Yesterday we took some time off to climb Mt.Hiei. This was the first mountain my girlfriend and I ever climbed together many years ago and therefore holds a lot of sentimental value to us. 

We have just come from the furthest north part of Japan (Hokkaido) where it was extremely cold and there was snow everywhere every day, but here in Kyoto it has been much warmer!

After climbing half way up the mountain we realised even though we were longer in the north, it was still extremely cold up the mountain! We were certainly not prepared for all of the snow and ice!!!

We should have realised as lots of climbers coming down the mountain were pointing to their spiked climbing shoes, ice picks and crampons and day that it would be dangerous for us, but we refused to give up!

The second half of the mountain took AGES to climb as we were just wearing ordinary shoes (not even hiking shoes!!!) and kept slipping! 

Around 3/4 up the mountain it was incredibly steep and each time we tried to continue going up we just slipped on the ice. Out of nowhere an old man with full ice climbing gear came and showed us a secret route through the trees! As it was unknown to most people, the snow was thick, and despite still being very dangerous as least we could grip the floor. 

We finally made it to the top after a few hours and had a lovely picnic up there. The old man told us to find the cable car at the top and take this back down as it was too dangerous to go down such a steep mountain without correct equipment, but after walking around the temples at the top for a while, we discovered that the cable car was not running as it was off season!!!! 

How was managed to get down is a long and boring story....but it was not easy! 

Overall we had an incredible day full of happiness, excitement and joy at being able to return to somewhere I took my girlfriend too many years ago. 

The mountain is known as a ‘power spot’ in Japan for its sacred history and ability to make one feel its ‘natural power’ and ‘healing ability’. 

It is also famous for ‘the marathon monks’ who run a marathon every day for 7 years on the mountain. This feat is completed by only a handful of very special people, and it is still competed today. I will talk about these super athletes more in a future moment, as I feel they deserve more of this incredible yet largely unknown story to be explained. 

Have an adventurous everyone! :-) 

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I am a highly experienced professional English teacher, Yoga Instructor, Tai Chi teacher, Nutrition Consultant and Personal Trainer from London, UK. I recently left London to work and travel around Japan on a Working Holiday Visa with my best friend and longtime girlfriend Ashley (who is also a teacher on Cafetalk : https://cafetalk.com/tutors/profile/?id=54542&lang=en ). We love sharing adventures travelling, teaching, exploring and understanding new cultures. We hope to speak with you soon!

Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a lesson at a time in which my schedule is not open. I will always do my best to accomodate every student.