Sunrise Climbing in the High Mountains of Qinghai Island

First sunrise from the high mountains

On Tuesday, January 1, the annual New Year's Day "sunrise climb" was held at Takayama (高山) on Qinghai Island.

This event was planned by the then Regional Development Cooperation Volunteers in 2014 and has been taken over by the "Republic of Aomi Island" since last year, and has been planned and operated by the "Republic of Aomi Island" since last year. This time, more than 100 participants gathered and left the Alpine Auto Campground at 6:00 a.m. early in the morning.

Takayama, where a trail has been maintained by local residents, was selected as one of the "100 Best Island Mountains" by the Japan Remote Islands Center in 2008, and is known as a superb spot from which to view the "Nami no Hashidate" and the "Maritime Alps" from the top of the mountain. The trail used to have some steep slopes, but a new path has been developed since last year, making it possible for children to walk up the mountain.

The moon and stars were still visible in the sky at 6:50 am. Participants walked with flashlights in hand and reached the summit at 319 meters above sea level.

Sunrise is in 30 minutes.

Taking advantage of this time, a pamphlet "Museum of Magma, Qinghai Island," which introduced the formation of Qinghai Island and the characteristics of its rocks, was distributed to the participants, and local residents explained the surrounding tourist attractions.

From the top of the mountain, you can see the 1,300-meter-high "Nami no Hashidate " that separates the lake from the sea, which was one of the "Eight Views of Senzaki" by the children's song poet, Misuzu Kaneko. As it became brighter, the towns of Senzaki and Fukagawa could be seen from the top of the mountain.

Then, just after 7:20 a.m., the sun began to rise in the eastern sky.

All at once, people pick up their smartphones and cameras to take pictures of the first sunrise of the year.

It is a moment when you can't help but say, "Beautiful.

A few minutes later, the sun was hidden again in thick clouds.

Even after only 10 minutes of shutterbugging, participants looked satisfied.

At the end, everyone took a commemorative photo.

This year, handmade boards were also provided to add to the photos.

After descending the mountain, ozoni were sold at the campground administration building.

It is a bowl of rice cake with a mallet made by local people, fish paste, chikuwa, turnips, and many other ingredients.

The simple and flavorful ozoni warmed my heart and body.

This year's sunrise climb was with a record number of participants.

The view from the top of the high mountain and the warm hospitality of the local community made for a memorable morning to start the year.

Related Links

Qinghai Island Takayama Auto Camp Ground