Event name: Katsuragi San Hiking
 
Star-rating: 1
 
Date & Time: May 5 (Saturday, Kodomo no Hi holiday) from 09:35 a.m; event about 6 hours (hiking time about 4 hours)
 
Mount Katsuragi is famous for its azaleas. They typically blossom around May 10 but may be a bit earlier this year because it has been quite warm.

Description of the event/course: We'll take the bus 80 (Nara Kotsu) for Katsuragi Ropeway Mae at 9:40 am (290 yen). From the Ropeway station we hike up Mount  Katsuragi (an easy ascent of about 650 m which should take no more than two hours). We'll have lunch on top in the Shizen Tsutsuji En (azalea garden) and then head down to Kanan Cho (about two hours). From Kawachi (Kanan Cho) there is a bus service (370 yen) to Tondabayashi station on the Kintetsu line.
 
Meeting point and time: Kintetsu Gose Station (近鉄御所駅), 9:35 am
please be in time because we take the bus at 9:40!
 
Transportation: From Osaka Abenobashi Station, take the Kintetsu train bound for Yoshino; change at Shakudo to the Kintetsu train for Gose.
train schedule: leave Osaka at 8:50, arr. Shakudo 9:21, leave Shakudo 9:27, arr. Gose 9:35. (620 yen)
alternatively you can take the JR train to Gose station and then walk to Kintetsu Gose.
 
Requirements/What to bring: Hiking Shoes/Boots, Warm Clothes, Rainwear, Hat, Sunscreen;
Drinking Water, Lunch (Bento), Snacks;
 
Deadline for sign-up: Thursday May 3
 
Cancelled if the weather forecast is more than 60 % of rain
 
Special note: When you sign up, please let me know your mobile phone number