![\"Mt](\"https:\/\/ayton.id.au\/gary\/photos\/Japan\/Nakasendo\/GD211718v1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMt Fuji from our train from Tokyo to Narai (power lines have been removed in editing)<\/p>\n
We had decided to start our trail hike in reverse direction to the usual direction and take on the 1250m elevation Torii Pass on the first day with our backpacks full of 3 days gear – but no camping gear as we had booked accommodation for each night of our hike. <\/p>\n
Despite being in Golden Week of public holidays in Japan and being late for the cherry blossom season, we were delighted to see very few tourists on our hike and were treated to some beautiful cheery blossoms as well as a wide range of Spring flowers. The weather was fantastic apart from some light rain periods on the first day of our hike. <\/p>\n
Narai<\/h2>\n
Narai-juku was one of the post towns on the Nakasendo highway officially ruled by the Edo Shogunate and is situated exactly between Edo and Kyoto. It retains a historical row of Edo period houses along the street. The buildings are unique in that the second floor overhangs the first (ground floor), with eaves sloping further to overhang the entire building. Originally the roofs were wooden slats held down by rocks but now are steel sheets. <\/p>\n
The Torii Pass was considered one of the most difficult ones to go through on the Nakasendo highway. Narai-juku prospered as travelers rested and stayed there in order to prepare for the crossing of the Pass. <\/p>\n The start of our hiking trail<\/p>\n We soon had gained some elevation over-looking Narai-juku<\/p>\n Guess we were supposed to leave money to ensure our safe passage?<\/p>\n the trail up, taken with Samsung phone<\/p>\n No one warned us about the black bears – there was strong advice to ring the bells loudly to scare off any bears on the trail – we dutifully did so along the trail and thankfully did not see any bears.<\/p>\n Traditional toilet near the top of the Torii Pass – we passed on that one as it did not come with instructions<\/p>\n Map near the top<\/p>\n Not sure the water is potable – taken with Samsung phone<\/p>\n Sorry more ascent to go yet!<\/p>\n Lost in translation – no online Google translate here<\/p>\n Slight misprint on the sign needed to be corrected apparently<\/p>\n Ontakejinja Shrine near the top of Torri Pass<\/p>\n wild magnolias at 1100m elevation<\/p>\n Views of our destination, Yabuhara in the rain<\/p>\n Final descent trail<\/p>\n Practically the only graffiti seen in our whole trip in Japan<\/p>\n Spring growth on the bonsai maple<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nTorii Pass hike<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nYabuhara<\/h2>\n
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