We knew from the forecast that today would be a historically hot day for May.
As we will find out during the touring, it is a Sunday like this temperature in Hokkaido.
As usual, I woke up around 8:00 a.m. and looked out the window of the hotel.
As usual, we had no plan, but we left the hotel with the intention of gaining altitude first.
If so, go up in elevation. Enjoy the waterfall course.
If the Bandai-Azuma Skyline is closed due to volcanic restrictions, there's not much point in going north, so we started heading south towards Nikko. First, we headed for a waterfall that we saw on the map on our phones.
We found a parking space in the shade and started walking... First, we walked up and down along the road for quite a while. According to the sign at the entrance of the canyon, there are three waterfalls ahead.
But the first waterfall is almost invisible from the route... Nevertheless, it felt good to walk in the greenery, so we continued on.
The air in the mountains was cool as expected. Even with my lack of exercise, it was a pleasant walk up and down the mountain, and I came to the first waterfall.
There was a rock just in front of the waterfall basin, so we sat down and took a break. I never stopped by this waterfall during the cold season, but since I basically like clear water, I'll be making more stops at waterfalls in the coming seasons. Riding a bike all day is not enough exercise for me, so I have to walk a bit.
After enjoying the first waterfall, we continued on through the gorge and found this at the end of the path. It was a nice three-tiered waterfall.
My body was sweaty from the long walk, but I felt refreshed. After looking at the waterfall for a while, we went back the way we came.
We took a leisurely stroll, cooling our bottled tea in the clear stream.
After returning to the parking lot where we had secured shade, we took a short break and continued on.
We headed to the Kinsei Pass. There was snow.
On the way, we ate soba noodles and yuba for lunch before Nikko.
From Nasu to Nikko, we drove along the Nisshoku Momiji Line and arrived there quickly. We took a route that avoided the city of Nikko and drove along the shore of Lake Chuzenji, and from here we just kept gaining altitude. After a while, there are places where ice still remains on the north slope.
As we approached the Kinseitoge tunnel, the altitude was approaching 2,000 meters. It was so cool that I couldn't believe that it would be extremely hot down there.
There was still a pile of snow in the parking lot where we slid in after exiting the tunnel....
I took an afternoon tea out of my seat bag, buried it in the snow I dug up, chilled it, and took a break.
I went out on the Tohoku Expressway and came home early on the Kanetsu.
Now, as we continue on, we are inevitably forced to lose altitude... The temperature was rising... I guess I'll just have to eat this.
After that, we took the Japan Romantic Road to Gunma and quickly headed for the Kan-etsu Highway. We didn't run into any significant traffic jams, but as we were driving... It was hot. I poured water on my shirt at the SA to cool down my body as I drove. .... We took our last break at Miyoshi PA when the sun was setting.
We returned home quickly and finished our Sunday touring, which was rather fulfilling for the distance.
As usual, I woke up around 8:00 a.m. and looked out the window of the hotel.
As usual, we had no plan, but we left the hotel with the intention of gaining altitude first.
We found a parking space in the shade and started walking... First, we walked up and down along the road for quite a while. According to the sign at the entrance of the canyon, there are three waterfalls ahead.
But the first waterfall is almost invisible from the route... Nevertheless, it felt good to walk in the greenery, so we continued on.
The air in the mountains was cool as expected. Even with my lack of exercise, it was a pleasant walk up and down the mountain, and I came to the first waterfall.
There was a rock just in front of the waterfall basin, so we sat down and took a break. I never stopped by this waterfall during the cold season, but since I basically like clear water, I'll be making more stops at waterfalls in the coming seasons. Riding a bike all day is not enough exercise for me, so I have to walk a bit.
After enjoying the first waterfall, we continued on through the gorge and found this at the end of the path. It was a nice three-tiered waterfall.
My body was sweaty from the long walk, but I felt refreshed. After looking at the waterfall for a while, we went back the way we came.
After returning to the parking lot where we had secured shade, we took a short break and continued on.
From Nasu to Nikko, we drove along the Nisshoku Momiji Line and arrived there quickly. We took a route that avoided the city of Nikko and drove along the shore of Lake Chuzenji, and from here we just kept gaining altitude. After a while, there are places where ice still remains on the north slope.
As we approached the Kinseitoge tunnel, the altitude was approaching 2,000 meters. It was so cool that I couldn't believe that it would be extremely hot down there.
There was still a pile of snow in the parking lot where we slid in after exiting the tunnel....
I took an afternoon tea out of my seat bag, buried it in the snow I dug up, chilled it, and took a break.
After that, we took the Japan Romantic Road to Gunma and quickly headed for the Kan-etsu Highway. We didn't run into any significant traffic jams, but as we were driving... It was hot. I poured water on my shirt at the SA to cool down my body as I drove. .... We took our last break at Miyoshi PA when the sun was setting.
We returned home quickly and finished our Sunday touring, which was rather fulfilling for the distance.