22 May 2026 - 21:18
Well, that felt like a lot of cycling uphill! I've ended the day 983m higher up than I started it according to Oruxmaps, at a very interesting campsite.
The weather was kinder than forecast, with some sunshine and no rain ⛅🙂
Kisokuma Reisui Park has free camping (and it's almost as busy as the free camping I had lunch at by lake Biwa), but they have a lovely shop selling all sorts of things (at high mountain marked-up prices, but not excessive). They have food and drink (including ice-creams!) plus a grill and a couple of microwaves to heat things. I'll have to check for veggie food tomorrow evening (I bought extra food at the supermarket before leaving the valley to climb up to the campsite...maybe sufficient for tomorrow night too, but happy to top it up!).
The other winning feature for a campsite that will get a bit chilly, being at 1300m or so, are hot baths (including showers). You have to book an hour slot for 1000 yen (about £5), but can soak for a while to warm up 🙂 It's not quite an onsen, but is private, and is very welcome after a long uphill ride!
I was thinking I'd only be able to stay 2 nights here, but maybe I'll make it 3 and have a couple of days hiking... Same mountain, mount Komagatake, different routes or wandering to other nearby summits? Or maybe as heavy cloud is forecast all day tomorrow, I'll even be able to stay for a hike on Monday when there's some sunshine in the forecast...