do that again. The neighborhood where we end is rather devoid of places that seem appropriate, but we’ll see.
It's nice if you drop a note to let us know you may go, but you can also just show up.
13:43 UTC
***CORRECTION*** 'ThisIsOsaka!' Hike is scheduled for the Sunday 20th. Sorry for the change. It will follow the Ikoma Mountain Range ridge line from north to south. 10 or so kilometers and probably 350 meters altitude gain. No charge and everyone welcome.
Very sorry about the change. I have no choice but to move the date, I hope it hasn't caused anyone too much trouble.
In the coming weeks, I'll give all the information you need to join. It is a complete day hike, do set the day aside and I'll give specific times and meeting places later.
Great views of the city, fall foliage. We'll take cable cars up to the top and down, which are an experience unto themselves. If you are in Osaka and can see the mountain range to the east, you can see where the trail goes along the ridge from north to south.
I'm still tweaking the route, so if anyone has experience with this hike that you'd like to add, feel free to contribute.
Any questions or comments are welcome. Check out r/thisisosaka for hike routes and information, and updates to the coming hike.
06:55 UTC
Any hiking in October?
Hi, all! I’ll be in Osaka in October and was wondering if there will be any group hikes? Thank you! 🌿🌿🌿
04:55 UTC
🌤️ Namaze to Takedao Hike Weather Report for June 16, 2024 🌤️ Conditions may change -- check back daily.
Location: Namaze to Takedao, Japan
Date: The forecast for June 16 as of June 14.
Hike Status: ON (still UNDER OBSERVATION, but looking great)
- The current report says MOSTLY SUNNY with 20 percent chance of rain with a high of 29.
Weather Forecast:
- Temperature: High of 29°C, Low of 21°C
- Rainfall: 20% chance of rain. 🌦️
- Wind: Light winds 🌬️
Safety Advisory:
- it is looking to be a great day for hiking. It will be warm, so stay hydrated.
08:29 UTC
A year ago today my girlfriend and I hiked Mt. Iwawaki ((岩湧山) but took two wrong turns and ended up in Wakayama - sharing some photos of our misadventure
We started our journey from Kawachinagano Station. We took a bus to somewhere (forgot where) and saw other people with hiking gear so we thought hey we're on the right track. But some of them got off in some town and we thought that wasn't right, right? Well...we ended up at the very last bus stop, and thinkign it was the right place because there was a mountain in sight and we saw this sign post, so we pushed through.
We were in denial for a while until we realized we've been walking for hours without a single person/car in sight. At one point it got too creepy too, but fun nonetheless.
But somewhere along the way, we ended up not following any of the trails, but rather we followed the road for vehicles instead. We did some side quests here and there for higher views though.
This view was from the road overlooking some farm (plum and yuzu I think)
There are also a lot of disposed yuzu on the side of the road
A lot of the farms had this small rails for their carts
There was also a winding path to a small village.
The only living thing we saw in this small village was a cat. We blitzed through the village because it reminded us of the tv series Gannibal lol
Our trail, but not the complete one because we had some difficulty getting coverage:
Anyway, thank you for reading! We definitely need to do a revenge climb (on the right trail this time)!
06:54 UTC
June 16th. 🏞️ June is getting hotter, but the tunnels of the Takedao/Namaze (Fukuchiyama) Tunnel Hike will be our 🌬️ natural air-conditioning for our next hike. Check back regularly for updates. 🌳🚶♂️🚶♀️🌲
There are lots of updates as of June 10. A weather post has been added.
We are making a new record with a 27 day advanced notice. Yeah! Hope that is helpful for people to arrange their schedules more easily.
What it will be like
The old Fukuchiyama railway 🛤️ ran through the beautiful mountains between Takedao and Namaze, along the Muko river, and through seven tunnels. The train line has moved and the rails pulled up, but the route through the mountains is still there and is well maintained. The temperatures in June begin to rise, but the tunnels provide a natural air conditioning to cool off intermittently throughout the hike. The total hike is about 7 kilometers. There is a mild incline that is almost unnoticeable, so this is quite an easy hike. We’re checking out an alternate path to the trail head that may have a bit more uphill, but I’d still give this one an easy ranking.
(Depending on the temperature, there is a very nice optional side trail loop that I've included on the trail map. It involves climbing and a trail difficulty I'd place at moderate rather than easy like the rest of the trail. It is very pretty. I would not want to do it without a pole or two. I'll not take the entire group on that detour, but if a group wants to split off for a bit more adventure, we can help arrange that.)
When and where we'll start
The gathering time will be from 10:00 to 10:30 and we'll try to leave at 10:30 sharp if possible.
