Aiming for a Break in the Rainy Season
Regarding Mount Ena, since the most accessible Hirogawara route doesn’t offer views, I had wanted to climb it when there was still plenty of snow in spring. However, due to work and other commitments, I kept missing the timing. Then, one weekend when my work had settled down, I checked the weather and saw that Saturday looked like it would be a clear break in the rainy season with no worries about rain. So, I spontaneously started preparing on Friday night and set off in the early hours of Saturday!
I’d Heard It Was a Monotonous Climb, But…
It was a little before 6:00 AM, so I honestly thought it might be tough to find a spot, but there was still space at the Hirogawara parking lot. I parked and walked along the forest road to the trailhead. The trailhead starts by descending from the forest road towards Honya River, and after crossing the river, the serious climb begins. This river looked like it could become uncrossable if the weather was bad, so I was glad I chose a day with clear weather before and after.
After crossing the river, it was just a relentless steep climb. It was hot and humid, and when I finally saw the sign for the 2nd station after almost 30 minutes of climbing, I honestly felt like giving up. But this ascent continued for almost another hour…
When the View Opened Up, My Spirits Lifted
The initial climb was a bit tiresome, just walking through a dense forest where you couldn’t see the sky or any views. But after a little over an hour of climbing, the sky started to appear, and stepping out into the bright sunlight really lifted my spirits.
Finally, the view opened up beyond the bamboo grass, revealing mountains of deep green.
I really feel that mountain climbing is all about seeing views like these. It was a beautifully clear day, with a stunning contrast between the blue sky and the green, and it wasn’t as hot as peak summer, making for perfect conditions.
Even though the trail is well-maintained, the bamboo grass was growing quite vigorously. It wasn’t full-on bushwhacking, but it snagged me in places, which was a bit annoying.
With plenty of sunshine, it was a day where the fresh green foliage truly shone beautifully.
Although the distance wasn’t particularly long, the continuous monotonous climb and few open viewpoints made me feel that my intention to enjoy the fresh greenery really paid off for this hike (just a little, lol).
Reached the Summit, But What Kind of Mountain Did I Climb? The Impression Is…
As expected from the information I had, there were no views from the summit. An observation deck had been built, but going up there didn’t change much. I was hungry, so I started eating rice balls and bread, but the sheer number of buzzing insects, common for this time of year, was brutal. Then, as I was climbing, it suddenly struck me that I hadn’t been able to see the full shape of Mount Ena at all during the ascent. So, I don’t really have a clear impression of what kind of mountain I climbed… Well, I guess that happens sometimes.
It was such a relief to find a river with cold, flowing water at the bottom of the descent! Washing my face and cooling my flushed body felt amazing.
Post-Hike Treat: The Hot Springs of Tsukigawa Onsen Village
After descending, I headed to Tsukigawa Onsen at Noguma-no-Sho. I had seen that there was a Tsukigawa Onsen Village near the Hirogawara trailhead, so I just went there directly. It was only later that I realized this was the very village famous on social media for its “peach blossom paradise,” a place I had actually marked down to visit myself! The water is alkaline, making your skin feel super smooth after a soak, and I was thrilled that there was an open-air bath where I could enjoy the beautiful greenery.
What was interesting was the hot spring analysis report. It didn’t state “Alkaline Simple Hot Spring,” and the total mineral content was low at 0.254g/kg. The water quality description said, “Qualifies as a hot spring under Article 2 of the Hot Spring Act due to fluoride ions and radon,” which is a pattern I hadn’t seen much before. It was a gentle hot spring, perfect for washing off the post-hike sweat and feeling refreshed. I’ve now found a place I’d love to visit again when the peach blossoms are in full bloom.
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