TANKS Travel Tales - a travelogue.......

Japan, Gifu Prefecture, Okuhida The original article was first published in this blog in June 2020.  I am a firm believer that trekking, hiking or going about on foot are among the best ways to explore and experience a destination. Taking time out to explore a place on foot allows me to see more, feel more and enjoy more of a place than any other travel alternatives such as sight-seeing from a tour bus, car, tram, train or any other modes of transportation. Thus, whenever possible, I will always go on foot to explore a place that I am visiting. This article featured a personal bucket list travel item when I went hiking on trails around Okuhida during a stay at a wonderful local ryokan (traditional family-run Japanese inn) during a trip to Takayama.  ****************** Hiking on foot when we travel has many advantages. We get to see and experience stuff that would otherwise bypass us if we are in a vehicle or some other form of transport. Hiking trail, Okuhida, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture

Japan, Nagasaki Prefecture, Tsushima Japan is a country which is heavily forested. Close to 2/3 of the country is covered in forests. I had always wanted to travel to and hike in some of Japan's forested areas, preferably in locales where the human population is sparse. Not that I am a hermit but less populated areas usually means more flourishing flora and fauna due to lesser human activities. Over the years and during my many trips to Japan, I had hiked in the Okuhida region of Takayama's mountain range as well as in the forests of Shiga Prefecture. One of my hikes in Japan's forests was in November 2019 when I traveled to Tsushima from Busan (Korea). Located between Busan and Nagasaki, Tsushima is an island group. With a sub-tropical marine environment, Tsushima has unique flora and fauna not found elsewhere in the Japanese main islands. A secluded shore in the n orthern part of Kamino-shima, Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (2019) During my tr

Located between Japan and Korea, Tsushima is an island group of Nagasaki Prefecture. With its sub-tropical marine environment, Tsushima has its own unique flora and fauna. The relatively low human population density in this island group has generally allowed the local flora and fauna to flourish without much human intervention. Tsushima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (2019) During my recent trip to Tsushima in early November 2019, I did some hikes around the northern areas of the main north island, Kamino-shima. Armed with my DSLR camera fitted with a standard 60mm macro lens, I digitally recorded the natural beauty I encountered during these hikes. Getting ready to disperse its seeds when the next wind blows, Tsushima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (2019) Wild daisies, Tsushima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (2019) More wild daisies, Tsushima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (2019) This plants has prickly seeds that stuck to my pants as