The Hanno Alps?
Apparently there's a mountain range from Mt. Tenran to Chichibu,
and they're called the Hanno Alps.
Wow!
I think I'll go check it out tomorrow.
Sorry, I'm going for a drive with my family tomorrow.
Oh...
That's okay.
Will you be all right going by yourself?
It's close by.
I'll be fine.
I've been to Mt. Tenran and Mt. Tohnosu past that.
Mt. Tenran
Mt. Tohnosu
I think I'll try climbing from Mt. Tenkaku next.
Mt. Tenkaku
I get off at Higashi-Agano Station, and go from Mt. Tenkaku to Mt. Otaka.
It'll be a good opportunity to break in my hiking shoes.
Take care.
Here, take some rice balls.
Thanks.
It's heavy!
They're huge!
I made some for Hinata-chan, too.
I'm going by myself, though...
But Mom would worry if I told her that.
I'll see you!
Mt. Tohnosu
It's heavy, but this is probably perfect for getting in shape.
Mt. Tenran
Right.
I have to gain experience and stamina for next year's trip up Mt. Fuji.
I wonder what the Hanno Alps are like.
I can't wait!
Alps in Hanno?!
I made it!
Higashi-Agano Station!
There...
So heavy...
But this is part of my training!
Mt. Tenkaku Yugate Kohburi Pass Kitamuki-Jizo - Lake Kamakita
Mt. Tenkaku is this way... Right.
What's Yugate?
Yugate
Mt. Tenkaku
Trails with Stories
Mt. Tenkaku
Good.
It's so cool.
Mt. Tenkaku Peak
Sawasuji Course - One Course
Sawasuji Course and One Course?
One Course is drawn as a dotted line, which means it's a difficult trail.
I think I'll take the Sawasuji Course.
It's so quiet here.
There's no one around.
That's right.
I'm alone right now.
I can choose everything, including which courses I take.
Walking fast, walking slow...
I can walk at my own pace.
Everything is as I please!
This entire mountain belongs to me!
The call of shooting stars...
At the glissades...
Will I find that person, holding a flower in their mouth?
My heart's excited...
The nostalgic climbers...
I can't read it.
This is the right way, isn't it?
There's no one around to ask.
Up we go.
I'm glad I brought my gloves.
My feet are fine thanks to my new shoes, but my backpack's so heavy.
There.
Higashi-Agano Station | Mt. Tenkaku Peak
Kusumi Pass via Higashi Pass
The Mt. Tenkaku Protection Association
Mt. Tenkaku
Please take your garbage with you
I'm exhausted.
This is no fun.
Maybe I'll just go home...
I miss you, who are so smooth...
I can't wait to see you...
Am I hearing things?
My serow...
Am I seeing things?
What? Aoi-san?
Kokona-chan?
Are you all right?
I-I'm fine.
I was just taking a break.
Thank goodness.
I thought you had passed out.
Wh-What a coincidence this is.
Yes!
I'm here to see serows.
Which way did you come from?
I came up the Sawasuji Course.
I came up the One Course.
It's like I'm riding on Muma-kun's back.
There was a nice Muma-kun bench, and cute signs and things.
Watch for Snakes
Really?
What are you doing after this?
Going home...
I was thinking of going to Mt. Otaka.
May I come with you?
Mt. Tenkaku
S-Sure, of course!
Thanks for holding my bottles.
It's okay.
So you were training for Mt. Fuji, huh?
Although I already passed out at Mt. Tenkaku.
You're making great progress if you've found your limit.
You think so?
Now you just have to overcome it in your training.
I see.
It's convincing when Kokona-chan says it.
Mt. Tenran <- Left
Right
Are those your new hiking shoes, Aoi-san?
Yeah, I took the plunge.
They're very nice.
You got yours from your mom on your birthday, right?
Yes!
Kokona-chan, Kokona-chan!
A serow mother and baby!
It was nice coming up here alone, but it's still more fun being with someone.
Mt. Tenran Nenogongen Mt. Otaka
Rice ball bombs!
Thank you!
It's okay.
These are too big to eat two on my own.
Pickled plum!
It really hits the spot when you're tired.
You're right! It's so good!
Tell your mom I said thanks.
Okay!
I was only planning to come this far, but...
Want to walk a little farther, Kokona-chan?
I'd love to.
Oh, yeah. There's a nice place up ahead.
A nice place?
Nenogongen
Look at that amazing cedar tree.
Over here, Aoi-san.
These Deva king statues are so colorful.
They're so cute.
Nenogongen Tenryu Temple
Nenogongen Tenryu Temple?
Yeah.
These things.
What are these? Straw sandals?
Nenogongen enshrines the god of leg and back protection.
"Demon fire can hurt your back and legs.
Offerings
Those with injuries from their hip down must pray with sincerity."
In other words, pray to the gods here,
and they'll protect you from injuring your legs.
I wanted you to make it here if you're training.
So that you can make it to Mt. Fuji without getting hurt next year.
Yeah!
I pray that I may make it to the top of Mt. Fuji this time.
Tokyo Skytree View
It's so nice.
Yes.
It was painful and exhausting,
but none of that matters when you make it to the goal.
Thanks for coming with me, Kokona-chan.
It was fun.
Don't mention it. I had fun, too.
The Hanno Alps were surprisingly tough.
But I walked lots and gained just a little more confidence, I think.
To be continued.
To Be Continued
So what was "Yugate," anyway?
Yugate