William A reader had asked how to best climb Mt Kimpo, and I had recommended the following routes. If driving, the road which passes by Honmyoji Temple is gorgeous (tunnel effect by roadside elms; stop by the temple your way up - free parking), but it’s a terrible road for hiking. Ishigami Dori (石上通り - Google it - streetcar station 段山町駅) has most zero traffic, is more direct, and offers a few temples and some springs from which one can drink en route. It is a long (start early and expect to be home by evening) but gorgeous autumn hike, and historical: it was here that the stones of Kumamoto Castle were quarried. Quarrying continues, as evidenced by the number of shops selling tombstones in the area. Mt Kimpo is a hunk of solid granite, but at its periphery, its weight does squeeze out a bit of water, which you’ll see on your walk. Bring a bottle.