Looking along the Mogami River past Kahoku towards Yamagata

Still climbing, passing Mt Hayama

Autopilot on before the buffeting mountain air causes me to have a conniption

Passing over the city of Sakata

Looking out the window at these farm fields and wondering at what the chevron patterns are for

Hakusan Island

Picking up the highway towards Niigata, switching off AP and descending for a better view of the city and surrounding area

A protected estuary of the Niigo River

Descending for approach, making sure I don't get too low too fast as the terrain is still mountainous close to the shore

Taxiing straight off for parking

Parked at Sado Airport

Nothing so far, coming back around for another pass over the area

Back down to 1,500' and keeping it on manual as I plan to carve through some valleys instead of going over the mountains

Rounding the corner towards Beaver Bay and the Unga Strait

Super low and flat on my approach because I suffer from runway length anxiety. But then there's also landing short in the water anxiety...

Shutdown at Sand Point. Can't continue on yet because of that weather in the distance so will have to sit and wait again...

Leaving Ísafjörður behind

Looking back towards Aomori as I head east

The volcanic peaks of Towada-Hachimantai National Park are looking better today but still partly shrouded by clouds

Tuning my nav radio to a VOR for the first time in the 172 as I'm still not entirely sure where I am and which peak is the one I'm supposed to be aiming for, so I set a radial that intercepts it

Headed back over the frost line with Mount Iwate in the distance

Continuing south from Mount Iwate

The rock formation Hvitserkur

Dropping lower to stay clear of the clouds I was skimming up at 4,500'

Checking out the volcanic crater lake of Usori as I descend back beneath the clouds

Obstruction on short final but didn't cause me any trouble

The massive low-level sprawl of Kampala

HAHAHAH look at that sock. This should be interesting

Headed for Fetlar Island just south of Unst

Parked just as the rain washed over the island. Will wait for clearer skies next time...

An alien landscape, this volcanic terrain

Looking back towards Svalbarð over the frost line

Run-up checks as threatening clouds build to the north but thankfully I will be heading south

Taxiing out as clouds hide the peak of Mount Rishiri

Departure from Rishiri

Climbing up to cruise altitude past the peak of Mount Rishiri

Getting a good look at the sunlit face of Mount Rishiri as I reach 4,500'

Flying over Yagashiri Island with Teuri Island in the distance

Descending under the clouds as I look back at the Mashike Mountains

Approaching Mount Yōtei, a mini Mt Fuji

Final look back at Mount Yōtei before clouds swallow it up

Coming around from west to south around the peak of Mt. Kariba

At the south end of Okushiri Island lies the airport, with an approach over a cliff face

Turning away from Fowl Cay to setup for downwind leg

The sunlight on the dash momentarily made me think the Master Caution light was on again

Got a little uncoordinated on landing and compensated a bit too much for the crosswind, ran off the edge of the runway a smidge

On the ramp for the flight school at Obihiro airport, going to take possession of one of their Cessna 172s and head out to get a close look at Japan!

Wait a min.....

Sports fields for Fellaskóli, a grade school

Keeping it manual as I climb and depart for a circling ascent over the cape