Sunday 24 March 2013

Spring 2013 Hanami Warm-up Hiking: Kōbōyama


Spring has come early to Tokyo this year, and with it the sakura have started to blossom. As it warms up, the time is ideal to head for the mountains and forests.

These photos come from the Kōbōyama (Mt. Kobo, 弘法山) park in Hadano, Kanagawa Prefecture, in the foothills of the Ōyama-Tanzawa mountains. Kōbōyama and its two adjoining peaks, Gongenyama and Azumayama, are easily accessible from central Tokyo and offer some casual and relaxing hiking, with plenty of sakura trees, impressive views and picnic spots. A walk from Hadano station in the west, across the three peaks and finishing at Tsurumaki Onsen station in the east (both on the Odakyu Line) can be done in two to three hours; and at no more than 250m high with only an initial steep ascent, the trails are gentle and easy.

Hadano.