The mountains of Chichibu and Oku-Musashi in Saitama, north of Tokyo,
recede into clusters of lowland hills around the centre of the
prefecture, giving way towards the great Kanto Plain in the east. The
settlement of Ogawa-machi (小川町),
nestled amidst this transition zone, is a historic Japanese
countryside town of about 35,000 people known for its long traditions
of washi paper-making and
sake brewing, both nourished by the area's high-quality mountain
water. In recent decades Ogawa has also emerged as one of Japan's
leading organic agriculture centres, with certain farms gaining high
national profile for their pursuit of sustainable systems in energy,
waste management, and food production.
It was here that I opened my hiking for the year 2015 with this
restful walk through Ogawa's surrounding lowlands and neighbourhoods.
The first half crosses a couple of low peaks overlooking the town,
offering two consecutive 360-degree views for a really not so
demanding climb. The second half winds through the outskirts of the
town and lets you soak in the flavour of its farms, shrines, temples
and peaceful neighbourhoods.
This is an easy walk, about 8km
long, and requires only 3 to 4 hours to complete. There is only one
significant uphill stretch, to get onto the adjacent peaks of
Kannokura-yama (官ノ倉山)
and Sekison-san (石尊山),
both less than 350m high. Do be prepared though for one or two
scrambles down gravelly slopes, including one that involves holding a
chain for support.
To get there, go to Ikebukuro and
take a Tōbu
Tōjō
line express train all the way to the end to Ogawamachi
station, a ride of about 1 hour. Change onto a local train (on the
same line) to go one stop further to Tōbu
Takezawa (東部竹沢)
station. The walk ends back at Ogawamachi station, in the town
centre.
Click the link below for more
photos and route guidance.
