hiking – Susan Spann, Adventure, Mystery, and Mountains

The Ume That Almost Weren’t . . .

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog March 4, 2019March 4, 2019hiking, plum blossoms, ume

Last week I went hiking in Tochigi Prefecture, three hours northeast of Tokyo, in search of more summits for the 100 Summits Project and, perhaps, to see some ume (plum) blossoms, which herald the arrival of spring here in Japan. I found the mountains. However, the ume tried to elude me. Did I find them? Click over to Murder is Everywhere and see…

Riding the Haruna Ropeway

Susan Spann Blog February 27, 2019February 24, 2019climbing, gondola, hiking, Japan, ropeway

Japan has many mountains, and many ropeways (often called “gondolas” in the States). While some go all the way to the top of mountains, others–like the Haruna Ropeway in Gunma Prefecture–carry visitors only most of the way to the top. On the day I visited (February 23, 2019), windchill dropped the temperature well below freezing–so cold that my fingers went numb in the seconds it took to remove my gloves and snap even a single photo. I have seldom been so glad that, in Japan, a ropeway-assisted “climb” still counts as climbing the relevant mountain. (As one Japanese climber told

The “Fuji” of Gunma Prefecture

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog February 24, 2019February 24, 2019Haruna, Harunako, hiking, Japan, Mt. Haruna

Mt. Fuji’s iconic shape is so beloved in Japan that other stratovolcanoes that share the “classic cone” configuration are often nicknamed in homage to the famous peak. Mt. Haruna rises 1,390 meters high, towering over the shores of Lake Haruna (Harunako) in Gunma Prefecture, about 4 hours from Tokyo. (A little less than 3 hours by shinkansen and local train from Tokyo station, followed by a 90-minute bus ride from Takasaki Station to Harunako) At first glance, if you didn’t know what you were looking at, you might even mistake Harunafuji for the real thing. In addition to its Fuji

New Year Fireworks at Fuji Five Lakes

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog January 27, 2019January 27, 2019fireworks, hiking, Japan, New Year, travel

I tend to plan my travel fairly thoroughly, but always leave enough flexibility in my plans to enjoy the unexpected opportunities that happen frequently here in Japan. Last week, I traveled to the Fuji Five Lakes region, near Mt. Fuji, to continue my climbs for the 100 Summits project. While on the train to Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi), I saw a flyer advertising New Year fireworks–a common celebratory event here in Japan. To my surprise, the flyer said the final night of fireworks was that very night–and since my ryokan (traditional inn) was located near the lake, I hoped I would be able to

The Legend of Mt. Tsukuba

Susan Spann Blog January 7, 2019January 7, 2019hiking, Japan, Japanese legends, Tsukuba

While most people have heard of Mt. Fuji, many Western visitors have never heard the name of Fujisan’s “rival,” Tsukubasan, or the legend that created the historical rivalry between the peaks.

Halfway to 100!

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog January 3, 2019January 3, 2019100 Summits, hiking, mountains, Tsukuba

On December 31, 2018, I climbed Mt. Tsukuba – at 871 and 877 meters, its peaks are among the smallest of the Nihon Hyakumeizan (100 famous mountains of Japan) but the peak itself has important links to the Japanese creation myths, as well as a “rivalry” against Mt. Fuji (which Fujisan may or may not be aware of).
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98 Kilometers On The Kumano Kodo Nakahechi

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog November 30, 2018100 Summits, hiking, Japan, Kumano Kodo, Nakahechi, travel

I’ve just returned from a 7-day, 98-km hike along the Kumano Kodo, a group of pilgrimage trails through Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture. Pilgrims of all social classes, from retired emperors and samurai to Buddhist nuns and priests, have traveled these mountainous trails on foot for more than 1,000 years.

Almost-Halfway 100 Summits Update!

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog November 16, 2018#100Summits, 100 Summits, Corinne O'Flynn, hiking, Mitake, Mount Mitake, mountains

I’ve been climbing my way through the autumn, and simultaneously working on the next Hiro Hattori mystery (tentatively titled Ghost of the Bamboo Grove), and it occurred to me that I’ve been a bit remiss in my blogging updates. Whoops . . . The summit count currently stands at 43 – a respectable almost-halfway total, though the coming snow will present some challenges moving forward.

A Precious Moment At a Snail’s Pace

Susan Spann Blog November 1, 2018hiking, Kyoto, philosophy, snail

The 100 Summits Project has taught me many things–most of which, I’m saving for the book, but a few of these lessons bear repeating here, as well as in the larger story. Case in point: the snail’s pace. I saw this lovely fellow climbing down a wall on Mt. Daimonji, in Kyoto, about a week ago.

Torikabuto and Takanosu

Susan Spann 100 Summits, Blog October 23, 2018October 23, 2018100 Summits, aconite, Hakone, hiking, Japan, summits, Takanosu

Yesterday saw the addition of three more peaks to my #100Summits list, thanks to a traverse of two peaks and a gondola-assisted climb of a third in the Hakone area. While I’ll give more details about the later two climbs in the weeks to come, today I’m sharing a little about the first, which also involved research for my next Hiro Hattori mystery (the first one to involve a ghost).

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