We’ll gather at Namaze Station. The train fee from Osaka Station to Namaze is around ¥510, and ¥590 for the return trip from Takedao Station. It is only 40 minutes from Umeda by train. At the gathering station, it would would be quite impossible not to find each other, so just look around for us. I look remarkably like my icon.
There is a convenience store down the street from the station where you can pick up lunch if you like. We’ll be stopping along the river to eat lunch and skip stones. (If you are so inclined, you may want to snack while others eat lunch and stop at the restaurant at the end of the hike that features Wild Boar.)
Where we'll Hike
Here is a the official map of our route. This map includes the optional detour, so the actual hike is 7 kilometers with an elevation gain of around 100 meters, rather than the 8+ kilometers and 400+ elevation gain if the side trail is included.
The difficulty rating is ★☆☆☆☆. Good boots would be ideal, but court or running shoes will work. Most of the railroad ties (the wood under the rails) have been removed, but some are still there, so it is not always a flat trail.
Greenery rating ★★★★☆. Most of this hike takes place in the mountains, surrounded by forest. However, the first bit begins in a small town. On the cool and memorable scale, it is a solid ★★★★★. It is a gem of a hike.
What you'll need
You must bring a light or have someone to share with. 🔦 The tunnels become dark. At times, you cannot see either end and without a light and there is truly 0% visibility. The lights on most telephones are enough, but stronger lights are better. Come with a full battery.
Dress appropriately. The location of the hike is normally a few degrees cooler than the city and inside the tunnels it will be a few degrees cooler than that.
If you are late or get separated from the group, leave a message on r/thisisosaka, we check it constantly and will do our best to find you. We try to have a GPS available, but sometimes we’re not able to get it working, so it’s best to get there on time.
Other stuff
As always, it is completely free and everyone is welcome. Kids usually love this hike, but be aware that it gets dark and can feel a little creepy in the old tunnels.
There is at least one Geocache somewhere along the way, so if you are a Geocacher, you may want to bring some micro or small 'swag'.
Leaving us a note if you are planning to go does help us plan better. : ) We won't hold you to it if your plans change, and it is also fine to just show up.
Check back for updates and look out for the weather post that will show up 2 weeks before the hike.
12:02 UTC
🥾🌲☀️🍃Weather report for May 5th hike. There will be Updates. Check back. 🥾🌲☀️🍃
🌲 Hike Status: ON 👍🌲
Date: May 5, 2024 Location: Yata-dera and Matsuo-dera, south of Ikoma, Japan
Weather Forecast for 10 AM to 5 PM as of May 4th:
- Temperature: Expect a pleasant range with morning temperatures around 14°C (57°F), warming up to 26°C (79°F) in the afternoon.
- General Conditions: The day will start sunny with clear skies. There is a 20% chance of clouds appearing later in the day, but overall, it should remain sunny and clear, making for great hiking conditions.
Recommendations for this hike in these weather conditions:
- Attire: Dress in layers to adjust easily to the warm afternoon. Starting with a breathable base layer and adding a light, long-sleeve shirt can provide comfort and protection from the sun.
- Hydration: Over the course of the hike you'll want 2-3 liters of water per person. There will be opportunities to buy water along the way.
- Snacks: Energy-rich, lightweight snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and energy bars will help maintain energy levels throughout the hike.
- Sun Protection: Apply sunscreen before starting and carry some for reapplication. A brimmed hat and sunglasses will also help protect against the sun.
Looking forward to a beautiful hike with perfect weather conditions!
02:03 UTC
ThisIsOsaka! 🥾 We’ll hike through the hills south of Ikoma on the route we had to cancel due to ice last winter. ⛩️ 🍃 Mountains, valleys, farmlands, temples, views, and forest. May 5th, 2024.
Important Edit: Although we encourage people to use our past posts to take these hikes on their own, that is not the case with this hike! There are too many turns and forks that are not obvious. Considering also that there is no cell phone coverage over much of the difficult parts to navigate. Missing a few turns and back tracking can cause you to not get back before dark. If you are feeling particularly intrepid and decide to give it a try anyway, be sure to check out the pictures and their descriptions that I put on the Alltrails map. That should get you as far as Matsuo-dera. Once you are at Matsuo-dera, be sure that you have a few solid hours of daylight. The monks will point you toward the trail down the west side of the mountain if you ask them. If you don't have enough time to make it down that side, there is a road down the east, opposite side, of the mountain. It will take you to the JR station in Yamada-chou. (I know this, because we had to do this when we were planning out the route.)
