Tag: Short Hike

I’d been wanting to explore more of Tokyo largest park since my last visit a couple of years ago. I especially wanted to visit later in Spring to see the Kishi rice fields after planting; I also wanted to check out the “Satoyama Minka”, a traditional farmhouse; finally, I wanted to get a view from one of the several observation points on the western edge of the park. It would be a short hike which I could extend by making one or two detours along the park’s many footpaths.

Hiking in the Sayama Hills 狭山丘陵

To get there, I’d ride the Laview limited express to Hanno, and then take a local train one stop to Higashi-Hanno. There, I’d transfer to the Hachiko line for just two stops and get off at Hakonegasaki station, where a bus would take me to a stop near the park entrance. For the return, I could walk back to Hakonegasaki and do the same route in reverse. The weather was supposed to be cloudy but dry; I’d have to be careful of the muddy, slippery trails after heavy rain the previous day. I was looking forward to a relaxing hike near the center of Tokyo.

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Start of the hike (left) Trail on Maruyama (right)

Path for Kishi Rice Fields (left) Path for Sakurazawa Pond (right)

I had chosen a roundabout way to get to the start of today’s hike so that I could ride in comfort most of the way; thick clouds during the entire trip made me wonder about the wisdom of going out on such a day. The bus ride to Kishi bus stop was only a few minutes but saved me from walking along the busy Ome-kaido avenue. After a short walk through a residential neighbourhood I arrived at a staircase leading up to Suga Shrine ( 須賀神社) at the edge of Noyamakita-Rokudoyama Park (野山北・六道山公園). Past the shrine was a lane leading to Satoyama-Minka (里山民家), fronted by a small marsh, alive with the sound of croaking frogs.

Hiking Trail along the Rice Fields

The Freshly Planted Kishi Fields

I was amazed by the quick transition from city to nature, all buildings, except the farmhouse with its thatched roof, hidden by the trees. The visit of the interior only took a short time, the rustic atmosphere recreated by the crackling fire in the sunken hearth (“irori”). After quickly walking the path circling the marsh, I headed over to the freshly planted Kish rice fields (岸田んぼ). I made my way up the left side but soon had to head back due to a trail closure. I crossed between two fields to the right side and headed back to the entrance of Maruyama (丸山), a small hill with several hiking trails. I hadn’t had time to explore it on my last visit so I eagerly made my way up the small path into the green forest, the first of my planned detours.

Looking back towards the Satoyama Farmhouse

Walking through Maruyama

I was surprised by the well-maintained trails and relatively new signposts, although since the trail soon reached a dead-end at Yuzuriha Square (ユズリハ広場), a level space with a couple of benches surrounded by forest. I retraced my steps to a junction and followed the ridge north. I was the only person hiking these trails on what was so far a muggy, overcast day but fortunately I had the company of some very musical birds. I had to be careful not to step off the trail as the ankle-hike grass lining it was still wet from last night’s rain. After a short descent, I arrived back at the Kishi rice fields, just before noon. Instead of following the trail up to Mt Rokudo, which I had done before, I decided to cross the fields again and head up the ridge on the left side.

Heading North along Maruyama

Steps for Sakurazawa Pond

Soon after passing a pond with a tortoise swimming in the middle, I turned left and followed the path up a slope till it merged with the Obikiyama walking trail (尾引山遊歩道) where I turned right. I soon left this level ridge trail for some steep steps heading down on the right side, my second detour of the day. I was fascinated by the surrounding forest, tall trees wrapped by a species of vine . Here I finally met the first people of the day, solitary walkers enjoying some time in nature. At 12h30, I reached Sakurazawa Pond (桜沢池) where I was greeted by a new outburst of birdsong.

Path along Sakurazawa Pond

Some Blue Sky near Sakurazawa Pond

After heading up some steps to a wooden observation deck opposite the pond, I turned around and saw patches of blue sky for the first time of the day, giving me hope for the afternoon. I now followed another trail that soon merged with the Obikiyama trail from before. I was intrigued by the old worn-out signposts on this side of the valley, possibly because they were still in the middle of replacing the park signs. A little before 1pm, I arrived at the observation tower on top of Mt Rokudo (六道山 194m), my fourth time there.

Looking down at Sakurazawa Pond

Blue Sky from the Top of the Mt Rokudo Observation Tower

I could barely make out the Okutama and Tanzawa mountains from the top of the tower, Mt Fuji completely hidden behind the clouds. On the other hand, yesterday’s rain had thoroughly cleaned the air of smog, creating a surreal vision of the clouds above, their outline sharp and clear against the ever-expanding blue sky. I soon made my way back down the tower and followed a paved road towards Fujimidai square (富士見台広場), admiring purple and pink azaleas along the way. After reaching the wide grassy area of the square, I was faced with a choice of three trails for the final part of today’s hike.

Heading down to Yuhidai Playground

End of the Hike on the Tennozan Walking Trail

I opted for the middle one, the only one that was an actual hiking path, the Tennozan walking trail (天王山遊歩道); the other two, Daisaka (台坂) and Dainichiyama (大日山), were along paved roads. After passing another Suga Shrine (須賀神社), I followed some log steps down the mountain side; it abruptly ending at a steep embankment ramp, but luckily some steps on the left side, saved me the effort of having to rappel using the fixed rope. I had stumbled into the Yuhidai play equipment square (夕日台遊具広場), a kind of adventure playground, deserted on this warm humid day. Next up was a zip line, followed by a rope bridge, both looking eerily out of place in the middle of the forest.

