Events June 2004
2004-06-05 09:00:00 - 2004-06-05 18:00:00 | Cycling ***Rokko Mtb ride, *Rescheduled* to Sat. June 5th
Dean's MTB trip for this weekend has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 5th. Please see the trip info below if you are interested.Hi ,
Anyone interested in mountain biking new routes on Rokko singletracks? First some easy cycle up a fire road called Nihonmatsu rindo http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=34.42.12.279&el=135.9.56.320&la=1&sc=3&CE.x=256&CE.y=423.
Then on towards Futatabi park where we will take a break
http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=34.43.37.752&el=135.11.44.297&la=1&fi=1&sc=4.
Have lunch and snacks and then down Sumidani towards Ooike and back up Yamadamichi
http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=34.44.18.425&el=135.10.44.298&la=1&fi=1&sc=3
and finally down Iyagadani http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?nl=34.41.17.927&el=135.8.2.174&la=1&sc=4&MU.x=4&MU.y=11.
End up at Hirano near Kobe stn. There are lot of nice views to take in.
Total about 40km. If you're interested reply at dean.jj@k7.dion.ne.jp.
  Bring lunch,raingear, and a light mountain bike kit (spare tubes, repair
tools,air
pump )
Leader :
Meet :
Talk to Dean about time and place
cell # 090-428-48-147
home# 078-341-0883
Cost :
Free
2004-06-05 12:30:00 - 2004-06-05 18:00:00 | Hiking *
A Day Hike To Maya-san (Kobe), Sat., Jun 5th
*Please note, the meeting time has been postponed to 12.30*I will run a day hiking to Maya-san which is the next mountain of Rokko-san.
Maya-san has good view points so if it will be a clear day we can enjoy a great view of Kobe, Osaka and Ki-peninsula. Also you can see the Kansai air port.
The walk time is around 4 or 5 hours. I think it is a one star activity.
Bring a lunch, a rain gear and proper clothes. Even if it is an early summer the top of the mountain might be a bit cold.
If you are interested please contact me.
suzukiym@ybb.ne.jp
Yoshimi Suzuki
Leader :
Meet :
The meeting point is at Hankyu Oji-koen station west exit at 12:30 pm. We will hike to Maya-san from there and then go down to Sannomiya where we can go to an izakaya to have a beer.
2004-06-06 09:30:00 - 2004-06-06 17:00:00 | Cycling *1/2
Kodomo no Mori, Beginner's MTB Ride and Workshop, June 6th
Chinatsu&Rolf are organizing a mountain bike event for beginners atSunday, 6th June 2004 (For beginners but also advanced MTBikers are
welcome!). The MTB instructor, Nishihata-san, will advise you how to cycle on
a MTB. We’ll cycle around the Kodomo no Mori, about 15km. Check out the map at http://www.mapion.co.jp/c/here?S=all&F=mapi2314168040501131857
You should
bring a bike, a helmet, gloves, lunch, snacks and drink. Maintenance
tools, a pump, and a spare tube and a map are useful, if you have.
Everybody can join us how is able to find his/her balance on a bicycle.
If you do not have your own bike yet, we provide 4 MTBs free of charge but please let us know ASAP if you want to borrow a bike from us.
Please let us know if you want to participate by June 3rd, 2004. Use
e-mail this message board or Rolf_Chinatsu@yahoo.com
If the propability of rain is 50%, the event will be postponed to 10th
July.
Leader :
Meet :
If you come by car, we'll meet at 10:00am at Kodomo no mori Parking Site ....see http://www.mapion.co.jp/c/here?S=all&F=mapi2314168040501131857
If you come by train, we'll meet at Kintetsu Minami-Ikoma station 9:30am
We meet at Kodomo no Mori Free Parking site in Nara Prefecture at 10 a.m.
Cost :
Your personal lunch and transportation to the site.
2004-06-09 20:00:00 - 2004-06-12 18:00:00 | Hiking **
Tokyo IAC Hike In Kansai: Kumanokodo Pligrim Trail, June 9-12
IOC Memebers,We have been invited to participate in a Tokyo, IAC hiking event in Wakayama-ken. Please see the details below and contact Leo Ramos from the IAC to sign up.
Hike, 3 days, Wakayama-ken; Kumanokodo (historic pilgrim
trail). Staying in Minshuku or cheap hotels.
Route: 3 days of hiking to Kumano Taisha (Hongu) and Kumano Nachi Taisha. This area and this
trail in particular are kind of famous. It is rumored that the
area will become nominated for the World Cultural Heritage status, which may make it more busy than it is today. Reference:http://www.hongu.jp/
Onsen:
There are many hot springs in this area. We will visit
probably two of these:
Kawayu and Yunomine
Weather:
We expect rain. Hopefully not a lot, but this area usually
gets some.
