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Togakushi and Surrounds

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Walking from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine

The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine, while covered in snow, was well marked, and the snow had been trampled by walkers who had gone before us, so was fairly packed down.  The path was easy to navigate, though the wet snow saturated our shoes and socks, and on the return journey in the early afternoon, the snow was melting into puddles and was more of an icy slush in many places.  Given we had a beautiful blue-sky day in Spring, a bit of snow melt was pretty inevitable.

The walk wound up through forests, past graveyards, through the outskirts of a village and then onto a main road with shops which led upwards to the base of the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. Forest-lined path.
The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. Walking on a forest-lined path.
The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. Forest-lined path.
The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. Forest-lined path.
A sacred tree alongside the walking track. Togakushi, Japan.
A sacred tree alongside the walking track.
The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. Forest-lined path.
The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. Forest-lined path.
The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. Forest-lined path.
The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. Forest-lined path.
Coming out from the forest-lined track into a more built-up village area. Togakushi.
Coming out from the forest-lined track into a more built-up village area.
Graveyards by the side of the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Graveyards by the side of the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Graveyards by the side of the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Graveyards by the side of the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Graveyards by the side of the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Graveyards by the side of the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Wood stockpile. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Wood stockpile. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
House with old shed. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
House with old shed. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
House with old shed. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
House with old shed. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Old Garage. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Old Garage. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Track Signpost. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Track Signpost. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Main street along the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. The Middle Shrine is at the top of the street.
Main street along the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. The Middle Shrine is at the top of the street.
Main street along the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. The Middle Shrine is at the top of the street.
Main street along the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine. The Middle Shrine is at the top of the street.
Street vending machine on the main street along the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Street vending machine on the main street along the walking track.
Shop on the main street along the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Shop on the main street along the walking track. The walking track from the Lower Togakushi Shrine to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Decorative man-hole cover. Togakushi.
Decorative man-hole cover.

Near the Middle Togakushi Shrine

Soba Noodle Resturant next to the Middle Togalkushi Shrine.
Soba Noodle Restaurant next to the Middle Togalkushi Shrine.
The town near the Middle Togakushi Shrine is known for it's handmade soba noodles. This restaurant is right next to Shrine, and the Soba noodles were delicious :)
Soba Noodle Restaurant next to the Middle Togalkushi Shrine.
Soba Noodle Restaurant next to the Middle Togalkushi Shrine.
Street in Togakushi near the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Street in Togakushi near the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Thatch-roofed building next to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Thatch-roofed building next to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Thatch-roofed building next to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.
Thatch-roofed building next to the Middle Togakushi Shrine.

WALKING FROM THE Middle TOGAKUSHI SHRINE TO THE Upper TOGAKUSHI SHRINE

Walking track from the Middle to the Upper Togakushi Shrines.
Walking track from the Middle to the Upper Togakushi Shrines.
Unlike the track between the Lower and Middle Togakushi Shrines, the track from the middle to Upper Togakushi Shrines had not had other walkers on it compacting down the snow. The snow was soft and wet, making it hard to push through (I was wearing runners and jeans - not ideal for wading through wet snow).  We started out forging our way up the path, but after the first section we changed from following the walking track to following the roads to the Upper Shrine.  The signs along the roadway were not so easy to see...we got lost and after a scenic detour through some of the local streets, we made our way to the Upper Togakushi Shrine.
Walking track from the Middle to the Upper Togakushi Shrines.
Walking track from the Middle to the Upper Togakushi Shrines.
Local roads in Togakushi.
Local roads (on our unplanned detour) between the Middle and Upper Togakushi Shrines.
Local roads in winter, Togakushi, Japan.
Local roads (on our unplanned detour) between the Middle and Upper Togakushi Shrines.
Bear warning signs along the way.
Bear warning signs along the way.
Leaves frozen in ice. Togakushi, Japan.
Icy paths
Winter forest, Togakushi, Japan
Beautiful forests alongside the roads.
Gravestones covered in snow beside the road, Togakushi, Japan.
Roadside gravestones
Winter forest, Togakushi, Japan
Beautiful forests alongside the roads.