Our next hike has been decided. We’ll hike through the hills south of Ikoma. We did a trial run and it was a great day out and got to know a region we hadn’t seen before.
It begins from the Minami-Ikoma Station on the Kintetsu-Ikoma line (50 minutes from Umeda). From there it makes it’s way through a nice little neighborhood to the mountain trail where the trail begins. We’ll hike up the mountain to the temple known as Yatadera. Then we’ll continue through the forest, across hilltops up to Matsuodera, another prominent temple, before we descend the mountain and end up at Heguri Station, also on the Kintetsu-Ikoma line (still under an hour from Umeda).
If you drive, park here at Heguri, the destination station, then take a quick train back to Minami-Ikoma to begin the hike.
This will be the longest hike that we’ve done (13 km), and also have the most elevation gain (532m). I’m going to give it 3 out of 5 stars for difficulty. There are a few stretches with inclines of 30% that last a few hundred meters, so those who are not at least a bit in shape will need frequent rests during those stretches.
We’ll gather on May 5th from 10:00 to 10:30 and leave at 10:30 sharp. The hike done without stopping would be four hours and 15 minutes, but including lunch and occasional stops, we expect to be back at Heguri Station around 4:30. A moderate pace.
We will not be able to wait if people are arriving late, because we be keeping a pace that will get us back before sundown. We'll have a GPS signal to allow people who arrive late to catch up. On the day of the hike the link to the GPS will be here ------> ( ).
Of the few people we saw on the trail, half had a walking stick or poles. I do recommend a walking stick or trekking poles for stability on the inclines (Max 30% for a brief time). We have a limited number of trekking poles that we can lend out. (Send us a message to reserve one.)
How can you not want to see what's around that corner?
Clothing
Boots are recommended, but court or running shoes should be fine.
Weather reports say it will be partly cloudy with more clouds into the afternoon with a high of 25°C (77°F) and at the higher elevations around 22°C (72°F), assuming -0.6°C for each 100 meters we climb. I'll be bringing a light shirt, wind breaking shell, and a fleece that will probably stay in my bag all day.
Hats are recommended.
Food and water
There will be places to get water all along the way, so no need to carry too much in. We will stop and eat lunch at some point so pack a lunch. Shops are scarce around the Minami-Ikoma station, so don't expect to buy lunch there. The location for lunch will depend on our pace. I recommend bringing a few munchies in addition to lunch to tide you over pre-lunch and approaching the end of the trail.
Restrooms
We contact civilization at various points throughout the hike with decent restrooms.
Kids
My 14 year old who is not highly active did fine, though they had to push themselves at a few points. This is not a hike for baby strollers. It is not recommended for smaller kids unless they are established, experienced hikers.
As always, there is no cost and everyone is welcome. Hope to see you there.
11:22 UTC
Who wants to go on a hike with me next weekend?
I am new in Kansai, I love hiking and this seems like a great way to meet people with similar interests. Maybe around Nara deer park? But I am open to ideas. :)
PS : I speak perfect English, French, basic Japanese(+google translate and gestures haha) and spanish
02:20 UTC
***Yata-dera Temple Hike Weather Report – January 21, 2024***
The hike is: ON 🌤
Weather Conditions:
- High temperature: 10°C (50°F)
- Predominant weather: Cloudy with a chance of light snowfall (1.1 cm expected)
- Chance of precipitation: Light snowfall, minimal impact on hiking
- Wind: Light
Recommendations:
- Attire: Warm layers, waterproof jacket, and thermal wear
- Footwear: Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots
- Additional: Hat, gloves, and scarf for extra warmth
- Hydration: Regular sips of water, bring a thermos with a warm drink
03:31 UTC
🌤️Minoo, Osaka Hiking Weather Report for December 2, 2023🌡️
Hike Status: ON 🥾🌤️
Location: Minoo, Osaka
Forecast Update as of: Dec. 1, 2023 (The day before the hike.)
Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy
Daily High: 13°C Recommendations:
- Attire: A light jacket or fleece remains a good choice. Layering is still advisable.
- Hydration: Continue to carry water, staying hydrated is essential.
- Extras: Comfortable walking shoes and a hat are recommended. The partly cloudy weather suggests sun and cloud mix, so sun protection remains useful.
The weather in Minoo looks favorable for a hike.
05:46 UTC
🍂 Minoo Falls Hike: Autumn Colors Edition! 🍁Saturday, December 2.
Join us for a hike up to Minoo Falls, planned on this day to coincide with the most vibrant fall colors. If you missed the last hike to Minoo Falls or if you want to experience the beautiful leaves, come along.
