Back Number Vol. 142 Family friendly traveling spots for an outdoor man/women

This story was written by Kazuki Kaneiwa      Translated by Yumiko Mori

Time really flies and my turn to contribute an article just came. To be honest, I would love to write about the climbing endeavours but sadly I injured my fingers lately. As a result I was forced to take a break from climbing this past month. While waiting for a recovery, I decided to take my family for a vacation. 

Signiture unique formation of rocks at Hotokegaura  

My main goal for this trip is visit my parent's place-Otaru city, Hokkaido where used to thrive as an entrance harbour city. However it's been experienceing declining population and higher rate of aging. As many rural cities have in common, some youth chose to stay and some chose not. I was definitely the latter. Maybe I was afraid of being part of decay and became oblivious. Also I have been always wanting to see the world and held the belief that there should be somewhere (perfect place for me) in the world... 

Sunset at Tsugarukaikyo

Aside from that sentimental feelings I added another purpose as a family trip. So we decided to make a round trip between Otaru and Rishiri. Initially my plan was flying into the Shin-Chitose airport but it was costly and we couldn't get to take our car with us. So we ended up choosing the ferry that runs between Ooma (Shimo-kita-han-tou) and Hakodate.
On my way back I chose another ferry route between Otaru and Niigata. It would roughly still take 2000km drive so I managed to get 10 days off my work.
  

Koiwai Farm Horse Train

"As we rush through our trip it will lose its essential part" I couldn't agree more.  In this way I supoese the best trip can be only achieved by using our feet... Then maybe "walking across Japan" Or "completing the best 100 mountains in Japan without using transportation" would be the best way to travel. When it comes to having the best memory while travelling"Slower is better" So instead of viewing transportation as a mean seeing it as part of purpose. The trip would be unforgetable experience. 

With this equation for the fun travel in mind,I'd always get confused to be asked how my flight was because by choosing flying I am choosing the fastest method over other joy that travel brought with... To be polite I would just say only one appropriate answer...Yes It was good...

Nebuta's house  Wa・Rasse 

Aside from how the method and speed affect your experience of your trip, My goals of this trip are making family memory and successfully meeting everyone's requests.
Balancing family life and my mountain careeer are always my biggest focus.

"Hayabusa" in the process of combing 

Hachiman Marsh

Since I have never been Iwate and Aomori, I have reserached a couple of popular mountains in the region. Hachimandaira is one of the easy hike route and little elevation gain so I managed to take my child with me for a quick afternoon hike. I was able to use a stroller all the way and it was about an hour so definitely a good place to visit for a family with a small kid.

Massive forrest at Hachimandaira

Even during the short walk the beauty of the wetland was outstanding. I remembered someone wrote that this kind of terrain is ideal for skiing. Personally I feel this might be boring as the hill doesn't seem to be steep enough to make exciting routes. However depending on how you picture the scene it might show you another face. For example, if you come here before they plow snow, this land became massive primitive looking land so it will have its unique character.

Curious kid at a hotel 

Aomori Ken by Michi Nara

Wetland at Mt.Hakkouda

Mt. Hakkouda seemed to be a little long route to go with a baby. So I decided to make a quick solo hike. Starting from Sangayu making a loop around the mountain for about 2 hours. Early morning wetland was surprisingly pleasant and beautiful. I wrote down this place in my mind re-visit section. Although as much as I wanted to try Mt. Iwate and Mt. Iwaki, I decided to visit them during the winter time for another fun to ski down.

Gorgeous sunny day at Osoreyama 

After the refreshing morning hike and going back to the town it was still in the morning. 

On my whim I checked out the Harimine at Hotokegaura with a hope of it might be still climbable condition. Ended up realizing the condition was far from climbable and it was just very loose and fragile. 

Appear to be climbable?? Uniuqe rock formation at Hotokegaura

To sum up my trip I indulged myself with an amazing rice bowl topped with tuna and sea urchin at a restaurant near my hotel. Overall my first visit to Shimokita Hantou ended up as a successful trip. Next time I would like to throw some rock climbing at Nuidouishiyama as part of itenerary.  

Tuna and seaurchin 

Thank you for reading!!