Lake Inawashiroko to Kusatsu

Day 38: Awakening to early morning mist on Lake Inawashiroko.	Morning mist on Lake Inawashiroko.	Dropping down from the mountains, we visit a garden which was also home to a large buddha statue.	Bridge and pond within the garden.	These koi are used to be feed. Careful, don't fall in.
Jay enjoying the sightseeing.	Another view of the pond within the garden.	The Buddhist statue stands 60 meters.	Ceremonial fountain.	There are spiral steps to the top within the statue.
At the entrance is this statue.	Spiral steps to the top.	Statue at the top.	Old traditional Japanese house within the garden area.	Inside the old Japanese house.
Inside the old Japanese house.	Inside the old Japanese house.	Inside the old Japanese house.	Here and there, the trees are showing color.	We're back in the mountains headed toward Nikko.
Homes along the river.	Jay, Andrew & Korey decide to camp by river below. Notice the natural onsen.	Geno and I decide to stay at a B&B.	Price includes dinner and breakfast. Fanciest meal of the trip.	Miso soup from a pot suspended over heat.
Our room.	Day 39: Staff and owner. Excellent services.	Owner with Geno as we prepare to ride off.	Another misty morning in the mountains.	Visiting an historic train station.
At the train station entrance.	Japanese travelers staying warm by the open fire.	Ticket window and small market.	Happening upon another popular tourist spot.	There's a Buddhist shrine along the river bank.
This is a serendipitous encounter.	Visiting the shrine built within the limestone.	Buddhist shrine.	Buddhist shrine.	Offerings are welcomed.
More visitors coming from across the river.	There are also many markets and shops for the tourist.	Old Japanese wooden doll. The styles are regional based.	Lunch today is at the local grocery store.	Narrow road through Mountains. We had 12% grades on the climb today.
Part of today's ride was along a riverbed of limestone. Locals work cooperatively.	Our cabin for the night in a small mountain community.	Relaxing after a hot onsen bath. Owner offers us some fruit.	Day 40: Series of pictures around the mountain community where we stayed.	Buddhist structure.
Zizoh Bosatsu Statues to protect children from disaster and sickness.	There are many small gardens in the community.	Gardens abound.	Backyard view.	A garden envied by any gardener.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.	An umbrella is used to protect the tomatoes	This is my kind of community.	The back porch.	An early morning smoke.
On the road again within the dense forest.	Often, our roads follow a river.	River view.	It's mostly downhill today.	But there are a lot of tunnels in the mountains.
The trade off: ride a scary tunnel or climb a mountain.	Regional dam.	Taking a break to enjoy the views. Today, Jay got the only flat tire of the trip. Why me?	Lunch break outside of Nikko city.	More stops to enjoy the views.
The view.	Road to Nikko.	The weather is starting change for the worst.	Downtown Nikko by the bus station.	The station area was bustling with people..
This street in Nikko was lined with businesses.	Shinkyo (the Sacred Bridge) in Nikko	Riding through town looking for the ryokan (hotel).	Our ryokan is the building on the right.	Late afternoon walk along the river.
Late afternoon walk along the river.	Zizoh Bosatsu Statues within famous Nikko park along the river.	Buddhist saints are believed to protect children from disaster and sickness.	The Sacred Bridge in Nikko at night.	Geno and I hit the streets of Nikko at night looking for food.
We're at a popular restaurant for foreign tourist. Wall lined with notes from former diners.	Day 41: Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.
Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Gateway to the Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Pagoda near Toshigu Shrine.	Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	There are a lot of visitor here.
The craftsmanship is amazing.	Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.
Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Washing hands and rinsing mouth before praying.	Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Visiting the famous Nikko Toshigu Shrine.	Toshigu Shrine in detail.
Toshigu Shrines in detail.	Toshigu Shrines in detail.	Toshigu Shrines in detail.	Toshigu Shrines in detail.	Toshigu Shrines in detail.
