The WalkVentures of an Overseas Filipino Wanderer : 👣 StEpisode 3

Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan — this is where I’m taking you for my WalkVentures Stepisode 3.

This will be my first time celebrating my birthday by going on a mountain hike. Normally, I’d celebrate at a restaurant with friends, a beach resort with family, go shopping for luxury items I’ve been eyeing for too long (back in my Singapore days LOL) or enjoy a hotel staycation. But this time, I’m excited for a more unconventional and never-before-tried way of celebrating.There were six of us on this trip, and the trail was generally beginner-friendly.

Now, on to the hike! After arriving in Nikko from Tokyo, we took a bus to Tobu-Nikko. It was quite a long and winding ride. We stopped at the trail’s starting point and decided to have brunch first for that much needed energy boost.

This is the view while eating mas gumana akong kumain char! 😂

After that hearty brunch, we officially began our hike. We hiked a trail nestled within Nikko National Park, passing by Senjogahara Marshland.

Here are the pictures I took during the hike. I really enjoyed this experience because I got to see so many different types of nature like forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and even marshlands! I was especially excited about the marshland since it's not something we usually see in the Philippines. One thing I absolutely loved was the clean, cold, crisp, fresh air. It was the perfect kind of cold, what we like to call “aircon weather”.

Forest, Lakes and Rivers

Waterfalls

Marshland

One thing that amused me and I found really interesting was the culture of Japanese hikers. When you pass by someone going the opposite direction, they greet you with a cheerful konnichiwa! I had such a good time responding konnichiwa to every hiker I came across 😅

We spotted this monkey casually going about his day, totally unbothered by the crowd of hikers snapping photos of him like he was a celebrity.

There's still some snow in this part of the national park.

Can you spot the deer in these pictures?

After all the walking, this was the stunning view waiting for us at the final stop 😍

We wrapped up around 3:30PM and started looking for a hotel resort that offers day-trip onsen. A good soak in the onsen is absolutely essential after such a tiring hike.😌

A birthday well spent and legs definitely well used! Exhausted, but my heart is full ❤️
That’s all for this stepisode. Catch you on my next WalkVentures! 👣

_{* All content is mine unless otherwise noted. All photos taken with my iPhone 14 Pro Max.}