Gathering Point & Time:
We’ll begin gathering at Minoo Station at 10:30 AM. Spot us by the "ThisIsOsaka!" sign and me in my wide-brim hat, cargo pants, and hiking poles. We've sorted out the GPS this time (apologies for last time!), so a link will be provided to help latecomers or anyone who gets separated.
Hike Details:
Rated at a comfortable ⭐⭐☆☆☆ for difficulty, our journey to Minoo Falls is both scenic and minimally challenging. 5.6 kilometers with a 178 elevation gain, but there are a few spots with inclines that motivate some people to rest occasionally. We'll take about 4 hours, including a break to soak in the views and enjoy our snacks.
Here is the trail map. It's an up and back trail, so you really can't get lost, but I like playing with graphics.
Wildlife:
Keep your eyes peeled for some of Minoo's wildlife. There's a chance to spot the elusive Japanese Giant Salamander, and we'll likely see some Japanese Macaque Monkeys along the way.
What to Bring:
Dress in layers (a fleece and windbreaker are perfect) to adjust to the cool December weather. Comfortable hiking boots or court shoes are recommended. Remember to bring your own snacks and water, although there are shops near the trailhead for last-minute supplies.
There are coin lockers in the station if you need them.
Post-Hike Relaxation:
After our exploration, join us if you wish for a relaxed get-together at a nearby pub to enjoy the locally brewed and international award winning Minoo Beer. It's the perfect way to wrap up this adventure. We’re still scouting out the venue for this. Open to suggestions.
Weather and Clothing:
Early December can be cool, so layering is suggested. We're optimistic about the weather, but keep an eye out for updates as the day approaches in our weather update post.
Here is the link to our GPS.
RSVP:
Please let us know if you’re planning to join. While an RSVP is helpful, feel free to just show up on the day. We welcome everyone, regardless of hiking experience or background. Expand our diversity!!
We're excited to experience the autumnal splendor of Minoo Falls with you. See you there!
12:47 UTC
⛅Weather Report for the Nara Deer Park/Mt. Wakakusa hike☀️
The hike is: ON!
As of October 27, here is the forecast for the hike on October 29, 2023
Weather: It is expected to be sunny☀️ with mostly clear skies⛅.
Temperature: The highest temperature is expected to reach 20°C🌡️ during your hiking time from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
We are looking forward to a fantastic hike. See you there!
10:37 UTC
ThisIsOsaka! has another hike coming up. How is it that we haven't hiked through Nara Deer Park and up Mt. Wakakusa? Well, that will be addressed Sunday, October 29.
Edit: Two things. There is a 150 yen charge on one leg of the trail for maintenance. We couldn't find the ThisIsOsaka sign this morning, so you'll be looking for the guy in a wide-brimmed hat, cargo pants, and boots. The exit for meeting is exit TWO.
The Autumn's colors will begin to appear, and it's a perfect time to explore the beautiful outdoors. After deciding that the summer was just to hot to hold hikes, we're excited to announce our upcoming hike scheduled for Sunday, October 29.
Our Adventure this time: We'll begin by winding through the iconic Nara Deer Park, where we'll meet the (mostly) friendly deer that will be present throughout our hike. There we'll also see shrines, temples, a very cool gazebo, and a variety of paths and gardens. After passing through the main park, we'll ascend the rolling hills of Mt. Wakakusa, where from the summit, we can take in a beautiful view of Nara. This hike, spanning about 10 8.8 kilometers, has a climb of around 350 meters. We rate this hike as ★★☆☆☆ for difficulty. (There are a few tougher grades for a few hundred meters going up the hills. If you are not in good shape, you'll need to stop several times during the ascent. You'll not be alone.) Though the full autumn spectacle might still be unfolding, you can expect to witness the beginning shades of fall colors, a prelude to the full fall colors that will be the focus of next month's hike. (We were just there and the colors have begun!)
Meeting Point: Join us at the top of Exit Two of the JR Nara Station. To find us, look out for a sign that says "ThisIsOsaka!". OsakaWilson will be the one in a wide-brimmed hat and cargo pants.
When: We'll gather between 10:30-11:00 and begin our journey at 11:00. (If you get delayed, send a post below and look for the GPS link.)
Can't find us?: For those needing some directional assistance, you can refer back here for a GPS signal to pin down our group's location. That will be put up on the day of the hike.
What to Bring: While the trail promises a blend of natural beauty and traditional charm, it's essential to be prepared. Wear sturdy shoes suitable for a mountain trail. Given that we'll be stopping along the way for a meal, please bring a packed lunch. While there are convenience stores available, I recommend packing something more satisfying to refuel. The October air might be cool, but ensure you have enough water to stay hydrated. In addition, there are no seats where we will have lunch, so bring a plastic tarp. We'll have a few extras, but not enough for everyone (however many that turns out to be).
