🏔️Tea & Trails #1 – Mt. Nantai Yearend Autumn Hike 2025 || 男体山イヤーエンドハイク（今年最後！）

### 🌸 About the Event / イベントについて

🍵✨ This is the final official hike of the year to Mt. Nantai (男体山)!
From November 11, the sacred mountain will close for the winter season — this is our last chance in 2025 to reach its summit, surrounded by Japan’s most breathtaking autumn colors.
Join us for the first official adventure of Tea, Trails & Talks — a mindful journey through forests, shrines, and clouds.
We’ll hike together, share tea at the summit, talk about travel and life, and feel the beauty of connection — with nature and with each other.
Whether you come for the challenge, the colors, or the peace — this hike will mark the perfect farewell to Japan’s hiking season. 🍁

> “Let’s climb slowly, breathe deeply, and feel every step — from warmth to cold, from green to gold.”

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## ⚠️ RSVP Policy / 参加について

Because this is a long, full-day hike with strict timing and limited seats, please RSVP only if you are 100% sure you can join.
This helps us manage car space, safety, and coordination fairly for everyone.
If you’re unsure, please wait for the next event — there will be many more! 😊

> ⏰ RSVP only if you can definitely attend and are ready for an early 5:30 AM departure.
> Each RSVP spot matters — let’s keep it meaningful and considerate for others.

参加について
長時間の登山で出発も早いため、確実に参加できる方のみRSVPをお願いします。
定員が限られているため、他の方のためにもご協力ください。

### 🗓️ Date & Time / 日時

📅 Saturday, November 08, 2025
🕔 Departure : 5 : 30 AM sharp from JR Utsunomiya Station East Exit
(Peak Nikko autumn = heavy traffic! Please be punctual — car leaves at 5:30 sharp; 10-minute delay = missed hike.)
🕗 Start : 7 : 30 AM @ Nikko Futarasan Shrine Entrance (日光二荒山神社入口)
⏰ Return : 6 : 00 – 7 : 00 PM (total 8–9 hours)

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### 🚗 Meeting & Transportation / 集合と移動

• Pickup: JR Utsunomiya Station East Exit
• Car: 4-seater rental (3 available seats)
• Departure: 5 : 30 AM sharp — no waiting due to traffic to Nikko
• Alternative: Meet directly at Nikko Futarasan Shrine by 7 : 30 AM
• Note: Nikko roads are very crowded during the autumn season, so early departure is essential.

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### 💴 Participation Fee / 参加費

To share costs fairly and keep our events sustainable:

• 🚗 Car riders: ¥1,500 per person (covers car rental ¥5,860 + fuel + tolls + parking share)
• 🚶‍♀️ Direct joiners: ¥500 per person (symbolic support for coordination and group materials)

💡 The organizer also contributes personally as driver and planner.
💡 If the weather changes significantly within 8 hours before departure and the event is cancelled, no charges will be collected.
💡 Even if only one trailmate joins — the hike will still happen!

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### ⛰️ Hike Details / ハイキング情報

• Route: Mt. Nantai via Nikko Futarasan Shrine
• Duration: 8–9 hours (round trip)
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Pace: Slow & mindful — respecting the sacred mountain and nature’s rhythm
• Elevation: 2,486 m
• Entrance Fee: ¥1,000 (shrine access)
• Toilets: None on trail — use before starting

## 🌸 About Mt. Nantai / 男体山について

Mt. Nantai (男体山) — meaning “Man’s Body Mountain” — is one of Japan’s most sacred peaks, located within Nikko National Park.
It rises elegantly beside Lake Chuzenji and is considered the symbolic guardian of Nikko.
The mountain is part of Futarasan Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and has been a site of worship for over 1,200 years.
Climbing Mt. Nantai is not just a physical challenge — it’s a spiritual journey through history, faith, and nature.

• 🗻 Elevation: 2,486 meters
• ⛰️ Elevation Gain: approx. 1,200 meters from the shrine trailhead
• 🚶‍♂️ Trail Distance: around 12 km round-trip
• 🕊️ Trail Type: Steep, rocky, and forested — featuring shrine gates, stone steps, volcanic rock, and panoramic summit views over Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nikko-Shirane.
• 🔱 Special Feature: The trail begins from within the sacred grounds of Nikko Futarasan Shrine. Every climber passes through the torii gate and registers with the shrine priests before ascending — a rare experience in Japan where spirituality and mountaineering meet.

