4. Takayama Fudoson Temple and Kaoburi Pass Trail　（高山不動尊・顔振峠）

Trail Location: Start: Nishi-Agano station, Seibu Chichibu line 　　　　Goal: Agano station, Seibu Chichibu line
Access From Tokyo, take an express train or a limited express train on the Seibu Ikebukuro line at Ikebukuro to Hanno. From there, take the Seibu Chichibu line to Nishi-Agano station. The trip takes 70 to 90 minutes.

Total Length: 12.5km
Course Time: 5 hours and 15 minutes
Elevation Difference: 591m
Difficulty Rating: 2 (easy)
* Difficulty ratings: (1)beginner, (2) easy, (3) moderate, (4) strenuous

Trail Features

・Beautiful countryside and mountains covered with green leaves and flowers. In the springtime, the forest is densely green with the new leaves. Many kinds of flowers will bloom, making the mountains so colorful.
・Visiting Takayama Fudoson Temple, a historic temple of esoteric Buddhism. Autumn foliage around here most beautiful in mid Nov. Leaves of a tall gingko tree of over 800 years old turn yellow around end November to early December.
・Beautiful azalea flowers clustered around Kanhasshu Miharashidai Overlook start blooming at end April and become full bloom in early May.

Trail Description

Takayama Fudoson Temple is one of the historic temples in Kanto area along with Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita, Chiba Pref. and Takahata Fudoson Temple in Hino, Tokyo. Founded in 654, it has long been a practice site for Yamabushi, those who obtain spiritual experience and power through training in the deep mountains.

Kaoburi Pass is one of scenic spots in Okumusashi area. On sunny days, the views of Mt. Fuji are pretty amazing. The name “kaoburi” (turn one’s face) comes from a legend that breathtaking views made the famous samurai of the 11th century Minamoto no Yoshitsune and his assistant Benkei turned their faces several times while climbing the slope.

From Nishi-Agano station, walk a paved road that parallels Kitagawa River and the train tracks until you hit the sign of Takayama Fudoson Trailhead. Turn right here and cross a small steel bridge. After a short steep uphill, you will hit the junction at the corner of the final private houses. Turn left here and enter the trail. After 40 minutes of walking in the woods you will reach an abandoned hut on your left. Proceed ahead and go straight the fork road where a stone statue of Jizo stands. Jizo statues are guardians of children and travelers and roadside statues of Jizo are a common sight in Japan.

Let’s walk up the stone steps and make a wish at the temple’s mail hall. Then you should proceed the path between a restroom and a shelter. The path soon crosses a paved road (Okumusashi Green Line). At the opposite of a stone lantern, the trail begins to climb again until it reaches Kanhasshu Miharashidai Overlook. This trail will be tunnel-like with flowers when red blossoms of clustered azaleas are in full bloom in spring. At this Overlook, you can enjoy outstanding panoramic views of surrounding mountains, central Tokyo and Mt. Fuji.

The trail continues along the ridge to the east and descends down to Hanatatematsu Pass. Then the route alternates between the trails and a paved road. Follow the sign of the Kanto Fureai Nature Trail to reach Kasasugi Pass. To continue on to Kaoburi Pass, you should proceed straight. After a small mound, it will be joined by a path from Mt. Ohira on your left. Keep on the paved road (Okumusashi Green Line) leading to Kaoburi Pass.

From the top of Kaoburi Pass, a nostalgic scenery of Satoyama, a countryside landscape typical in the rural area of Japan, with colorful flowers and a color gradation of various trees and farm grounds will come into view. There are a noodle shop and caf?s where many hikers and cyclists are taking a break.

To continue on to Agano station, descend the trail at the corner of Heikuro restaurant. After passing Marishitenson Building, cross the paved road and continue descending the switchbacks in the woods. The trail then parallels the forest road until it reaches Kaoburi Pass Trailhead. After walking about a 40 minutes on the paved road, you will reach Agano station.

Translator: Shuji Ozaki　Author: Toru Sasaki