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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

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        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

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        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
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        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
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        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
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        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
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        An interview with Megumi Scott, the founder of Niseko brand Pow Bar.
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        Fall in Love with Kawazu

        Enjoy waterfall hikes and hot springs, beautiful beaches and delicious seafood in Kawazu on the western coast of Izu Peninsula.
    • Winter
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        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
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        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

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        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
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        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
        maota sustainable fashion

        Weaving Stories with Maota

        Maota is a small-scale clothing line working with local craftsmen in the countryside of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. While their focus is on small, local and “slow” fashion, they are moving fast toward some big goals.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
    • Races and Events
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        2023 Summer Music Festivals

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        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

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Hiking With Humans

My name is Bose. At least that is what my dad always calls me, so it must be my name. When he is angry with me, he will yell, “Bose!” But, when he barks at Lana, he doesn’t say “Bose,” so it must be my name.

I have fur all over me. Some of it is white and some black. But, my dad doesn’t have any hair, except a small patch on the top of his head. He does have a lot of coats though – red, yellow, green, blue. He’s wearing red now.

Today we left the house and hopped into the square box with wheels, which took us to a mountain where we went for a walk. This walk was longer than our normal walks. I can’t read the signs, so I’m not sure where we went, but we were gone for days and days.

Lana came with us too. She is just a little pup who’s always snotty and tries to boss me around. I am better in the mountains than she is, though. She can’t get up the big rocks and is even scared of the stairs. Shoot, she can’t even carry her own pack.

I’m always telling her to have her dad buy her a backpack, but I don’t think she likes heavy things, so she doesn’t want one.

Packs are heavy, and it is tough trying not to think about all the delicious food stuffed in there. And sometimes you get stuck between rocks and can’t move. It’s tough sometimes, but I do get complimented by the old men and women we meet on the trail. We’ll stop, dad will bark something at them, and they will always smile and say to me, “What a good boy!”

Besides my dad, Lana and me, there are two other people with us on this trip. One is Lana’s dad, and the other someone they call “Senior,” I think. All three of them haul big packs on their backs – a lot bigger than mine. The packs are filled with dishes, little houses to sleep in, coats and this terrible looking food they all eat.

It is already the third day of our trip. There is nothing but rocks now, and we put up our three small houses on a really high place. We have stayed in many different areas, but this is the most rugged. Halfway through our set-up, it starts to get dark.

Dad finally turns to Senior and says, “Let’s stay at the open space we passed a while back,” so we head back. It was becoming dark, and I was a little nervous during the walk back, but now I am OK.

Dad and I stay in the same shelter, and Lana and her dad sleep together in theirs. Senior has his own bright red one, but I wonder if he is lonely there? We all get together in Lana’s place and have dinner. It is a tight fit, but everyone has fun. Lana and I are pretty tired so, before we know it, we are asleep.

It starts to rain In the middle of the night as dad and I sleep in our little shelter. Dad whispers, “As long as it’s not a thunderstorm, we’re fine, but it’s still a little scary, eh?” Come morning, though, the sun shines through and there are clouds all around us. It is beautiful. Lana wags her tail as she comes out of her little house, a big smile on her face. We all eat together and have a drink of water. Dad and his friends also drink some stinky brown stuff.

We pack up and hit the trail. Today’s hike is a tough one. Dad holds me close as we come down from some high places and sometimes he lowers me by a rope. Lana is so scared she cannot come down, so her dad picks her up and brings her with him.

They say mountain priests used to walk along this path in white robes. These priests seemed to like doing things the hard way. Halfway down, we saw a rock with a sword stuck in it. I guess they really were here.

It starts to get dark again, so it looks like we’ll end today’s walk soon. But, suddenly someone steps out of a big shelter, gets angry, and yells, “No dogs allowed. You cannot take them any farther up, because there’s no trail for them to walk. Keep your dogs back.”

Dad barks back that we were planning to turn back anyway. But we’d already come this far. I wonder why those folks get so angry over dogs. I am on a leash, and he picks up after me. I do not even chase after the birds and deer, and I always stick with him on the trails.

Sure, I sometimes have to stop to go to the bathroom, but so does he. He just shrugs and says, “Well, there’s always something with some people.” Some folks just do not like dogs. Maybe some bad dogs ruined it for the rest of us.

Tomorrow is the last day of our long walk. It will be nice to go home, but I sure hope I get a chance to go on another hike with Lana and everybody.

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