Journey from Umeda: For those coming from Umeda, the train fare to Nara Station is approximately 900 yen.
RSVP: Do drop a note if you plan to join us! It helps us in planning where we'll stop and eat, etc. Whether you comment below, leave a private PM or simply show up, we're excited to have you.
Who's Invited: Age, nationality, pronouns, hiking experience. Everyone's welcome! Come solo, bring friends, or join with your little ones — the trail awaits!
Can't wait to once again share another memorable hiking experience with all of you!
*Baby Strollers - In the lower park, strollers are not an issue. There are routes up the mountain that avoid stairs, however, there are steeper sections, and to access the areas at the top of the mountain are off-trail through grassy fields. Strollers will need to go back down the way we came up the mountain because there are stairs on the downward trail. The stroller pilot must be strong, and strollers equally strong. (OsakaWilson sidenote: As an experienced hiker/parent. I recommend this bad boy, with optional storm cover, mosquito net, drink holders and cooler bag.)
03:18 UTC
On the tunnel hike this weekend June 25, here are some flora and fauna that you may see.
As far as the animals go, it's probably more accurate to say that these are the species that will be doing their best to hide from us, though they may be in the vicinity. Except for the bats, which will be hanging from the top of the tunnels. Please avoid shining lights directly at them.
| Flora: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Konara Oak | |||
| Japanese Cedar | |||
| Fauna: | |||
| Japanese squirrels | |||
| Raccoon dogs (Tanuki) | |||
| Japanese serow | |||
| Birds: | |||
| Japanese white-eye | |||
| Bush warbler | |||
| Woodpeckers (Wikipedia doesn't have a specific page for Japanese woodpeckers, but this page contains information about the family as a whole. Below are some Japanese pages.) | |||
| Japanese Green Woodpecker (Picus awokera) | |||
| Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus kizuki) | |||
| Insects: | |||
| Butterflies | |||
| The Japanese Giant Hornet (Suzumebachi) | A nest can be seen across the river, but they've never bothered us. | ||
| Fish: | |||
| Ayu (sweetfish) | |||
| Amago (red-spotted masu trout) | |||
| Bats: | Not sure which ones actually inhabit the tunnels, so I listed all those that could be there. | ||
| Japanese Long-Eared Bats | |||
| Japanese House Bats | |||
| Greater Horseshoe Bats | |||
| Bent-winged Bats (This page represents the genus of bent-winged bats. I couldn't find a specific page for Japanese bent-winged bats.) |
14:29 UTC
Thanks for joining us on the hike, everyone.
I had a great time and got some well needed exercise. I don't know which is the highlight for me, the places we go or talking with everyone while we're there. Looking back I'm amazed at my ability to insert either ChatGPT or Norway into nearly any conversational topic. Hehe. Sorry about that.
Any way, we're aiming at June 25 for the next hike, which I will call the tentative date. I was considering not having hikes during July and August because of the heat, but I'd like to try the Takedao Tunnel Hike in late July. It is generally shaded, goes through the cool tunnels, and follows a river. I can't think of a better summer hike.
I realize that we did this hike rather recently, but personally, I look forward to doing it again.
13:39 UTC
Arashiyama hike
A nice trek through Arashiyama. The old rural neighborhoods were very interesting with some traditional houses with thatched roofs. It was decided to visit Otago Nenbutsu-ji Temple which was definitely worth a visit. Great hike.
01:50 UTC
Arashiyama Hike weather update
Hello everyone! Current Status: The Hike is ON. (There are once again changes below.)
As of today, May 27th, here is the forecast:
Forecast Date: May 28th
Weather: It is expected to be cloudy, clearing up later, on May 28th.
Temperature: At the starting point in Arashiyama, the highest temperature is expected to reach 28°C on May 28th.
Recommendations: We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and bringing water during the hike.
For more details, please check out the Arashiyama Hike by "thisisosaka".
We are looking forward to seeing you in Arashiyama tomorrow for the hike‼︎
01:03 UTC
Arashiyama Hike weather update
Hello everyone! Current Status: The Hike is ON. (There are once again changes below.)
Weather Forecast for Arashiyama - Please note that this can change leading up to the hike.
As of today, May 25th, here is the forecast:
Weather - It is expected to be cloudy on May 28th.
Temperature - At the starting point in Arashiyama, the highest temperature is expected to reach 28°C on May 28th.
