03-Aug-2004 -- On August 1, 2004, in the aftermath of typhoon number 10 we finally set out to visit confluence 34N / 134E after a number of postponed intentions. Upon viewing our maps we decided to approach the confluence from the township of Handa as this seemed the easiest access. Yet, after passing the waterfall of Todoro (appx 500m away), the unpaved forest road that we were on came to an unfortunate end, in what seemed the result of a landslide. The steep forest slopes made it rather impossible to go any further by foot.

On August 3, 2004, the sun was shining and we tried it again, this time from the neighboring township of Mikamo. From Mikamo Center a rather smooth 20 km ride up the mountain brought us to the point successfully at around 11h20 AM. The surroundings of the confluence are gorgeous and perhaps for this reason it should be no surprise that the municipality of Mikamo decided to erect a garden and picnic ground at the confluence. The point itself is well marked by a superb structure and a nearby map signals other confluences within Japan. Many people have obviously visited this confluence before us. Nonetheless we had the pleasure of being the first to document it for the Degree Confluence Project.

Thanks are due to Prof. Kozai (Naruto University) for lending us his GPS and for providing us with maps at scale 1:25000. Noteworthy is the fact that the altitude of the confluence is not 571 m as indicated in the DCP website. The GPS marked 875 m above sea level, while an inaccurate aneroid altimeter (due to changing meteorological conditions—Typhoon) read 780m. From the topographic map one can assume that the confluence is at 865 m above sea level.

Shikoku Island`s on land confluences are now complete!

Coordinator's Note: This visit is classified 'incomplete' since the visitors used the Tokyo datum and not WGS84 which is used by the DCP.