In search of Kisenyama Dam & Reservoir.

   I have spent many hours mountain-biking and hiking in the hills at the back of Uji City, and never really payed much attention to what was really there. I was aware of the small settlements nestled within the many valleys, like Ikenoo and Kasatori. 

   But it wasn't until I was standing on the summit of (Mt)Jubusan, about 10km away, as the crow flies, that I caught a glimpse of what looked like a lake or reservoir in the distance.

   So I did some research, and discovered that the body of water I had been looking at, was the Kisenyama Reservoir. Always on the look-out for new sites to explore, I decided that this would be my next project; to gain access to, and check-out the area.

Kisenyama Dam.

                                                                                                                                                                          Before I commence my trip, let me shed some light on the Kisenyama Reservoir, Dam and Power Station. The reservoir & dam were constructed to supply water for the hydro-electric power station, situated on the other side of the dam. 

                                                                   The generator operates as a 'Pumped Storage' system, that relies on the gravitational energy of the water to turn the turbines. Once the water has performed it's task . . . . 

. . . . it is then discharged into the Setagawa River where, a few kilometers downstream, it reaches the Amagase Dam, where it is used again to generate more electricity. Because of the limited capacity of the reservoir, the plant only generates electricity when the demand arises.

Canal Weir.

Open Canal.

  

   Now, this is where the story gets very interesting. The only natural water-supply into the reservoir, is via a small stream at the head, not enough to keep the water-level high. So, what the powers-that-be did, was to construct a canal, diverting water from the Setagawa River, at Nango, a suburb of Otsu City (map location) and, about 10km later, emerges at Lake Hoo, in Uji City, 

Ujigawa River.

Lake Hoo.

 

where it is discharged into the Ujigawa River (map location). Using Lake Hoo as the lower reservoir, water is then pumped up to the upper reservoir using two pump generators. Here endeth the lesson. 

   My research led me to the conclusion that there were two direct access routes to the reservoir, and a possible third, albeit indirect.

   After a hearty breakfast, I set-off, making a beeline for the Yoimachi Bridge, arriving an hour later. The bridge lies at the confluence of the Tahara and Uji Rivers.

   While I was waiting for my GPS device to connect, I espied a set of concrete steps leading up to an overhanging rock. As I was in 'touring mode' I decided to check-out what lay above. I was surprised when I discovered this small religious icon nestled beneath a large rock. Of all places to site a place of worship, and dangerous as well. With vibrations from passing traffic, I was amazed that the rocks hadn't collapsed. Which was my cue to move-on.

   Route-3 connects Otsu City, at the base of Lake Biwa, with Uji City, and runs parallel to the Uji/Seta River. It is flat and smooth, which it is why many road cyclists use this road to train on.

   So, for the following four kilometers, I took advantage of the conditions, and powered my way to my first access-way to the dam (map location).

  
   



    Last week, when I passed this bridge, the gate was locked, so it came as no surprise to see it in the same state. The area surrounding the entrance to the bridge is so securely fenced-off, with security cameras etc, one couldn't help but compare it to a high-security prison. My hopes were raised when a maintenance truck pulled-up and, if they were about to enter, I might be able to follow. But, alas, they just parked there. So I moved on.

   I left route-3 about 3km along the road, where I commenced my first hill-climb of the day. Route-242 is a narrow & windy mountain lane that took me through the settlement of Nio and onto my next junction. 

   This lane was more narrower than the previous and, when I emerged from the forest, I was greeted by this sight. 

   As I was doing good time - it was only 9:30am - and the view was a sight-to-behold, I took a break and had a banana. I could distinguish some familiar sights in the distance - the settlement of Oishisotsuka in the foreground, and Otsu City in the distance. But it was the serenity that captivated me.

  



   Leaving my comfortable perch and re-mounting my bike, the lane re-entered the forest and I began my descent to the settlement of Ikenoo and, with fingers crossed, my second attempt at gaining entry to the reservoir & dam. Settlements like Ikenoo have a certain appeal to me.

                                                                 As I emerged from the forest, and entered Ikenoo, my attention was drawn to these two concrete lanterns, and concrete steps leading to a wooden Torii, heralding the entrance to Daishogun-jinja Shrine. 

