Oze National Park - Main Coordinates

(For future reference)
Drive to this location (Approx 200 Kms from Tokyo) :


This is a parking area where you need to park your car and buy tickets for minibus/van taxis. This you will get at the entrance of this parking area. You can take your car ahead  till the start of trail only after 10th October. They say Autumn are early (early October) here as compare to Tokyo.



Parking Location & Taxi Stand:
https://goo.gl/maps/a5iLzYLaZkv
〒378-0411 群馬県利根郡片品村戸倉７６６
0278-58-7263


Then Taxi till near the trail: The point till where the Taxi/Van or Mini Bus will take you to where the walking trails will start. I think the charges were 700 or 900 Yens/Adult. Lesser for kids.

 If you are more than 9 members, while coming back, take only 9 tickets which is the max capacity of the vans (A Kids ticket can be exempted). We were told this later though :)
Taxi Terminal Location:
https://goo.gl/maps/1A341fCkso72
〒378-0411 群馬県利根郡片品村戸倉
0278-58-2111

A short walk (100 mtrs) and the exact trail starting point
From the Taxi stop, you walk to this point from where the trails start. This is also the point from where the taxi tickets can be bought. Taxi is the only option till 10th of October. After this time, it is opened to normal vehicles and Even private cars can travel to this point. In case of only taxis,  last taxi taking back to your car park is at 17:15. There is a small refreshment area here.
Start of Trail Location:
https://goo.gl/maps/UCfFSPJpcpR2
〒378-0411 群馬県利根郡片品村戸倉８９８−２５

Which Trail of Kids/Others:
For kids : Looks for the left side mark when you start your trail. There are three such markers. The destination would be around here : https://goo.gl/maps/pzEaj7Hr5vm.  Following trail is easy. It is 3.3. Kms one side and starts with a decline till you start walking on wooden pathways. Only while coming back kids will realize that there is an ascent. Take breaks in that case. Otherwise they will enjoy the route. Also there are bells on the way to notify beers the human presence. Do that and kids will have something to enjoy. Also just before 0.5 to 0.7 km there is a sitting benches in a corner where you can have your snack break.

As soon as you complete this 3.3 kms, there is an open camping area, place to live (like Dorm log houses which required prior reservations). There is a small caffe and food place too here for refreshment. Toilets too. From here you can explore more go in the direction of lake, which can take some time. Take a call based on how much time you have more to return back.There are longer trails of 7 kms from there and deeper for several kms. Would suggest to explore only if you are staying there.

Onsen while coming back:
If you area fan of Onsen, the locals swear by this onsen. Its a beautiful rotenburo included too surrounded by small mountain styled trees overlooking the mountain ranges. Small flowers too as in the name :)
Hananoeki Katashina Hanasaku Hot Spring
1113 Hanasaku, Katashina-mura, Tone-gun, Gunma-ken 378-0408
0278-20-7111
https://goo.gl/maps/3orQnjqKGqj

Hope you find this info useful.

Peace Park Gotemba - A Hidden Gem of a place

Introduction:
Just around 120 Kms from the heart of Tokyo, is a Peace Park nestled in a beautiful location from where you have a spectacular view of Mount Fuji and see the small lego like city on its foothill. You can enjoy this view from a small platform which is created near the temple. Location wise, it is in Gotemba, (Shizuoka Prefecture, near Hakone) and is a A Buddha`s Stupa.

You can easily make a day trip with this location.

Where is this place ?
(Direct Google Link: 静岡県御殿場市東田中 平和公園),
〒412-0026 静岡県御殿場市東田中


Famous For ?
The most remarkable view of the temple is luminous bright white chalky-colored Stupa which basically means a round shaped hemispherical structure where the relics are stored in a special metal container. This place is a private property but open to public.

Lots of foreign visitors visit this place every year due to its historic importance, vicinity to Hakone, Gotemba Premium Outlet Mall and most important mount Fuji.

Brief History and Background:

This Stupa has relics of Buddha presented by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964. Even before this, the ancient story of relics of Buddha is really interesting for the students of History. 

When Buddha left his body and when he was cremated, the relics were to go to only his clan. But there was a demand from other six clans and a king. Hence to avoid the conflicts it was equally divided between them. After many decades when King Ashoka was also greatly influenced by Teaching of Buddha, he re-dug these relics and re-divided into 84,000 parts and equal number of Stupas were created across the land under his rule. A portion from one of these ruins of Stupas were recovered and also found their way in different countries of the world. Japan was also one of them in those time. However, relics particularly for this stupa traveled in modern history after India got its independence from British Colonization.

This Stupa has messages conveying world peace. And it makes complete sense coming from this country which has seen the worst face of weapon of mass destruction and always appeal to the world not to use that again and leave the path of war. There is an apt message written here even in hindi saying "Vishwa Shaanti Mein Hee Sansaar Ka Kalyaan Hai" i.e Betterment/Happiness of the world resides in World Peace.

Kids Friendly:

For kids, there is a small play area where they will enjoy staying in this place. Also there are hundreds of Sakura trees planted in this area which must be giving this place a different charm in spring season. Kids even enjoy the big bell 

Nearby Location:

You can combine this trip with a visit to nearby Gotemba Premium Outlet Mall where there are all the famous brands available and offer a wide variety of products with a very attractive prices. To name few are Adidas, Nike, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Patagonia, Coach, Crocs, , It also offers great options for eating and can be a treat for connoisseurs. 

Whole List Here

Off course apart from this place, you can always visit Hakone which can extended one or two day visit depending on the time you have.

Here is the Google Map For Gotemba Premium Outlet Mall.

Hope you enjoy the place.