Climbing Mt. Nantai during autumn is a once-a-year experience — with breathtaking views of golden larch trees, crimson maples, and the peaceful lake below.
Since the mountain officially closes after November 11, this is truly the final chance in 2025 to stand at its summit. 🍂

男体山について
男体山（なんたいさん）は日光国立公園のシンボル的存在で、標高2,486mの霊山です。
約1,200年前から信仰登山の対象として知られ、登山口は二荒山神社の境内にあります。
登山道には鳥居や石段、岩場があり、山頂からは中禅寺湖や白根山を一望できます。
紅葉の季節は特に美しく、11月11日で今年の登山期間が終了します。まさに今年最後のチャンスです。

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### 🧳 What to Bring / 準備するもの

Hiking shoes / boots · Trekking stick(s) · Bear bell (熊鈴) · Hat · Sunscreen · Raincoat · Lunch & snacks · 2 L water · Gloves · Thermal clothes
📚 Reference guides:
1️⃣ Culmina Japan – Mt. Nantai
2️⃣ Visit Nikko – Advanced Trek Up Mt. Nantai
3️⃣ AllTrails – Mt. Nantai Route
4️⃣ Yamakei Online – Mt. Nantai

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### ☕ Vibe & Spirit / 雰囲気

This isn’t a race — it’s an experience. We walk slowly, share stories, and enjoy tea and lunch at the summit.
Expect changing weather and terrain — a peaceful way to end the hiking year.

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### ♨️ After the Hike / 下山後の温泉

If time allows:
1️⃣ Nikko Wanoshiro Onsen Yashio-no-yu | 2️⃣ Nandaimon Onsen (Utsunomiya)

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### 💬 Languages & Connection / 言語と交流

Everyone is welcome! 🌍
I speak English (working level), Japanese (basic), Hindi & Odia (fluent).
This is not just a hike — it’s a cultural and language exchange journey where each step is a conversation and each pause a connection.

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### 🧍‍♂️ About the Organizer / 主催者について

I’m Sam (サム) — a mountain and hiking enthusiast from Utsunomiya.
I’ve summitted Mt. Nantai solo before, and I’m deeply passionate about meeting new people and sharing the spirit of the mountains.
I’m not the fastest or the expert climber, but I’m an observant and mindful one — always curious to listen, learn, and enjoy each moment with fellow trailmates. 🏔️

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### ⚠️ Important Notes / 注意事項

• Saturday forecast — sunny at the summit! ☀️
• If weather changes (drastic rain/wind) within 8 hours before start, event will be cancelled with no charge.
• Respect shrine rules — Mt. Nantai is sacred.
• Bring your own gear and lunch.
• Even one participant = event confirmed!

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### 🧭 Schedule Summary / スケジュール

| Time | Activity |
| ---- | -------- |
| 5:30 AM | Depart from JR Utsunomiya East Exit |
| 7:30 AM | Arrive @ Nikko Futarasan Shrine |
| 11:30 AM | Summit break – tea & views |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch & photos |
| 3:30–4 PM | Descent |
| 5:30–6 PM | Optional onsen |
| 7 PM | Return to Utsunomiya |

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✳️ Come for the trails. Stay for the talks. Leave with new friends.
Our first journey — and the last climb of Mt. Nantai this year. Let’s make it unforgettable.
— Sam (サム) ☕🏔️
Organizer, Tea, Trails & Talks

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🍁2025年、男体山への今年最後の公式ハイキングイベント！
11月11日から山は冬季閉山となります。この日が本当にラストチャンスです。
日光の紅葉を眺めながら、ゆっくりと登りましょう。
山頂ではお茶を飲みながら会話を楽しみ、自然の美しさと仲間とのつながりを感じましょう。
🚗 集合場所：宇都宮駅東口（5:30出発）／日光二荒山神社（7:30集合）
⛰️ 体力レベル：中級　／　往復8～9時間　／　トイレなし
💴 参加費：車利用 1,500円／現地集合 500円
（レンタカー代・ガソリン代・高速代・駐車料金を含みます）
※天候が悪化した場合は出発8時間前までに中止を判断し、料金はいただきません。
♨️ 下山後：時間があれば温泉に立ち寄ります。
1️⃣ 日光和の代温泉「八汐の湯」　2️⃣ 宇都宮「南大門温泉」

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👣 主催者について
主催者のサムは宇都宮在住の登山・ハイキング愛好家です。
これまでに男体山を単独登頂した経験があり、自然と人との出会いを大切にしています。
速く登るタイプではありませんが、周囲をよく観察し、仲間との時間を大切にする情熱的なクライマーです。
英語・日本語・ヒンディー語・オディア語での会話が可能です。
国籍やレベルに関係なく、どなたでも安心してご参加ください。

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🕊️ 一年を締めくくるラストハイクを、心に残る特別な一日にしましょう。
皆さんのご参加を心よりお待ちしています！