Gear:
Sleeping and Food equipment are mostly *not* necessary, but we are hiking, and carrying everything with us, then staying in Minshuku. There are some places to shop, and we can get bento from each Minshuku. Of course, rainwear, good hiking shoes and clothes are in order.
Contact:
Leo Ramos
leoramos@yahoo.co.jp
Leader :
Meet :
Meet: Wednesday evening, June 9, at Kansai (Osaka)
airport or Shin-Osaka JR station
Cost :
Budget prices for Kansai members
2004-06-19 10:00:00 - 2004-06-19 16:00:00 | Hiking *1/2
Minoo-no-taki Falls
After organizing some successful cycles from time to time, it's time to try arranging my very first hike. And what better place to start, than the easy hike up to the "Minoo-no-taki Falls". Most of you probably already went up here in the autoum time to watch the foliage, but the area is also beautiful in the spring or summer.If I manage to find my way around, the hike should also include a visit to the Katsuoji temple.
Bring your lunchbox and we'll do a picnic in the forest.
---
This natural park, famed for its beautiful scenery, stretches across the northern mountainous districts of Minoo City at altitudes ranging from 100 to 600m. It was designated a quasi-national park on the 100th anniversary of the enthronement of the Meiji emperor.
The Minoo-no-taki Falls, known also as Tenka-no-Meibaku (Great Falls of the Nation), weave into a forested valley, and in this region live some 980 species of plants and 3,000 species of insects. Along with being one of Osaka Prefecture's most precious natural forests, this park also serves as the western starting point for the Tokai nature footpath. The mysterious roar of the Minoo-no-taki Falls-5m across and with a 33m drop-serves to deepen the awe-inspiring atmosphere.
Leader :
Meet :
Hankyu Minoo Station around 10.00
2004-06-20 09:00:00 - 2004-06-20 18:00:00 | Cycling *1/2
Beginner and Intermediate Cycling in Nara, Sun., June 20th
Start at JR Nara Station, head up one climb behind Nara Park to the tea house. Follow our favourite route to Kasagi, cruising through a variety of landscapes, along streams, gloriously down hill to Kasagi. About 30km. In Kasagi, beginners may stop, have an onsen bath and headhome by JR train. Those who choose may go on an extra 50km, with more climbing training, in the hills north of the Kizu river. Loop around and finally back to JR Kamo station. The second half is much more difficult than the first, but "easy" compared to the ride to Koyasan on
May 22-23. Maximum climbs to 500 meters or so. A mountain bike or cross bike is needed for this event as it is about 10% on dirt trails. Bring helmet, waterbottle, extra tube and simple tool kit, pump, snacks/lunch. Noodles may be bought at the teahouse.
Contact Jacquelyn E. to join this event.
Leader :
Meet :
Start at JR Nara Station
Time: Contact Jacquelyn Elliot directly to find out the meeting time.
Cost :
Free
2004-06-20 10:30:00 - 2004-06-20 18:00:00 | Hiking **
Day Hike to the Konan Alps (Shiga Prefecture), Sunday, June 20th
*Cancelled due to weather conditions*This is a great little hike that will take us to the top of a 491m peak with some really cool rock formations. Just remember not to lean over too far because it is a bit of a drop down to the bottom. The hike should take 4 to 5
hours depending on how long we stop for lunch and how much time people want to spend scambling over the rock formation(s). Even though we will only reach an elevation of 491m, it is not a flat hike. There are a couple of areas where you might have to pull yourself up with your
hands, and in one place there is a rope in place to help (just in case). However, with that said I don't think it is any more difficult than walking up to the shrine in Himedji (you know, the one used in the Last Samauri.
Please eat a big breakfast because I would prefer stopping for lunch at the top where we can sit and eat on the rock formations (and maybe take a snooze)overlooking the valley. By starting at 10:30 we should arrive sometime
around 12:30 or 1:00. In addition to the normal hiking gear I suggest packing a light long sleeve shirt for one section of the trail where the bush is kind of overgrown.
As well, if there is any kind of heavy rainfall (like this past week) just before the hike I think it might be a good idea to waterproof your shoes as there are also a few small creeks we have cross over. It should be a great time so I hope to see as many of you out as possible. I'll check the weather forecast on the Friday before the hike and if there is a
better than 40% chance of rain in the area I will postpone the event until the following weekend so please keep your eye on the IOC message board.
Leader :
Meet :
JR Kusatsu station
Transportation Details:
From Sannomiya Kobe: JR Shinkaisoku 8:38 (1,450 Yen)
From Umeda Osaka: JR Shinkaisoku 9:00 (1,150 Yen)
From Kyoto Station: JR Shinkaisoku 9:28 (400 Yen)
Arrive at JR Kusatsu: 9:48
Bus from JR Kusatsu: 10:00 (420 Yen)
Arrive at the base of the mountain: 10:25
Cost :
See above...
If you can, I suggest picking up discount tickets somewhere to make the transportation cost more bearable.
