PowerTower Traditional Geocache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Related Web Page
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Wild and scenic location in central Japan once famous as the wilderness home of Japanese Yamabushi warrior priests. This cache is stashed beneath a very tall tower for electrical transmission lines.
This cache is located is a wooded area several kilometers outside Shizuoka city on the main Japanese island of Honshu. You can access the general area via car though there is also bus service into the general area. You could also walk or ride a bike to this area from Shizuoka city. The cache is stashed in a makeshift rock cairn located below one of the feet of a very large electrical transmission tower. There are no roads or trails into the tower which is serviced by helicopter. You will need to find your way to the tower via one of several very rugged canyons.
Landslides are a common and very dangerous feature of this area. Additional dangers include bears and boars which may be especially aggressive during fall. Hikers may also encounter the very dangerous Asian Giant Hornet (the biggest hornet in the world) which is ranked as the most dangerous animal in Japan. The Asian Giant Hornet (Suzumebachi in Japanese) is responsible for more deaths each year in Japan than all other dangerous Japanese animals combined. The hornets are most deadly in a swarm attack which may occur if you accidentally disturb their hive. Hives are located in dead logs or underground in loose earth. With this in mind please take extra care when moving over fallen trees or when walking in areas of loose soil. If a giant hornet scout comes close (I usually see one or two on every hike in this area) to check you out then do not flail or swat at it as it will most likely move on. Hornets are most likely to attack in fall and are drawn to attack dark colors (wear light colored clothing). If a swarm attack occurs then run like crazy and they may give up the chase. If you come in the summer then be prepared to encounter many giant spider webs (along with their enormous owners) along the path though these are harmless enough. You will also likely see the startlingly large Huntsman spider running fast as they hunt on leaves and rocks. Be careful around wet spots in late spring and summer as Japanese mountain leeches (yamabiru) are abundant in this area and will literally do cartwheels (seriously) out of the foliage to get at you. Leeches are even known to drop from trees when they detect the warm presence of a body below. My best advice to avoid leeches is to not linger long in any wet areas. On rainy days you may also spot enormous brown and orange carnivorous leeches patrolling the ground in search of their favorite food the Giant Japanese Earthworm. These latter animals are harmless though they may startle you when you see them as they are big enough to be confused with snakes. And yes, there are venomous snakes in this area as well. This cache includes a notebook and pen as well as a dry winter leaf. Have fun and be safe. This is a dangerous place anytime of the year and you should definitely take a friend when you go here. I have produced a video which may be helpful in locating this cache. The video does include spoilers as it reveals the direct location of the cache though this point may be helpful as getting to the cache is the most difficult part of this adventure. Here is the video URL:
(visit link)
Important note: Don't forget to download all maps for this geocache into your GPS device before you enter the mountains. As this geocache is well off the phone grid you will otherwise be unable to use maps on your device unless you have first downloaded them into your unit.
~Kurt :-)
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)