Mt.Takao

In Nova Scotia, the first 2 weeks of October were always my favorite time of year.  In Ohio, the last 2 weeks of October and first week in November took that place.  Now, here in Japan, it looks like November, and even some of December will be when I hear the leaves crunching beneath my feet and the stunning fall colors are to be admired at every turn.  Japan is famous for its cherry and plum trees in the spring, but from all accounts its Japanese maple and Ginkgo are equally gorgeous in the fall.

The weather has been ideal, in the mid sixties most days dipping into the forties at night with beautiful sunny days.  I have been loving it and looking for any opportunity to get off base and see the colors.  On Veterans Day, or as I know it Remembrance Day, we took advantage of the day off school and work to explore Mt. Takao.  Mt. Takao is about 40 min from Yokota Air Base and famous for its hiking trails and gorgeous views of Tokyo on clear days.

Being a Monday, and not a Japanese holiday, I had hoped for less people with the same idea, but to no avail.  I can't imagine going to such a place on a weekend.
The children fussed and complained most of the time about being hungry or having sore legs, and this being no fun, but if you ask me they had it made.  What other hiking trail gives you the option of a chairlift up, and down, with vending machines and snack shops all along the way.  Cake walk hiking if you ask me.  It was hardly a resounding success with the children, and the leaves were not quite at their peak in most places but I am glad we went, a day spent together is not a failure in my mind, always a success.

                                             Veterans Day Ceremony with our two cub scouts

Andrew towers above most Japanese.  Waiting in the very long line to go up the lift   

              

                                                      Going up, chair lift with no bar in the front.
                                                       Very nerve racking with a fidgety 3 yr old!

Tommy and Stanley were loving it behind me

                                                                 View from the top

                                                               Sibling love

                     Sticky rice on a stick. Daanga is very very popular here, but very disliked by
                                                                    us all

                                              It looked good!  before the first bite.......

                       Woman praying at a shrine.  There was a long line to pray at this particular one.

                                                                      Coming down

                                                               My little sunshine

                                         These last 2 were taken at the trick art museum across from the                                                                      mountain, the children especially loved all the optical illusions.