The Tokai Nature Trail starts from the trailhead of the "Route 1 Hiking Trail" on Mount Takao.

While you can take a cable car almost to the summit of Mount Takao, and the "Route 1 Hiking Trail" is a paved road, making it a mountain sometimes climbed by elementary school students on field trips, it is actually one of Japan's most sacred mountains, having been opened to the public in 744.

With a solemn heart, I first climbed to the summit of Mount Takao, and then walked the memorable "first course of the Tokai Nature Trail": "Mount Takao → Shiroyama → Sagamiko." (June 21, 2020)　　　(Nihedon @ KesaranPasaran Lab)

The date for this trip was June 21, 2020, after the COVID-19 situation had calmed down somewhat. It was drizzling in the morning, but by the time I arrived at Takaosanguchi Station, the rain had stopped. By the time I reached the summit, there were still some clouds, but patches of blue sky were visible, and it wasn't too hot ? a perfect day for a mountain hike.

Because I hadn't been able to go out much due to the COVID-19 situation, this was a long-awaited start to my "Tokai Nature Trail Patchwork Conquest." However, my body couldn't keep up with my willpower, and it took me over 5 hours to get from Takaosanguchi Station to Sagamiko Station. (Apparently, it's usually a 4-hour hike.)

So, by the time I arrived at Sagamiko Station, I was already in full drinking mode. Cold sake really hits the spot when you're exhausted!

It seems like the "drinking after descending the mountain" will be the main event rather than the hike itself, but I want to continue this "Tokai Nature Trail Patchwork Conquest," even if it means pushing my aging body to its limits.