Recommendations - Due to the high temperature, we recommend wearing comfortable clothing and bringing water during the hike. For more details, please check out the Arashiyama Hike by "thisisosaka".
We are looking forward to seeing you in Arashiyama on May 28th for the hike
03:58 UTC
ThisIsOsaka hike for May will be the 28th. Bamboo forests, a Mountain Temple, Old Rural Neighborhoods, an old river crossing and some beautiful scenery. Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
ひさしぶり everyone. It’s about time for another hike.
We were thrown for a loop when we learned that the firefly viewing will remain closed this year. So sorry if you were looking forward to the firefly hike. It is on our May calendar for next year.
Also it is our sincere hope that we’ll have the June hike date announced before the turn of the month so those who need to arrange their schedules have time.
What to expect this time:
So, we went back to the drawing board and we think we found a good mild hike to start the season. Since it is early in the (academic) year and I definitely need to get in better shape before tackling something more vertically challenging, this will be an easy one. The hike we have planned is less challenging than the Minoo hike, with a smaller elevation gain that is stretched over 10 kilometers. The route begins in a rather touristy area, but quickly passes through that and into the surrounding hills. We’ll pass through uniquely-Japanese, old, rural neighborhoods (which I particularly love), a few farmlands and see some cool shrines. There will also be bamboo forests and a beautiful section of river. We’ll stop at one particular shrine, but wave as we pass the others.
We’re stretching the “Osaka” part of our name–ThisIsOsaka–this time, because the location is in western Kyoto, but the trailhead is within our policy of 1 hour by train from Umeda. We will start in Arashiyama and take in the famous scenes there on the way in and out, but the bulk of the hike will be through the surrounding, lesser traveled, area. That means we’ll not be hiking up Arashiyama itself, or stopping at the Monkey park.
How to get there:
We’ll meet outside Arashiyama Station. We’ll gather on May 28 between 10:30-11:00 and head out at 11:00. Someone will be flashing a sign that says “ThisIsOsaka” on it and you’ll see a dude with a wide-brim hat and hiking poles, checking his phone to help round up any strays that are having issues finding us. Check back here for a GPS signal to home in on us on the day of the hike.
It seems that with Google Maps and all, meeting at Umeda is not necessary, so we’ll meet at the station closest to the route. It worked the last two times.
From Osaka Station, it takes around 50 minutes and one way costs 410 yen.
The route:
Here is the route we’ve put together. It is quite a mix of atmospheres across the 10 kilometers. We could do the route forwards or backwards, I haven’t decided.
If after 10 kilometers, you haven’t had enough, you can forge off on your own and follow the river to the next station, which will put you on the same train heading back to Osaka. I thought about including that stretch in the hike, but decided to keep it under 10k.
The ground game:
You’ll want to have comfortable shoes, but boots are not necessary for this one. I’ll be bringing my hiking poles, but they are certainly not required. If you do bring poles, you’ll probably want rubber tips because there will be a lot of pavement.
I’m going to rank this route Stroller Friendly. There are some areas with steps, but those can be gotten around. You can definitely get inside the entrance of the temple we will visit, but to really appreciate the temple, you’ll need to park the buggy and carry the little one.
Food:
There will be convenience stores and places to get food, but I recommend bringing your own bento in with you. I’m going to keep my bento rather light so I can get a ‘yaki imo’ or ‘dango’ from one of the street vendors. I will be on the lookout for the cold-brewed green tea called ‘mizudashi sencha’, which should be a perfect cold refreshing drink for the hike.
Weather:
Being in late May, we can expect the temperature to begin rising. The current prediction is 26 27 degrees and lightly cloudy. That may change and one week from the day of the hike, we’ll start daily updates of the weather and clothing recommendations. (As of Friday, it's looking good.)
You’ll be able to buy water at the beginning of the hike, and you’ll want to have some with you.
As I type, the weather outside my window already feels like summer, so you may want to consider sun protection as well. There will be lots of shady areas, but some areas are exposed to the sun.
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple:
One of the destinations along the route is Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple. It is a very cute, charming place with a happy Buddhist ambiance. It’s known for its 1200 little statues of Buddha's disciples, each with a unique face. The entrance fee is 300 yen and we’ll stop there and look around. You will smile.
Contingency:
In the heretofore-hasn’t-happened event that the hike must be canceled due to rain, heat, or robot uprising, and you find yourself with a suddenly empty schedule on the hike day, consider joining us for a board game at our university. We’ve got some good ones. These are not your grandpa’s board games.
Details will be posted as soon as we make the decision that we must cancel, assuming lines of communication remain open.
As always:
No charge.
