Amore! Walking in the Paradise of Flowers and Insects, Amo Wetland - Travel Guide: Northern Hida Hiking Edition -

Thank you for joining the Nagu-Nagu Tourist (Nagu-Tour) tour today. Today, we will guide you on a journey to the forests of Northern Hida and the Amo Wetland (^^♪

This is the start of a new series! We will be touring the northern part of the Hida region over two parts.

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Cruel Road

"Did you come from this way?"

As I parked my car at the Amo Wetland parking lot and changed into my trekking shoes,
a middle-aged man of my generation sitting on a bench nearby called out to me.

Judging by his attire, he seemed to be the owner of the motorcycle parked next to our car.

"Yes, we drove here from the Hida City side."

"That was a cruel road, wasn't it?"

"It certainly was."

Along the way, there was a moment when my beloved car groaned and I had to shift down to first gear. It was a steep road.

"So, you can walk around here?"
"How long is the walk?"

"About three and a half hours," we replied.

With a look of "Oh boy," the motorcyclist stood up.

It seems the motorcyclist is heading through Shirakawa-go and on to the Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road (formerly the Hakusan Super Forest Road).

"Well then, take care!"

◇◇

There was a place I had always wanted to visit and walk through. That place is here: the Amo Wetland.

You haven't heard of it?

As always, is Nagu-Touring visiting niche places again?
No, no, this area (Amo Pass) is depicted as the setting for Izumi Kyoka's "The Holy Man of Mount Koya" (the place where the traveling monk was seduced by a bewitching woman). (*)
Also, before the expressway (Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway) opened, this was the main road from Takayama to Shirakawa-go in the summer. It's a brutal road, but it is a national highway (lol). It's truly deep in the mountains; it feels like a beautiful demon could appear, haha.

Alpine Plants VS The Rainy Season Front

Alpine plants blooming in profusion from June to July.

The first half is famous for Asian skunk cabbage. The second half is famous for daylilies. This time, I was able to visit at the very end of July, just in time. Encountering alpine plants is a battle against the rain. Don't miss the fleeting chance!
Alpine plants in the rain are nice too, but the gear is a hassle...
(I'm a bit of a wimp.)

It's a little hard to see, but here is the overall map.

Let me explain today's route!

The parking lot where we are is on the far right, and it's a straight path to Amo Wetland.
From there, it splits into three.
This time, I chose the classic route: climbing up the middle Kara-dani Trail (Katsura Gate) and descending counter-clockwise along the lower Koidaira Nature Trail (Koidaira Wetland).

Today is a clear day.

The dappled sunlight is pleasant.

After passing through the forest...

Even so,
blue sky, white clouds,
it's summer, isn't it~

While walking on the wooden path laid out across the wetland

Take a deep breath.

Alpine plants VS ...

Actually, this Amo Wetland
is surrounded by a fence.

It is suffering from damage caused by wild animals.

Indeed, in the mud on the mountain trail, there were footprints (peace marks) that looked like they belonged to an artiodactyl.

Could it be a serow...?

Recently, due to the aging of hunters and the rise of animal protection movements, wild animals have increased too much, putting alpine plants in a pinch. A wetland surrounded by a fence.

What is nature, I wonder...

Fully enjoying

Short summer
A bee? A horsefly? Buried in the flowers, collecting nectar.

A butterfly is also collecting nectar

I want to taste it
I'll hold back from collecting nectar

After passing through the wetland, there is a fork in the road,
I choose the middle path and enter the mountain trail again.

Next, we descend a little.
At the end of the descent, in the valley along the stream...

Surrounded by great trees where you can feel their breath

I look up and lose track of time

On the way, there was a stream water spot, but it wasn't as
COLD!! as I had expected.

It might be the first time I've encountered water in the mountains that wasn't cold...

Fully prepared

Alright, that's it for the outbound journey; from here on, it's just a descent back via the Koidaira Exploration Path (Koidaira Wetland)! My recentBesshi Copper Mine hikewas a battle against muscle pain (due to lack of exercise), but after reflecting on that and doing a bit of running, today I am fully prepared and in great shape.

This area is a breeding ground for dragonflies,
perhaps they are autumn darters?

The dragonflies are waiting for the foothills to cool down,
fully prepared.

The squishy parts of the wetland

I have arrived at Koidaira Wetland.

There is a spot with a faint reddish tint.
I wonder what it is...

I crouch down on the wooden path
and when I bring my lens close to the wetland...

Whoa, is that a natural enemy of the insects?

Alrighty,
I've made it back to the parking lot safely.

I started climbing around 9:30 AM, and it's now 1:00 PM.
Well then, I think I'll have my lunch on the bench where the man on the motorcycle was sitting this morning.

The frozen bottle of barley tea I bought at the convenience store has just finished melting
and is ready to drink.

Oh man, that's good!
This time, it tastes even better than spring water.

While drinking my barley tea,
I hum 'Sync Of Summer'.

Summer 2023

(To be continued...)

If you're looking for wetland travels, please also check out Yashimagahara Wetland.