Discover how to enjoy Okuise's mountains and rivers with Verde Odai Tourism! I experienced playing in the mountains with a hermit who knows everything about nature in OdaiTown!

The setting for today's mountain adventure experience is OdaiTown, Taki District.
What kind of person is “Sennin”? ? I was excited as I headed to Okuise Forest Pier, the meeting place for the day.
Park your car in this parking lot, register inside, and receive an explanation of the program.

Currently, participants' temperatures are being taken to prevent coronavirus infection.
In addition, we have taken measures such as separating the staff from the car during the experience.

This is Tatsumi, the guide for today's program "Let's play with the hermits of Osugidani!"
Tatsumi, who lives in the Osugidani Valley upstream of the Miyagawa River in OdaiTown, is a nature specialist in the Miyagawa River basin!
He is affectionately known as "Hermit" and is active as a mountain guide.

Tatsumi lives in a place where there are no private houses in the vicinity, no TV, no radio waves, and no running water (he lives only on water from the natural Miyagawa River!), so he lives like a hermit. I was surprised to hear that they are doing it!

By the way, Osugidani is one of Japan's three great canyons, along with Kurobe Gorge in Toyama Prefecture and Kiyotsu Gorge in Niigata Prefecture, and can be called a hidden spot in Mie.
The eight waterfalls and mountain scenery look different in each season, and it is a famous place that even mountaineers from outside the prefecture dream of climbing at least once.

This time, we will travel by car between spots, visit the mountains and waterfalls in the town, and enjoy playing in nature!
*If you wish, you can enjoy hiking in the mountains instead of driving.

Program start!
First, drive for about 10 minutes along the mountain road from Okuise Forest Pier and arrive at the entrance to the first spot, Takigashira Fudo Falls.

``It's my first time to see a waterfall!'' Let's go on an adventure to find a waterfall with a family of children!

To get to Fudo Falls, proceed along the Sonogawa River, climbing up and down.
The Sono River is one of the rivers connected to the Miya River, and is one of the few rivers that has remained as it was when Tatsumi was a child.
I feel like a mountaineer using a fallen tree branch as a walking stick♪

There were many huge rocks lying on the way.
``The rocks that are falling around here are collapsed rock walls,'' Tatsumi said. It is said that a large chunk of rock collapsed and created its current appearance.
“The power of nature is amazing!” the children were impressed!

Discover a photo spot! It's a small "mini waterfall" rather than the destination Fudo Falls, but it might be perfect for children as you can get right up close to it.
It can be fun to go into the water in the summer!

While being taught by Tatsumi-san, I was able to try my hand at natural athletics that I could not experience with park playground equipment, such as passing through the rocks myself!

About 10 minutes after we started walking, we arrived at Fudo Falls.
It's amazing that such a magnificent waterfall is just a short walk away!

The long, slender waterfall with a height of about 30m is full of elegance and is full of negative ions!

There was a puddle of clear water under the waterfall, and we all looked at it and wondered if there were any fish.

There is also Fudoson statue next door, so please visit there to commemorate your visit.

When I looked back from where I was watching the waterfall, I could see the greenery behind me and it felt great!
Let's all do a high pose together! We took a commemorative photo.
Leave the majestic waterfall behind and head to the next spot.

Next, we headed to Kitasomonzan, which is about a 10-minute drive from Fudo Falls.
Hokusomonyama is quite high at 704m above sea level, but you can drive to the observation deck at the top of the mountain, so even people who are not confident in their physical strength or small children can easily visit it.

From the observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of OdaiTown townscape, the Miyagawa River, and the surrounding mountains, making you feel refreshed!

After enjoying the scenery, go for a walk around Mt. Hokusomon. Walk in the mountains while enjoying forest bathing. The mountain path is gentle and easy to walk even for beginners!

There are information boards along the way, so you can check the course.

"Adventure time now! Let's get off here~" Tatsumi said.
When you look down, it's quite a slope...it's okay! ? Despite these concerns, the children bravely took on the challenge!
Grasp the slope slowly while holding on to the trees for balance.

When you get off the train, you will find an area called Himeshara Forest.
A fantastic space filled with countless slender, brown-trunked Himeshara trees!
It is also said to be beautiful when the leaves turn yellow in autumn.

There are almost no steep slopes in this area, and there are walking trails that allow people in wheelchairs and the elderly to enjoy the forest, making it very easy to walk.
Enjoy walking while enjoying the fresh forest air.


During our walk, Tatsumi taught us various things about the nature of the forest.

They wrapped a plant called ``Hikagenokazura'' that grew along the road like a scarf.

I was shown a puddle with traces of wild boars washing their bodies.

While walking along a forest road lined with thinned timber, he told us that OdaiTown is a town with a thriving forestry industry!
The children were completely absorbed in the nature of the mountains, and eventually started following Tatsumi like a master! (lol)

Mr. Tatsumi who guided us and Mr. Noda from Verde Odai Tourism.
“There are many ways to enjoy the mountains, not just OdaiTown, so there is no set program. I hope you will make many discoveries that you didn't know before!'' said Noda.

The "Let's play with hermits!" program is an original plan limited to one group, so you can incorporate play content according to your request.
Tatsumi will also teach you about a variety of other activities in the mountains, such as building a bonfire, building a hideout, touring around eight waterfalls and suspension bridges, and wood sledding.
If there's something you'd like to do, let's talk about it when you make your trial reservation!


Let's play with the hermit in Osugidani!
Event period: March to June, October to December, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays Request reservations/Apply on your desired date
Event time/9:00-16:00
Application deadline: 17:00 3 days before
Meeting time and location: 8:50 Okuise Forest Pier
Capacity/6 people (minimum number of participants 2 people)
Price: 8,000 yen for adults, 6,000 yen for elementary school students and younger
*Included (guide fee, Okuise Forest Pier hot spring bathing discount ticket)
What to bring/Equipment/Comfortable shoes, drinks, food, rain gear, sweat towel
For inquiries and applications, please contact Verde Odai Tourism.

In addition to the "Let's play with hermits" program, Verde Odai Tourism also offers
You can enjoy the nature of Okuise with a variety of programs such as SUP and kayaking in the clear Miyagawa River, climbing Osugidani, Kumano Kodo trekking, and cycling!
For more information, please check the Verde Odai Tourism website.

Verde Odai Tourism
Address: 308 Shimomate, Odai-cho, Taki-OdaiTown, 519-2404
Phone number: 080-4840-7315 (9:00-17:00)
Official URL／https://verde-odai.co.jp/