You can just show up at the right place (Arashiyama Station) and at the right time (10:30-11:00) and join, but it is helpful to us if you leave a post letting us know if you’ll try to join. We won’t hold you to it if your plans change. : )
All are welcome regardless of age, nationality, pronouns, whether you bring kids, or despise pineapple on pizza. : )
13:23 UTC
The cherry blossom hike is ON! The peak bloom happened before the forecast, but we will be there as they shed their petals over us. Arguably a better time to be there.
The weather report says mostly sunny with a small amount of wind. The high should be 23 degrees.
I'm all excited. : )
Edit: On for April the 2nd that is. Tomorrow.
02:39 UTC
The next hike with “ThisIsOsaka!” will be Sunday April 2nd. Peak Cherry Blossom time!
The location was chosen based not on the best spot to sit under the trees, but what would be the best location to hike through cherry trees. Japanese cherry trees, if well tended, can be expected to live around 100 years. The trees in this location are mostly around 90 years old. That means they are huge and gnarly and generally impressive. In another decade this location will have a bunch of young trees, but we get the chance to experience these pre-war trees before they are gone. They also come with a bit of local lore, but that’s for later.
We’re keeping with the policy of keeping within an hour by train from central Osaka. This location is in where three rivers meet to create the Yodo River that runs through Osaka before it goes into the sea. The cherry trees line both sides of a path that follows the strip of land between the Kizu and Uji rivers.
Before hiking through the cherry trees and having lunch, we’ll climb to the Otokoyama Observation Deck. From there we will have an amazing view of the entire region that includes the conjunction of the rivers to form the Yodo river, Kyoto, the Uji plain, and some other interesting historical parts of the geography. Depending on how the surrounding foliage is trimmed, we may be able to see the cherry trees that we will soon be hiking through. They claim it is the best view of Kyoto and I can’t argue with that.
Then, after getting the overview of the land, we’ll go back down and head off to hike through the cherry trees.
I talked to locals and the manager of the location to get an idea of how many people are going to be there. You can expect this location to be quite crowded. There will be a one-way procession of people moving through the trees that loops around to a return route that will give another perspective of the trees. People will have staked out all of the prime real estate on the banks beside the trees, but I’m told that in the field at the end of the promenade there will be plenty of space to put down tarps and have lunch. (I’ve seen both native dandelions and invasive dandelions in the field. Who knows the difference?)
And speaking of lunch, the station has one convenience store and as far as I could tell, pretty much nothing else. This will be another case of putting a lunch together before you get on the train. I hear that there will be food stalls there, so it sounds like there will be food available on site. However, it will be crowded. My tolerance for waiting in line would probably be challenged, so I will be bringing my own lunch. Considering the number of people who will should be there, do not expect to be able to get food at the convenience store.
I believe there will be a nominal fee to help them maintain the trees and such. I think it was around 100 yen or so.
The total length of the hike will be 6.5 kilometers with an elevation gain of 150 meters, so this is getting a ★☆☆☆☆ difficulty rating. However, although the elevation gain is rather small, it all takes place within 300 meters with lots of steps. That will be within the first 40 minutes and after that it will be almost flat. The entire route is immaculately maintained and can be done with sneakers without issues, assuming it’s not wet.
For prams, and people for whom stairs are not their thing, there appear to be two options but both of them will separate you from the group in the first half. There is a cable car that can be taken to the observation deck and back down. I don’t know how severe the crowding will be. Alternately, there is an observation tower that has a very good view that has an elevator. There is a fee to do that. I don’t recall the cost, but I didn’t feel is was out of line. Either way, we could meet up again before taking in the cherry trees and having lunch.
Meeting Time
Let’s gather at the station between 10:30 and 11:00 and leave at 11:00. We’ll be checking /r/thisisosaka, so if you get delayed, contact us there and we’ll try to connect up.
Here’s a map I made of the route. It is in reverse. I made it before I decided that doing the observation deck first was a better idea.
Transportation
I suggest arriving by train at the Iwashimizu-Hachimangu Station on the Keihan line. It’s a under an hour ride from Osaka Station and one way costs between 540 and 560 yen depending on the route. A transfer or two is also required depending on the route. Again, since my crew is not back to school, I won’t be giving any more transportation details and we’ll meet you at the station. Once again, the station has only one exit and we’ll gather outside that exit.
It should be crowded, but I think we’ll find each other. At the station, will be flashing the ThisIsOsaka! sign that does not look like edamame. At all.
What to Bring
- Lunch
- Drink
- Sitting tarp
- Weather appropriate clothing
- Small change (cherry tree park fee)
I will be camping right up until a few days before the hike with spotty Internet access, so I’ll do my best to answer questions, but will be generally incommunicado til just before April.
