This time going to west again...
I arrive Saijo, One of best three Japanese sake towns, Higashi Hiroshima.
ちなみに後の2都市は神戸市・灘、京都市・伏見です。
今回は西条酒の水源と言われている竜王山、そして鷹巣山・田房山をトレイルランです。
I choose at Mt. Ryu-oh and others, which they say it is a source of water for Saijo Sake, for a trail running this time.
一応パン・ランカードを貼っているので情報だけでも。
後からSさんにうかがったのですが、山を3つくらい越えたところにこんなパン屋さんがあったんですねぇ。
I heard from S later about a bakery beyond three mountains or so.
西条の水は中くらいの軟水ですが、これは水が地中を通ってくる際にミネラルを含むおかげだそうです。
Saijo water is soft water at medium level, because when water runs through the ground, the mineral is added naturally.
いいお天気の夏日でした。
It was a warm... no, hot day.
ゼンマイの新芽が伸びてきていますね。
ゼンマイ：葉になる巻の数1つ、属している科ゼンマイ科
ワラビ：葉になる巻の数3つ、属している科コバノイシカグマ科、
だそうですよ。
btw, although both are ferns, but what's a difference between zenmai fern and warabi fern?
Zenmai fern: a numbers spirals of leaf to be is one, Osmundaceae
Warabi fern: a numbers spirals of leaf to be is three, Dennstaedtiaceae
うわっと！
毒蛇ではない（←地元の方より）ですが、驚きました。結構あちこちでご対面です。名前分かる方、ご一報をお待ちしております。
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追記：
一報が2件も来ました！毒蛇でした！
Tさんより ＞ヤマカガシじゃない？
Fさんより ＞僕も写真一目見てヤマカガシだと思いました。 奥歯に相当ヤバい毒
横を通りながら「びっくりさせてごめんね」と言ったのがよかったのかどうなのか… 今後気をつけます。
Wow!
This snake doesn't have poison (heard from local people), but I was surprised when I encounter him at the first time. After this, I keep meeting his families here and there. If you know a name, please let me know.
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PS:
Got notes from two friends! It is a viper!
From T> isn't it tiger keelback?
From F> I thought it's tiger keelback at a first glance of a photo. It has poison at back fangs.
Tiger keelback (the next is excerpt from Wikipedia) "Although venomous, few deaths have been recorded. This is because the fangs are located in the back of the mouth, making a successful strike on a large object difficult. In addition, it seldom strikes generally prefers to flee when disturbed, or display passive defensive behaviors, such as a flattening of the neck and/or the body, arching the neck, or simply remaining immobile."
When I was passing by him, I said "Sorry, I surprised you, didn't I?" Not sure that did work or not... I'll be careful from now on.
I admire people who know wild plants. Anyone knows its name?
何が「二六」なの！？ 標石に詳しい方！
What's this sign?
これも気になる！
This mark's kanji says "mountain."
ところどころで沢が。これはまだ日本酒ではありませんよ！
You can see streams in a couple of places. This is not sake yet!
地元のIさん、これが噂のシシが掘った穴ですか？
Is that the one you were talking about a hole dug by a wild hog, Mr. I?
Watch out these roots. When you are tired, it's so easy to get tripped by a couple of inches.
下山の後の日本酒以外のお楽しみ。
A good place to stretch yourself after running.
A hot spring spa Hot Kamo is several minutes away from JR Saijo station by taxi (¥1,130). Adult ¥700. There is a free shuttle bus too, if you back at station in time.
これは空港でも売っていない亀齢酒造「赤ヘルカップ」。竜王山を思い出しながら、乾杯！
This Kirei's "Carp edition" cup-sake is available at JR Saijo station. Cheers for Mt. Ryu-oh.
地図は… つづく！
About a course? Stay tuned!