The Interior.	The Interior.	This was our first experience at a popular shrine visited by many.	Annual Archery Event in Nikko. Participants dressed in traditional clothing.	Contestants paraded through the crowds.
Contestants paraded through the crowds.	Ceremony for the Contestants.	In traditional colorful clothing.	Annual Archery Event in Nikko. Another ceremonial parade.	Annual Archery Event in Nikko. Another ceremonial parade.
Annual Archery Event in Nikko. Another ceremonial parade.	Proud contestants.	Archers are on horseback and must hit three targets.	Contestant.	Day 42: Our 2nd night in Nikko was at the Kouyo Nikko Center. Today, we leave Nikko riding higher into mountains.
Stopping for pictures during the long climb.	We're glad to take a break and get out of the heavy traffic.	Top of the climb. This is a popular area, so traffic is heavy.	View from the top.	There's a cable car to the mountain top.
Example of the traffic we are riding with. Stay alert.	Entering Lake Chuzenji area.	Lake Chuzenji.	Popular area for local tourist.	Lake Chuzenji town.
We were moving faster than the line of cars at times.	Snow Monkey on side of mountain road.	Kegon Falls. The falls along this route attract many visitors.	Water heads down to Lake Chuzenji.	The gang getting oriented. Hey, this is our lunch stop.
Heading down the road to the next sight.	People headed to the waterfall.	Yu Waterfall. Feels like the water is coming right at us.	Wow, what at sight! The water drops 166 ft.	More fall colors and more climbing follows.
The view from above.	Jay's enjoying the fall colors, but "Not another climb."	The gang is waiting for us at the top of the climb. Looks cold.	Oh no, not another tunnel.	Another fast downhill descent.
Roadside fruit stand.	Colorful fruit.	The mountains are also known for mushrooms.	Our cabins in Tomemachi. One's not big enough for 5, so we got two cabins for the night.	Day 43: Fukiware Waterfall
It's 21 ft. high and 90 ft. wide.	It's called the Niagara Fall of Japan.	In winter, the waterfall is completely frozen.	Jay heads down river.	Morning light on the river.
The lower falls is the Masutobi Waterfall.	Another view of Masutobi Waterfall.	Businesses line the path to the waterfalls.	At the top of a climb with Numata city in the distance.	Geno on a fast downhill run.
Streets of Numata City	Visiting an old castle grounds.	The castle no longer exists.	But this is the view from where the castle once sat.	Another hill top view. Tonight, we stealth camped at a middle school in Nakanajo city.
Day 44: The morning ride is along a river gorge.	View of river below.	Today's destination is Kusatsu city.	An unnamed waterfall.	The river canyon.
Look carefully. This must be a shrine for fertility.	Narrow road through a mountain town.	We finally reach Kusatsu city after another long hard climb. Some area information.	Yubatake, a "hot water field" at the center of Kusatsu city.	This is the city's main source of hot spring water.
Hot water output of 5,000 liters per minute.	Water bubbling to the surface is more than 70 degrees Celsius.	The hot water is cooled in the yubatake's wooden conduits before it's distributed to users.	Shops in the early evening around the yubatake.	There's a pleasant sulfur odor here.
Businesses are clustered around the yubatake along with a steady stream of visitors.	Shrine near the city center.	We stayed at a ryokan within 10 minutes (walking) from the city center. The kids stealth camped.	Day 45: Rest day. Walking and shopping along the streets of Kusatsu.	Shopping in Kusatsu.
You can buy eggs slow cooked in the hot spring water.	Korey and Andrew window shopping for friends and family.	Jewelry making.	There are a large variety of shops in Kusatsu. Kay (my wife) would love this place.	May I have Coke please.
Taking a break from shopping.	Brightly colored hats are a good way to track the kids.	Sai-No-Kawara Park	Sai-No-Kawara Park along the Yukawa River is also a source for hot spring water.	Algae makes the water green.
It's not too hot.	Another shrine.	Learning about the local plants.	Hills above Kusatsu showing fall colors.