Ranzan’s usually dark green interior is transformed into an assortment of rich colors (Photo: Steve Morton)

Musashi Ranzan’s Ohirayama Park

Beautiful colors everywhere!

Steve Morton   - 1 min read

Earlier this month I found myself doing something very unusual in re-visiting somewhere within the space of a year. The reason for this was very simple. Last year after witnessing the autumn foliage at Saitama’s Ranzan Valley, I was so impressed that I couldn’t resist coming again.

Located in-between the spacious Ohirayama Park and Ogawamachi Forest, Ranzan Valley is becoming an ever more popular retreat for many Tokyoites. With its vast array of great hiking courses and natural wonders, this area provides the perfect escape away from the ever bustling metropolis.

Despite becoming more popular each year, it is still possible to find some solitude and colorful sights during the autumn if you arrive early enough to beat the crowds.

One of the best walking courses I discovered starts from Ogawamachi Station and ends at Musashi-Ranzan Station. Both of these stations are situated on the Tobu-Tojo Line that runs from Tokyo’s Ikebukuro Station. Walking maps can usually be found at either station or by looking on the links listed later in this article.

Steve Morton

Steve Morton @steve.morton138

Yokohama based content creator, editor, and researcher. Steven likes, eating, reading and traveling on a streamlined budget guaranteed to make any self-respecting local gulp. When not too busy with work assignments, Steven attempts to not get lost while following Japanese tourist maps.Follow me o...