As always, it's nice to hear if you plan on joining. (And lets others know that they won't be the only ones.) But it that's how your roll, feel free to just show up and surprise us. :) Recently, around 20 people make it to each hike.
13:20 UTC
Feb. 25, this Saturday, we'll hike through Fumin no Mori, featuring beautiful hills, a huge suspension bridge, and the beginning of Spring in the forest. 54 minutes by train from Umeda.
What to expect
It's a wonderful location. My family went to a few weeks back and unanimously decided to return to see more. Including the distance from the station to the trail head, this hike is 11 km, with a 363m elevation gain. (For comparison the Minoo hike was 5.6km with a 178m elevation gain.) Although Alltrails.com ranks the course as easy, there will be some spots where the incline is as much as 40%, which probably means steps. (Minoo was only around 24% incline at the steepest.) Some will find this challenging.
Here's the route I have planned out. The first bit is mostly uphill. It will take us under the bridge to tease us a bit. Once we reach the higher area and take in the view, we hike in a loop along a nice quiet, easy trail for a while. Then head back and cross the bridge before heading back to the base lodge.
Edit: After having done the hike once, I think the Alltrails ranking of easy is a bit low. I'd put it at a low intermediate. If you have trekking poles, or a hiking stick bring them. There are hiking sticks available at the lodge, but only saw about 15 or so.
The trail winds through the forest in a figure 8 loop. The forest and mountains and trails are beautiful. The view of the city at the lookout point is very good. Between the mountains, you can see most of northeast Osaka. If you have binoculars, you may want to bring them. One of the high points of the hike is the suspension bridge. It is called Hoshi no Buranko, meaning Star Swing. (There is no perceptual swinging--it appears to be well engineered.) It is 200 meters across.
Where to meet
Please aim to arrive at Kisaichi Station comfortably before 10:30. We'll begin collecting and flashing our ThisIsOsaka! sign around 10:00 and head out at 10:30. If you are running late, let us know in advance and we'll do what we can to accommodate you. We'll lose mobile phone coverage after we leave the station. After that there is wifi at the trail head lodge (Piton's Cabin), but after that we'll be in the 1980s.
(If anyone knows how to get an offline mesh network working through Bluetooth, let me know. I've tried all the main ones and none of them acknowledge each other.)
What to wear
Two weeks ago, when we did part of this hike, I wore a fleece and wind-breaking shell and had to take them off. It was very much feeling like Spring. Right now, the weather report for Saturday expects the temperature to be at 6 degrees with some strongish winds, 8-9 m/s. (So far all of the weather for our hikes that we've had turned out much better than the prediction, so I'm not concerned.)
Boots are recommended, but lots of people there were doing fine in sneakers.
Lunch
We'll all need to pack our lunches in. This time there is no convenience store at the station, or anywhere nearby. There is also no food at the park. So, get your lunch before you take the final train to the station. There are drinks and ice cream available, but no meals.
In case of foul weather
We're trying a new thing this time. In case the weather conspires against us, we have a contingency plan. We've reserved a room at Hannan University to play board games, safely in from the rain. If conditions call for this, we'll announce that here and through the Line group and give more specific details. We'll make weather assessments the night before and the morning of the hike. We have a nice collection of modern board games.
As for strollers, prams, baby-cars, etc.
This park is generally stroller friendly, however the course we will take may include some areas that would be difficult to take a stroller. It may be necessary to take a different route at some point if you have a stroller. After looking into the route from the station to the trail (we went by car), I have to say that this does not look is absolutely not appropriate for strollers. What I wrote previously holds true if you drive there, but to go from the station will require steps.
Final word
If you plan to go, it would nice if you leave a message. We won't hold you to it if you need to cancel. :)
If you could include whether you are considering joining us, or not, for board games if we are rained out, please include that too.
Or keep quiet and surprise us. :) Hope to see you there.
13:49 UTC
Where to see bugs in Osaka.
I had a few people who showed interest in insects, so here are some directions to go to pursue that.
Of course, there is the Insectarium that we passed along the way up to the Minoo Falls. It is nice if you are in the area. It includes a big butterfly greenhouse where you can go in among the butterflies.
However, I do prefer the Koyaike Insectarium. It is also in a park, so you can get a greenery fix there too. It also has a butterfly greenhouse and what appears to be a bigger budget.
I hear there is also a butterfly sanctuary in Ikoma, but I haven't been there.
Banpaku-park has so hands-on activities throughout the year on all kinds of natural science topics, so that is worth looking into.
02:04 UTC