Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵

Today, we embarked on a journey from Oyada Shrine in Mino, a mere 30 minutes by car from our doorstep.

Accompanied by my adventurous mother-in-law, we set our sights on conquering Tennozan (Mount Tenno), a peak she had scaled nearly a dozen times, albeit with her last ascent over a decade ago.

Our hike began confidently, trailing from Oyada Shrine. However, as we ventured deeper into the dense, rocky forest, we inadvertently veered off the intended path. Despite our best efforts to retrace our steps, we found ourselves adrift for over an hour, grappling to locate the trail leading to Tennozan’s summit. Retreating wasn’t an option, especially with Google Maps indicating a mere 350 meters from our destination.

Each step uphill was a challenge, punctuated by frequent pauses to catch our breath.

At one point, my mother-in-law forged ahead, disappearing from sight. Despite our calls, her responses were faint amidst the thick foliage. It wasn’t until we caught glimpses of her ahead, guided by distant voices of fellow hikers, that we regained our bearings. The forest gradually thinned as we ascended, a promising sign of nearing our goal.

Our morale surged when my mother-in-law unearthed man-made stairs, a reassuring marker of the official trail. Relieved, we followed her lead, soon greeted by the breathtaking panorama from Tennozan’s peak. Our journey, though arduous, culminated in a triumph, just shy of a two-hour trek.

Resting atop Tennozan, we sought guidance from fellow hikers for the return path to Oyada Shrine. With directions in hand, my mother-in-law wasted no time in descending, her energy seemingly boundless.

I couldn’t help but admire her resilience. Despite being in her 70s, she navigated the terrain with the vigor of a youngster.

The descent proved smoother, though not without its share of slips. The rugged, untamed trail lent an air of adventure, reminding us of the unpredictability of nature. I sustained a minor scrape on my knee during the ascent, and a comical tumble on the descent elicited laughter, fortunately without injury.

Returning to Oyada Shrine, we offered gratitude to the deities for our safe return.

#AdventureAwaits #NatureTrail #MountainClimbing #FamilyHike #UnforgettableJourney