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!
掲載日:2021.01.15
The Okuise region of Mie Prefecture is surrounded by beautiful water and mountains, including the Miyagawa River, the clearest stream in Japan, and the Osugidani Valley, one of Japan's three largest canyons. Certified as Yoshino-Kumano National Park and UNESCO Eco Park, Verde Odai Tourism offers a variety of outdoor programs in this area rich in nature that only those in the know know. Among them, this time we will take a walk around Kitaso Monzan in Odai OdaiTown with a man known as "Sennin" who will leave all local matters to you! I felt the mountains and clear streams to the fullest!
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.
In addition, we have taken measures such as separating the staff from the car during the experience.
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!
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.
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.
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♪
``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!
It can be fun to go into the water in the summer!
It's amazing that such a magnificent waterfall is just a short walk away!
Let's all do a high pose together! We took a commemorative photo.
Leave the majestic waterfall behind and head to the next spot.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy walking while enjoying the fresh forest air.
During our walk, Tatsumi taught us various things about the nature of the forest.
The children were completely absorbed in the nature of the mountains, and eventually started following Tatsumi like a master! (lol)
“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.
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.
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.
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/