03-Jun-2001 -- This was a completely GPS-navigated confluence. First, I set the navigation system in my car to the nearest town listed on the confluence homepage. As soon as I got near to the town, I realized that the position was up on the mountain. I then used my handheld GPS to guide me near the spot and the car GPS for its roadmap. The closest I could get by car was about 650 meters. My wife and daughter were along for the ride, and they came along with me on the hike. However, they decided to pull out after about 100 meters. The forest started out easy enough, but many of the trees around that area were cut down, making it passable. About 200 meters into the walk, I hit a wall of trees and bushes. At the start of this area, I had to go off course every three meters or so to get by each section I did find two clear patches of about ten meters each, but then I ran into a steep dropoff and considered giving up at that point (I was still more than 200 meters away). I looked around and found a place that was not as steep. At the bottom was a creek which, along with one of its branches, I ended up crossing about seven times during the round trip. At about 80 meters from the confluence, things got really difficult. There were a lot more bushes between the trees and most of them were thornbushes! Anyway, I clawed my way up the hill and got to the closest point I could: 33.00.001N/131.00.001E. I could not take any pictures from there because it was packed with trees and bushes. The picture with me in it is at 33.00.002N/131.00.009E; it was the only space I could find close enough to even stand up and set up my tripod. I did not spend much time there, not only because there was nothing to see, but also because my wife and daughter were waiting for me (I was worried about them, too.) The trek took me out of cell phone range, so I could not call until I was about 300 meters away from them. The trip was exhausting for me, and I would not recommend it for other couch potatoes. More seasoned hikers might have an easier time of it. The onsen (hot spring bath) afterward really felt good.