   Shrines like Daishogun-jinja don't come more isolated than this, which is another attraction settlements like Ikenoo have to me - you never know what is hidden amongst the hills & forests in places like this.

   Once I passed through Ikenoo, I once again entered the forest and, about a kilometer later,

I arrived at my next access point. And another locked gate. Unlike my first entrance, this wasn't as fenced-off, and I pondered the idea of squeezing-around the gate and continuing on. Although I couldn't read what the sign said, one didn't need to be an Einstein to know what it said. 

   As I was pondering my options, I could hear a faint humming, the sort of humming you hear when in the vicinity of an Electrical Grid Site. Peeking through the trees I espied such a site and, putting two-and-two together, what I was looking at, was the generation plant of the Kisenyamayosui Power Station.

                                                                                                         Debating whether I should park my bike, and clamber my way up the hill, I discovered these steps. Generally placed to allow access to power-pylons by maintenance crew, I decided to take-the-plunge and head on up. But alas, there was a power-pylon, and that's where the steps ended. With my tail between my legs, I descended back to my bike and made my way back through Ikenoo, and up the hill to where I stopped earlier. 

   Just behind where I had been sitting earlier, was another junction that descended and emerged at this bridge. I had arrived at the head of the Kisenyama Reservoir.

The last time I passed-through here, I arrived just as this gentleman had landed a large trout. He was very proud of his catch, and was more-than-willing to pose for the camera. I was aware of a track, at the far end of the bridge, that lead to the only stream to enter the reservoir. All going well I would take the detour and check-it-out. But alas, it too was all fenced-off. This was not my day.

   A few hundred meters on from the bridge I managed to catch a glimpse, and take this photo, of the dam and power plant, albeit through a wire mesh fence. This was as close I was going to get to my goal.

   Feeling dejected I moved-on. At this point my lane would turn-away from the reservoir and descend towards Uji City, and my next access point. As I was about to move off, I noticed this flight-of-steps and guide-rope which made it's way up the hill and into the forest. This looked promising, so I parked my bike and decided to check it out.
   The track was well marked and well beaten, giving me the impression that this was part of a popular hiking course.

   About ten minutes in, I arrived at this site overlooking the reservoir and, through the trees, my closest view of the dam. My impression was that this was an ideal location for a picnic.

    Moving deeper into the forest, I soon arrived at the summit of Mt Kisenyama, 415m (map location). As I could still catch glimpses of the reservoir, I continued on but, a little further on, the track veered-away in the opposite direction, so I decided to u-turn and return to my bike (upon arrival home, I checked the topography map and discovered there were no tracks marked on the map. With my interest in this area stirred, I have placed this on my 'must return' list). 

   Arriving back at my bike, I was no-sooner back on the road, and my next attempt. Passing-through the settlement of Shizukawa, my next junction, and hill-climb, was just a kilometer away - this was familiar terrain as, just over a month ago, my Wife & I came here for a walk through the Amagase Forest Park.

   After a steep ascent, I turned a bend and there it was - whala, an open gate. Maybe this was going to be my day after all. As the saying goes - 'third time lucky'.
   Although the lane ascended, it wasn't too steep and I was able to cruise my way deeper into the valley and forest. A couple of trucks passed me as I made my way, no-one stopping to tell me I wasn't suppose to be here. 

Part-way up the valley I stopped at a bridge to take-in my surroundings. Looking into the forest, partly camouflaged by trees, I noticed a small shed-like construction. Upon closer inspection was this small religious icon. I have discovered these in many places during my travels, some of them in the most isolated of places, but this one takes-the-cake. Judging by the state the construction was in, this is a very-new addition to the forest.

   After 24km of cycling on a sealed surface, for the first time today my track would now become rocky and rutted, as I arrived at this collection of buildings (map location). Judging by the many heavy vehicles parked nearby, I got the impression there was a construction site in the vicinity. My GPS device showed I was closing-in on my goal, that was until the track turned in the opposite direction.

    
   After a while the track became too hazardous to continue, as there were many obstacles in the form of large rocks, tree limbs and slips and, if that wasn't bad-enough, quite steep. I persevered for as long as I could, then decided to call it a day. I had given it my best shot, and was more than satisfied with my effort.

   Maybe one day the Electricity Company will have an 'open-day', where I can check-out the facilities. And then I can say - 'I did it'.

Until next time,

Sayonara.

