After enjoying a leisurely climb for 1.5 hours, we reached a communications tower, located about 500 meters below the summit:
I got a photo of the communications tower's sign, which shows the name of the mountain (top). The map shows Kanagawa prefecture in yellow, with the mountain's location marked by a small, red dot.
Past the communications tower, were bilingual signs marking various routes up the mountain:
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| Our hike was a total of 3.1 kilometers. Very easy! |
Yesterday, I mentioned that many women brought large packs for this short climb. Why? We were holding a nabe party (=a kind of Japanese hot stew)!
Nabe is traditionally eaten in the fall and winter months. It's simple, full of vegetables and warms your body up quickly.
The group unpacks all the ingredients:
Group members set up three burners with pots for the stew:
We made kimuchi nabe, which is a Korean, spicy stew. It's full of vegetables: leeks, onions, cabbage, potatoes. I brought tofu and another lady even brought octopus!!
My nabe:
As is tradition in Japan, we had to toast our fun climb. Some women brought beer, or cans of cocktails. Alcohol can be drunk in public here. Doesn't that make you happy??? ^_^
To say "cheers" in Japanese it's: "kam-pie!!"
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| As a non-drinker, I toasted with a vitamin drink. |
A lady recommended adding cheese to the nabe for a creamy taste. For my second helping, I tried that. Delicious!! ^_^
View of the summit area:
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My friend had recently returned from a trip to Africa. She shared these dried fruits. ^_^
Sign showing Mount Oogusu 大楠山 and its height: 242 meters. Very small eh?
After cleaning up, we hiked an easier, different route to the bottom. This route is often used by mountain bikers:
At the bottom, we walked though a rural neighborhood:
This bulldog caught my eye:
A sign marker showed the distance to the nearest bus stop:
Our bus stop for the return trip to Zushi station:
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| This sign says there is a bus which also goes to Yokohama YCAT station. |
Tomorrow, I'll share a scenic fishing spot. ^_^
~ Information ~
Oogusu mountain is located in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa prefecture. The mountain is only 242 meters high, making this a very easy climb.
Access:
-- From JR Zushi station, take a bus labeled: 長井、(Nagai) 市民病院、(Citizens Hospital) 大楠芦名口行きバス (Okusu-Ashina Exit). Get off at Mae-da-bashi stop. Cost: ¥360 one way ($3.60)
-- From the bus stop, turn left and walk down the small road until you reach the river. The trail starts on your right at the river.
Map and site for Oogusu Mountain (Japanese only):
HERE
On Google Maps, JR Zushi station:
HERE
--You can take a train from Kamakura (a Kyoto-like town, closest to Tokyo) to Zushi station. Kamakura information is HERE (via Japan Guide)
A hiking guide to Japanese mountains and their trails is HERE. (via Hiking in Japan)
A sample recipe for Kimuchi nabe is HERE. (via Just One Cookbook -- an excellent site for Japanese recipes.)
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