Observation Square on the Tennozan Walking Trail

View of the Okutama Mountains with Mt Odake on the left

I suddenly emerged into a wide grassy space at the base of the hills. Making my way through the damp tall grass, I rejoined another section of the Tennozan trail but soon turned left up a log staircase ending at an Observation square with a view southwest. Through the mist, I could still make out the outline of Mt Odake and Mt Mitake. It was past 3h30, so I hurried down the road on the left side. I was soon walking among houses, and at 4pm, I was back at the station. While riding the Hachiko line to Hanno, the weather cleared up somewhat, giving me a closeup view of the Okutama mountains on the west side, a fitting end to today’s hike.

Watch a Video of the Hike

See a Slideshow of More Pictures of the Hike

I had already done this short hike in Western Tokyo on a cold winter day more than ten years ago. Since I had a chance to go hiking on a weekday morning, I thought it would be nice to redo it and see the new Spring green in the middle of Tokyo. It would also be a continuation of my recent hike between Aihara and Naganuma. Although there are no summits along the trail, I would pass by an observation deck inside Hirayamajoshi park. This hilly trail would also pass next to the Tama Zoological Park with a chance to glimpse some exotic animals.

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Start of the Hike (left) Log Steps inside the Park (right)

To get to the start of the hike, I’d ride the Keio line from Shinjuku to Hirayamajoshi-koen Station. Depending on the time, I could catch a return train from Takahatafudoson station or the closer Minami-daira station, both on the Keio line. I was hoping to see the colourful Takahata Fudoson Temple but since the section around it is through the city, I didn’t mind giving it a miss. The weather was supposed to be sunny and warm and I was looking forward to revisiting a green area inside the city of Tokyo.

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Steps for an Observation Deck (left) Path between Park and Zoo (right)

I got off the train at 9am, and after a short walk through a residential neighbourhood, I reached the start of the Nanao Hills walking path (七生散策路), marked by a signpost half-hidden by vegetation. A footpath led me up a grassy slope into the trees; I soon found myself climbing through forest along a well-defined path with wooden handrails, surprised by the sudden full-immersion into nature. A little before 10am, I reached a level open space with a view on the west side, in front of the houses of Hirayama-nichome.

Walking in Nanao Park (left) Walking next to Tama Zoo (right)

Walking on Top of (left) and Down (right) Nanao Hills

I was delighted by this unexpected view so early in the hike. Directly ahead, I could see the Okutama mountains, with Mt Odake, Mt Gozen and Mt Mito in the center; on each side, the Chichibu and Tanzawa mountains extended north and south, respectively; closeby, I could see the Southern Sky Tower next to Hachioji station; finally, on one side of the clearing, I spotted a huge Flowering Dogwood. I soon moved on, and after a short section on a paved road, reached a wooden signpost sending me up a series of steep steps on the left, leading back into the forest.

Open Space with a View at Hirayama-nichome

View of the Okutama Mountains

I was surprised by the constant birdsong, a sharp contrast to my previous hikes north of Tokyo. I soon reached a small shrine, purple azalea adding a dash of colour to the grey stone of its “torii“. From there, a level path led to the entrance of Hirayamajoshi park (平山城址公園), also the highest point of today’s hike. As I crossed the park from west to east, I marvelled at the abundance of green in every direction, more like an urban forest than a city park.

Close-up View of the Mountains surrounding Tokyo

Walking through the West Part of Hirayamajoshi Park

I could only see blue sky above the trees instead of buildings and I could only hear the song of birds, instead of city noises, since the park straddled one of the highest points of the hills. After some ups and down via log steps, I reached an observation deck in the eastern part of the park. Looking west, I could see Mt Gonzen, Mt Odake, Mt Mitake and Mt Hinode, although this view was less clear than the previous one. A little after 11am, I exited the park, and followed a connecting path between two fences, thoughtfully painted in green to match the scenery.

Walking through the East Part of the Hirayamajoshi Park

Hidamari “Sunny Spot” Platform in Hirayamajoshi Park

I was happy I could continue walking through nature, even if it was only a narrow section. I soon reached an open space above a cemetary, the Tama memorial garden, from where I had a view of the Tanzawa mountains to the south. I next followed a road for a short while, feeling quite hot under the midday sun, to a grassy path leading into Nanao Park. After some more ups and downs through beautiful greenery, the path always well-signposted, I reached a section with a chain-link fence on the right side; I knew that the Tama Zoological Garden was somewhere on the other side.

Log Steps inside Hirayamajoshi Park

Green Fence along the Connecting Path

I soon started hearing noises made by various animals although none could be seen through the vegetation. One exception was the Orangutan Forest: I was able to spot an orange lump lounging on one of the elevated platforms. This was probably the nicest section of the day as I was now following a real hiking trail, instead of a path inside a park. At one point, I had a view of the city through a gap in the vegetation on the left side. At noon, I reached a junction for Minami-daira station: here I decided to turn left and make my way back to the train station.

View of the Tanzawa Mountains from the Tama Memorial Garden

Approaching Tama Zoo

I was amazed by the steepness of the steps leading down the hillside; even though I was well inside the city, the angle of descent matched that of the mountains surrounding the Kanto Plain. Halfway down, I reached a small observation platform where I had a view of the flat city landscape extending northwards. Eventually I emerged onto a road from where it was a ten-minute walk to Minami-daira station, a forty-minute train ride back to Shinjuku.

View North Halfway down the Nanao Hills

End of the Nanao Hills Hike

I was glad I’d decided to redo this hike in Spring as the impression was quite different from my previous visit. Although the views might be better in winter, the new green scenery was stunning; the trails sections outside the parks were surprisingly well maintained and sign-posted; finally, even though the elevation is relatively low, the hilly nature of the trail made for an excellent workout. In the future, I hope to return and visit the Tama Zoo, as well as the Botanical Gardens of the Tokyo university of pharmacy and life sciences located right next to Hirayamajoshi Park.

Watch a Video of the Hike

Watch the Video of the Hike on YouTube