2004-06-26 08:00:00 - 2004-06-27 20:00:00 | Multiple **
Shodoshima Camp, June 26-27 *rescheduled*
*NOTE* cancelled again due to weather and participators cancellation, will be reposted at another date *NOTE**NOTE* rescheduled from 12/13 of June - all old reservations has been cancelled ! If you wish to join, you have to re-sign up *NOTE*
This double event is not to be missed - Both hiking and cycling ! Experience the Kankakei Gorge (http://www.kankakei.co.jp/), Olive gardens, awsome nature, sandy beaches - all spiced up with the "IOC ingredient", a barbeque !
We'll be staying at the Yoshida Camp (http://outer.town.uchinomi.kagawa.jp/olive/yoshida/f_yoshida.htm), there will be a nearby onsen and a biiig barbeque is planned. The IOC has three tents which can be borrowed.
Sign up before June 20th, and I'll run both ferry and camp reservations.
As I will lead a cycle on both days, first day a trip to the Kankakei Gorge area and second day a "century" run of the coast, I will need a volunteer to guide the hikers. My plan is, upon arrival to proceed to the camp to quickly unload our baggage, so we can ride/walk freely.
The weekend program
After arrival at the ferry terminal, we'll head to the Yoshida camp site to unload our baggage. From there, we'll part into two groups, one of cyclers and one of hikers - the program is below.
We aim to meet back at the campsite around 17.00-17.30, where we'll fire up the barbeques and bring out the cold beers. The BBQ will be potluck style, so please bring some foods to share on the grill.
On the second day, we'll break camp and will try pursuade the campsite to hold our gear till we're done with the days events.
- Cycling
Day 1 (26th June): We'll leave the camp and ride past the Yoshida Dam heading route 246 for Kankakei Gorge area. We'll ride the Skyline road. We follow Route27, 26 and 252. We ride back towards the campsite either on coastal road 436 or 29 into the mountain area.
Day 2 (27th June): To the extent roads makes this possible, we'll follow the coast around the island, letting us experience the beautiful coastal views and a more easy and flat cycle, but extended in length. We'll make stops at the worlds smallest strait in Tonosho, and the Olive Grove of Uchinomi city.
- Hiking
I need a volunteer to arrange a halfday (26th June) and a fullday (27th June) hike. Hiking ideas can be found on this page http://www.shodoshima.or.jp/reijyo/henromiti.htm and bus information on this page http://www.shodoshima-bus.com/index.html. Please contact me asap if you wish to do the hikes.
- Alternative activities
It is possible to try rock climbing at the Yoshida Dam - very near to the campsite. This area featuring more than 100 routes !! (Check : http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/listSection.php?SectionID=1836)
Sights Information
- Kankakei Gorge
It supposedly took two million years to create the natural remote area of Kankakei Gorge. It's known as one of the three most beautiful gorges in Japan. Rare shaped rocks and stones can be found here - these are caused by erosion from rain and wind. The view from the cable car that goes above the deeply cut gorges is outstanding. As a bonus, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Seto Inland sea.
- Olive Grove
Shodoshima has a suitable climate to grow olives as well as 150 other herbs, and homes the only olive grove in Japan ! The Olive main facility standing on the hills has not only information about olives but also boasts a wonderful building filled with an aroma of herbs.
Leader :
Meet :
Meet at JR Himeji station at 08.30.
Bus (unconfirmed - if you speak Japanese, I need help on this one)
Bus No. 37
Departure JR Himeji : 08.45
Arrival Himeji Port : 09.10
Price : 260y
Ferry (http://www.shikokuferry.com/kouro-sh.html)
Departure Himeji : 09:45
Arrival Fukuda : 11.25
Price : 1.320yen (per person), 1.670Yen (per person including bike)
Cost :
Transportation : 2x 3.030yen
Camping : 300yen
Onsen : 300yen
2004-06-27 10:00:00 - 2004-06-27 16:00:00 | Hiking *
Namaze - Takedao hiking *rescheduled*
Join me, on an easy hike from Namaze to Takedao, along an abandoned railroad line. We'll meet outside JR Namaze station at 10.00 tomorrow on 27th of June. (Near Takarazuka)As we need to walk through five old railway tunnels, remember to bring your flashlight. Also remember a lunch box, as we will find a spot at the riverside to enjoy it while sharing stories from other events. Bring a towel, as there is some onsens available at Takedao before we head home on the train. Raingear would be a really good idea, in case the weather doesnt hold up as promised.
The weather forecast states, the rain tomorrow should start in the afternoon. If it's pouring down before you're leaving, call me and check wether we're going or not.
I did the route the other day on my mountainbike, check a few shots from that ride here http://www.kioc.org/article/takedao_230604/
If you wish to join, email me before 09.00 tomorrow morning or call my keitai on 080 3768 8087
/ Lars (Last Minute) Jensen
Leader :
Meet :
JR Namaze station at 10.00
