In Japan,
where coherent seasons are culturally meaningful and still in fact
exist, kōyō
(autumn colours) are to this time of year what sakura are to spring.
Temperatures fall, and a cooling wave sweeps the green of the trees
into reds and golds, progressing south as winter approaches.
It is a fine time to hike. The
summer inferno has passed while the freezing bite of winter is yet to
come, and clear skies are frequent. Here is the first of several
examples: the Sengen Ridge, out west of Tokyo in the Akiruno
(Akigawa/Itsukaichi) area. Another, the South Takao Ridge, will
follow on here shortly, with likely more to come after that.
Sengen Ridge
Length:
Approx. 10km
Hiking
Time:
4-5 hours
Height:
Up to 890m, starting from 255m. Early ascent (occasionally steep) is
followed by relatively level and gentle paths along the ridge until a
steep descent at the end.
Access:
1)
Go to Haijima
Station
(Ōme Line from Tachikawa, or Hachikō Line from Hachiōji, both
short distance), then change to the Itsukaichi
Line
to MUSASHI-ITSUKAICHI
STATION
(also short).
2)
From Bus Stop 1 outside the station, take bus No.10 to Hossawa
no Taki Iriguchi
(Hossawa Falls entrance) – 22 minutes, 460 yen. The walk begins
from that bus stop.