   Course details & images - https://ridewithgps.com/trips/21491298

Ushiozanhougon Temple and Beyond - Oiwake Station to Rokujizo Station.

Chitodake & Nishi-Chitodake
from the summit of Otawayama. 

   Unlike my previous two visits into this area, my course, from Oiwake Station to the start of the track, was well signposted. And, as I made my way up the valley, I could soon see why - more about that later.
   My research gave me the impression that this was going to be a very-long day, so I decided an early start was in order, so as to reach my final destination of the Keihan Rokujizo Station before sunset.


    I decided on this occasion to bypass Ushiozanhougon Temple, and make my way directly to the summit of Mt Otawayama. From there onto Mt Ushiosan, followed by Mt Chitodake and Mt Nishi-Chitodake and, if time permitted, topping the day off with Mt Daigoyama (you can see why I opted for an early start).

   Nestled in the hills, surrounded by trees, and overlooking a small settlement, is the Shiraishi-jinja Shrine. The shrine is dedicated to the husband & wife deities of Izangi and Izanami. The shrine itself is believed to date from circa 806-to-810AD.

Map Location.

    Within the main shrine complex stands a very-large boulder and is considered as the home of the deity come down to Earth, and is the shrine's sacred object. Upon the top of the boulder are three holes which were bored so as to split the stone. This is believed to have been caused when Tokugawa Ieyasu attempted to have the stone cut up in order to rebuild Fushimi Castle. 

   My next stop, just down from Shiraishi, was this interesting water-wheel. I say interesting, as the water is pumped up so as to turn the wheel that, in turn, causes the piston to hammer onto a stone bowl. Normally the water comes directly from a stream. As impressive as this is I would hate to be living in the immediate vicinity, as the sound of the piston hammering all day long would drive me to madness. 

   My hike proper was about to commence when I arrived at this sign with a map detailing the trails throughout the area. For the next 2km, every bend I came to would reveal another sight that would reveal either a religious icon, a waterfall, or something of sheer beauty. If I was to write about the next 2km, it would require a separate blog. So instead I shall post a few images with explanations.

   The impression a got was that this was a well-beaten path. A pilgrimage of sorts. On each occasion I have been to Ushiozanhougon Temple, five in all, there have always been devotees there performing a religious ritual and, on three occasions, the same couple. In several locations along this path, there are shelters or seating, like in the above image. 

   The path is also famous for the many waterfalls, five in all, that are dotted-along the stream that I crisscross on my journey. One such waterfall has these two plaques set-into the rock.

   One encounter that impressed me, was this statue of a Shinran Priest, standing there, with his back to the rock, looking down the road at those ascending the path.

   I noticed a track that looked like it was circling the rock, so I decided to take a peek to see what, if anything, it revealed. But the track seemed to descend down to the stream and from there. Well, I didn't find-out, and proceeded on up the valley.

    My next stop was this small, and unusual, place of worship, referred to as 'Shizukudani Fudoson'. Embedded amongst the rocks is this small statue of Fudo, who is the God of Waterfalls.

  

                                               

    A few hundred maters along from the Shizukudani Fudosan, the path and I would part company and, after crossing this stream, I would commence my ascent to Mt Otawayama.

   After four-kilometers of a relatively gradual ascent, I was about to commence my first serious climb of the day. The first section of my ascent was aided by these plastic steps, placed here to allow maintenance crews access to the many power-pylons dotted throughout the area. At my next junction, I was greeted by my first direction sign, kindly placed here by the guys from the 'Yamashina Hiking Club'.    

   Forty minutes after commencing my ascent, I arrived at the summit of Mt Otawayama. On a beautiful, clear, fine day, the view below . . . .

. . . . is nothing short of spectacular. But, on a partly-cloudy day, with a strong cold wind blowing, it is decidedly miserable. So, I shall leave you with this impression, taken on a day when the conditions were perfect.

   On the opposite side of the summit, I got a view of my destination from this point. The hill in the foreground, between the two power-pylons, is Mt Ushiosan. In the distance, in the left of the image, is Mt Chitodake and, to the right, is Mt Nishi-Chitodake.

   Midway between Otawayama and Ushiosan, I came-across this bench that offered views overlooking Otsu City. As it was sheltered from the cold wind, it was an ideal location for a bite-to-eat, but I opted to try my luck at Ushiosan. On this occasion my luck wasn't with me, so I continued walking. 

