Kishojiyama Green Park--Kiln Hike

Yesterday was Veteran's Day (thank you veterans!) and we decided to get out and explore Japan.  After a fairly rough night, we decided to stay local.  This hike is about 20 minutes from our house.  I know, right?!  How lucky we are, beach and mountains so close!  We are seriously spoiled.  Anyway, this hike was beautiful.  Almost the entire hike was right along this cute little stream. 

 

 

There were also a handful of waterfalls along the way.

 

 

 I think we caught the tail-end of all of the beautiful autumn leaves.

 

 

The hikes here in Japan are different than most of the ones we've done in the States because they have stairs all over the place. 

 

We counted a grand total of 410 stairs on this particular hike.  And that's only going up.  We had to get back down too!

 

The Japanese also pay attention to detail the way Americans don't seem to.  It results in random, fun things all over the place.  Hence the bird totem pole in the middle of the forest.

 

My cute boys. 

And the girls!  (I have a partner in crime now!)

 

It was such a beautiful hike--I think one of the best ones we've done so far here.  The cherry on top? We didn't see another soul.  So incredibly rare in this heavily populated country.  We love it here!