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September 29, 2004

that's Mr. Mount Ishizuchi to you...

Some of the junior high school teachers took Duncan and I on a hike up Ishizuchi-san. It was gorgeous and I can't wait to see what it will be like in the hues of autumn!

Collecting fresh mountain water before starting the hike, despite the odd idea of drinking from a pipe sticking out of the mountainside, this water was delicious!















Some people trek up the mountain to visit the shrine at the peak, this man in particular was wearing the all white garb and traditional tabbe shoes of a person on a pilgrimage.









As we hiked higher the clouds came closer and eventually we were surrounded by an eerie whiteness.



This tori gate was the halfway mark and our signal to stop for lunch.


A travel sized tea ceremony, marvelous! The frothy green tea is always served with sweets such compressed sugar in the shapes of leaves and cloud swirls.


And it rains, and then really rains, and then rains Japanese style...


We stayed tucked away under the shrine awning, until the attendant actually let us into the shrine because the rain was coming in sideways!


The peak became visible during a short break in the downpour. And that was the last photograph for me as we started our mad-wet-dash down the mountain. Did I mention Duncan is afraid of heights?

Posted by theinfonaut at September 29, 2004 09:49 PM

Comments

Posted by: Francis at September 30, 2004 03:05 AM