Nantai

At 2486 metres this stunning peak is the highest in this region. For that reason it is nicknamed "the Father". Others are called "Mother, Son and Daughter".
We caught the service bus to the surrounding National Park today. This was not the most brilliant decision we have ever made because it seemed that half the population of Japan had decided to do exactly the same thing!
Thus the outward journey lasted about three times as long as scheduled, but we made it and got off at Yutaki Falls to escape the multitude.
The waterfalls were spectacular, and then we walked down through the forest, following valleys of rivers and streams and then across the plateau of the park, surrounded by towering peaks.
It was gloriously sunny, windy but cool.
This is bear country and there were warning signs everywhere, as well as occasional warning bells - to be rung in order to alert the bears to human presence.
Whether or not that actually works as a deterrent we shall never know, but we encountered none, so perhaps it does.
Had an enjoyable and interesting walk before catching the bus back to Niiko.
The journey back was exciting - down a steep incline consisting of 48 hairpin bends, with precipitous overhangs and drops beyond the crash barriers - plenty of white knuckles!
Fortunately the bus driver was highly skilled and careful. He could easily have scared the wits out of us.
Of many photos this one probably best depicts our walk.