   An hour later I found the perfect spot. There wasn't a breath-of-wind, the sun had emerged in full force, and I had a comfortable bench to sit on. Today's lunch was sandwiches, hot coffee and, for desert, bananas. Looking at my watch, and checking my location, I realized I was doing good time, so I decided on an extended break.

  While I was sitting here I could hear noises of people working and machinery operating. "Way out here and in the middle of nowhere?" I thought. So I made my way into the forest to see if I could find the source of this disturbance and discovered a work gang halfway up a power-pylon doing god-knows-what. A little further on, I would discover another gang performing the same task atop a pylon located on the summit of Mt Nishi-Chitodake. Any thoughts of a career in pylon maintenance were very quickly put-aside as I opted to stick with what I was doing with my life at present.

   Fifteen-Hundred meters along from my lunch spot, was the summit of Mt Chitodake (600m). As can be seen in the images, it was nothing spectacular. There was no view to be had. At this point I had also arrived at another junction. From here a path would take you the long way to Ishiyama-dera Temple. But, for me, I was going in the other direction.    

  

   A few hundred meters along from Chitodake, was her cousin and neighbour, Nishi-Chitodake. Of all the summits I have conquered, this one takes-the-cake. Perched atop the summit was another power-pylon, with another maintenance crew hard at work. 

   My route from here would descend down a rutted track gouged-out by years of rain and emerge onto a sealed lane where several maintenance vehicles were parked. My question, "How the hell did they get here, and with all their gear?" was now answered.

   Emerging from the bush, I was greeted with this sight of hectares and hectares of solar panels. Not so long ago this was an 18-hole golf course and, like many such courses throughout Japan,was located in a very isolated place. To give you an accurate idea of how isolated and huge this site is . . . .

  

. . . . I have taken a 'screen-shot' of 'Google Maps'. At the top right are the two Chitodakes.

  As I weaved my way through the golf-course (for want of a better description) I arrived at a sealed lane, that once provided access to the area, and realized I had been here before. It was about 10-years ago that I cycled up here in search of a hiking track. Unable to find the track, I turned-around and headed for home. Partway along I discovered a gap in the trees that allowed me a view of Fushima Ward, of Kyoto City. From here I was able to see my intended course, all the way to Rokujizo Station. I love views like this where I try to spot landmarks.

   Then, before I knew it, I had arrived at this junction. The path directly in front of me lead to Mt Daigoyama and Kami-Daigo, or Upper Daigo-ji Temple, the track to the right would emerge at Shimo-Daigo, or Lower Daigo-ji temple. It was decision time. I opted for the track on the right as I plan to return to Mt Daigoyama at a later time; I had recently discovered a network of hiking tracks on the other side that may, I hope, connect with Daigoyama.

   My descent from the top was uneventful, unlike the time, 10-years ago, when I tried my luck at cycling down. I'm not an adrenaline-junkie, at the best of times but, even if I was, this track scared the shit out of me. So I knew what was in store for me. In parts it was sweet, like in the image on the left, in others it required 100% concentration.

   I emerged, unscathed, at the entrance to the Upper-Daigo-ji path. With my days hike almost over, I proceeded from here through the streets that led to the Yamashinagawa River. From there I followed the river through to the Rokujizo Station, arriving there at 2:30pm, not 5pm as I anticipated. As I still had enough hot-water in my flask for one more coffee, and a pack of sultana buns in my pack, I found a nice spot in the sun, and rewarded myself by relaxing and reminiscing of the days hike. I was buzzing. Looking back it was a great days hiking and I was more-than-satisfied.

     

   So, as I usually say, it's been great sharing my experience with you, and thank-you for taking the time to read my post and, until next time - 

Sayonara.

    Course details - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26961299

   A few weeks ago I discovered this area, known as Hino-no Satoyama. It stretches from the southern border of Fushimi Ward, through to the area around Mt Daigoyama. 

   As mentioned earlier in this post, I hope to hike this area and, all going well, connect up with Daigoyama and the Upper Daigo-ji Temple.

   My plan, at this stage, is to do a 'No Plan, Getting-Lost' hike and just see what I uncover. When I do, I will be sure to share my experience with all.