On a beautiful sunny afternoon we hiked up Mount Kenzan. It was my first hike in Japanese countryside, we walked for about 2 hours, first entering through some rice fields, then up into a mountain path that seems very un-used, and a bit of a secret. It was a beautiful walk with glimpses of the view changing as we climbed higher. once we reached the ridge peak we could see in both directions, the islands and the city and landscape. we took a break on some boulders, relaxed and enjoyed our efforts. the trip down was even more fun. We blazed through a steep and very overgrown path. so steep that we kept falling and sliding, grabbing onto trees for support that often were brittle and snapped off. we glimpsed wild boar running through the trees and for a time we lost the path and had to make our own way ending up coming out through a rice farm and eventually finding our way. All the while a beautiful sky added to the experience with a golden slowly setting sun.

After lunch Tetsuya and I went for a short but very energetic hike up to a rocky peak, Banzan Tateishi. it was a very steep climb straight up the mountain, we jogged most of the way until we were very exhausted. Then to get to the rock, we had to shimmy down a ridge for about 200-300 meters. Slipping on gravel and trying not to fall over, getting a face full of spider webs, trying to avoid the ones with actual spiders in them. It was a laugh, great fun. Then we emerged into a small clearing of a few boulders dominated by one proud, tall boulder, Tateishi, jutting out and visible for miles. The view was an astonishing, full 360 degree spectacle, with ocean, islands, Kagawa prefecture, Naoshima island and others, Okayama city, the mountainside behind us, and a sheer drop into forest all around us. It was a very rewarding sight, and a great place for us to hang out for an hour or so. I did a short 10 minute meditation atop the rock, what a place to do it! Tetsuya explored and relaxed on some of the other boulders. I found a great spot to recline and I made a skype video call to my parents in Australia to show off the view. All in all great exercise, an amazing spot, a very rewarding experience.

The walk to the mount Kenzan is pleasant and not too hard. Once on top, the view on Okayama is stunning, even though it was rainy when we did it.