── A Complete Guide to a 20km Hidden Hike ──
🕒 Reading time: about 10minutes
👣 Recommended for:
・Those who want to walk and laugh with friends
・Those who seek peace in nature
・Those who prefer “laid-back hikes” over serious climbing
🏞️ Conclusion: Yushin Valley in November is Perfect for Friends!
To start with the bottom line —
Yushin Valley in November is one of the best hikes to enjoy with friends.
Though a 20km round trip sounds tough, it’s actually a gentle forest road — more of a long stroll than a mountain climb.
Along the way, you’ll find the mystical turquoise water known as “Yushin Blue.”
It’s so beautiful that you’ll stop in your tracks.
And after the hike? A warm meal and cold drinks at the lodge.
That combination refreshes both body and soul — truly, an “adult field trip.”
⚠️ Important: The Gensou (Kurokura) Forest Road often closes due to falling rocks or landslides, including for pedestrians.
Always check the latest info from Kanagawa Prefecture or the Yamakita Tourism Office before departure.
Closures can happen suddenly!
山北町観光協会（公式サイト） / Yamakita Town Tourism Association (Official Site)
🧢 A 53-Year-Old and His Annual Autumn Hike
I’m 53.
Every autumn, I go hiking with my old friends from our “Hikers Club.”
This year, on November 8–9, 2025, we chose Yushin Valley.
Our club started as a PTA “Dads’ Group” when my eldest son was in high school.
Now, more than ten years later, it’s still going strong.
Some of the guys are serious climbers, but I’m definitely on the “easy hiking with good food” side.
Honestly, my favorite part is the beer and dinner afterward.
(We always end up sleeping past our train stop on the way home 🤣)
🥂 This Year Felt Different
Before the trip, one of our members had passed away.
We raised a glass in silence before starting the hike.
That moment hit hard — life is unpredictable.
That’s why, as we walked, I thought,
“Just being able to walk together like this — what a gift.”
Step by step, I felt gratitude deeper than usual.
🚶♂️ Yushin Valley Hike — Quick Facts
Start/End: Tanzawa Lake Lodge (Free parking near Kurokura Parking Lot)
Distance: 20 km round trip
Time Required: Around 7 hours
Difficulty: More of a long forest walk than a climb
Parking: Free (arrive early on weekends)
If full, check nearby paid lots around Tanzawa Lake.
Toilets: Available at Kurokura Parking Lot.
The one near the former Yushin Lodge is often closed — plan ahead.
Most of the route follows a quiet road through forests and tunnels, ending at the abandoned Yushin Lodge ruins.
As expected for a “hidden valley,” there’s no phone signal — but that’s exactly the charm.
A complete escape from modern noise.
💙 “Yushin Blue” — Beauty Beyond Words
The water of Gensou River shifts from emerald green to turquoise blue as it reflects sunlight.
Photos can’t capture it.
The stones at the riverbed shimmer through the crystal water, changing color with the light.
It’s truly a natural work of art.
🌞 Best Conditions to See Yushin Blue
- Time: Around noon (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
- Season: Mid to late November (autumn foliage)
- Weather: Clear skies and no wind. Avoid after rain — the water clouds easily.
We got lucky — perfect weather, vivid leaves, and glowing blue water.
Everyone went silent, just standing there in awe.
🔬 Why Is It So Blue?
Even science hasn’t fully explained it. Theories include:
- Micro-minerals (like magnesium) scattering light
- The Tyndall effect, where red wavelengths are absorbed and blue remains
- White rock beneath the water enhancing reflection
In short, it’s a chemical miracle of nature — something no human could replicate.
🎒 What to Bring
Essentials
・Headlamp (tunnels are pitch dark)
・1.5L+ of water and snacks
・Trekking shoes
・Bear bell or spray
・Warm layers
Nice to Have
・Trekking poles
・Rainwear
・Portable battery
・Trash bag
⚠️ Tips & Warnings
- Tunnels are long — carry backup lights.
- Watch for falling rocks near tunnel entrances.
- No signal — plan to finish before 4 p.m.
- Avoid right after rain — you’ll miss the blue magic.
🏚️ The Silent Story of the Abandoned Yushin Lodge
The lodge at the end is now a ruin.
Yet in that silence, there’s warmth.
You can almost hear the laughter from long ago.
Time and nature swallowed everything — and somehow, that too feels beautiful.
🍲 After the Hike — Outdoor Hot Pot and Night Feast
After 20km, we set up our outdoor hot pot at the lodge site.
The air was cold, the charcoal crackled, steam rising in the crisp evening.
“Man, that smells amazing!”
“This hot pot in the cold—nothing beats it!”
Laughter mixed with the steam.
We took a sip of hot soup, then a swig of beer.
🔥 Hot pot under cold skies. Cold beer in warm hands. Perfect.
When our bodies were warm again, we moved indoors.
Now began the real “Oyaji Club” time.
🍶 Drinking and Talking About… Nothing Important
We sat around the stove, talking nonsense.
90% of the conversation was silly.
“My blood pressure’s creeping up lately.”
“You bought another backpack?”
“Looks like you’ve gained weight again!”
Nothing serious, but everything comforting.
These moments — the meaningless, warm, shared ones — are the best reward.
🎁 The Tradition — The Red Montbell Ceremony
Midway through the night, the mood shifted.
It was time for the annual “Red Montbell Ceremony.”
When a member turns 60, he’s gifted a red Montbell jacket from everyone.
“Looks great on you!”
“Now you’re ready for next year’s hike!”
Laughter, applause, and a quiet sense of gratitude filled the room.
Watching those older friends, I counted — 53. Just seven years to go.
After losing one of us this year, I thought again:
“Staying healthy isn’t guaranteed. It’s a blessing.”
💬 In the End — I Just Want to Walk with Them Again Next Year
Yushin Valley isn’t about conquering a mountain.
It’s about walking slowly, talking endlessly, and cherishing ordinary time.
For anyone who values friendship, nature, and that post-hike beer that tastes like victory —
this is your hike.
Just don’t forget to check road closures and weather before you go.
Stay safe, and enjoy your “reward hike of life.”
🔗 Related Articles
- 🏔️ A 50-Year-Old’s Gentle Hike up Mt. Ōno
Another “laid-back hike” for casual walkers. Gentle slopes, open views, and a warm countryside feel — perfect if you liked Yushin Valley.- 🚶♂️ Mt. Takao’s Hidden Trail – A Quiet Escape Few Ever Find
For those who love quiet paths and digital detox. A peaceful route away from the usual tourist crowds.- 🌧️ Proved in the Rain — A 50s Hiker’s Challenge in Tanzawa
Same Tanzawa area, but in the rain — showing the power of good gear, teamwork, and a warm mountain meal afterward.
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