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Mt. Asahi あさひ山 – Yuuhiyama Park ゆうひ山公園
Distance: 6.4 km
Elevation change: 126 metres
Highest point: 213 metres
Start: Hanno Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line)
Finish: Hanno Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line)
Difficulty: ▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅ ❶
Map: Yama to Kogen Chizu 山と高原地図 ［No.23 奥武蔵・秩父 OKUMUSASHI·CHICHIBU］
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Asahiyama Park Loop Hike with Fuji Views
You don’t always have to venture deep into the mountains for a decent view of Fujisan. A perfect case in point is Asahiyama Observation Park, located near Hanno Station and close to Mt. Tenranzan. On clear mornings, the park offers an expansive 270-degree vista stretching from the Tokyo Skytree to the Okutama mountains. Following a recent snowfall, the landscape transformed into a serene winter wonderland. While there are several paths to the lookout area, the most enjoyable route skirts around the back – a leisurely loop hike starting and finishing at the station. The route can be hiked in either direction, though more than half of it follows pavement.
Hanno Station is on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line; from central Tokyo, it takes a little under an hour to reach. From the station, head out the north exit, turn right and then right again, winding along back roads and beside the Iruma River. After crossing the bridge, the trailhead proper is a further 10-minute walk, sticking to a ridge as it makes its way towards Mt Asahi あさひ山 (213 m). The route is well marked and easy to follow.
It takes around an hour to reach Asahiyama Observation Park あさひ山展望公園. Wooden benches line the summit, and a funky-looking sundial adds a bit of character, making it easy to relax and take in the wide views. On a clear day, you can see the Tokyo Skytree and Mt. Fuji, along with Mt. Tsukuba and Mt. Buko. The names and altitudes of the surrounding mountains are etched into the rock wall, so you know exactly what you’re looking at.
While the temperature was well below zero, I had warmed up enough to linger and enjoy the view. From here, head down the stairs and walk along the road for about five minutes to reach Yuuhiyama Park ゆうひ山公園, located in a residential area just south of the Observation Park. This spot offers arguably the best unobstructed view of Fujisan. After rejoining the main road, turn left to return directly to Hanno Station.
David, thank you for this post. I strung this hike together with your excellently-documented Mt. Tenranzan hike, making a counterclockwise loop from Hanno Station over Tenranzan and Tonosu, then down to Asahiyama and Yuuhiyama, and back to the station. It was a fun, longer but still low-key hike of about 10 km total.
The more I explore the Hanno area, the more I enjoy it. Another day hike I like is starting at Agano Station, going up to Kaaburitouge (AKA Kohburitouge), traversing across to Monomiyama and Hiwada-san, then finishing at Koma Station. Good scenery in any season, a few sights and restroom breaks along the way, nothing too strenuous. Tackling big mountains is great, but these types of easily-accessible day-hike routes near Tokyo are invaluable to working stiffs like me who sneak their hikes in on the weekends. One of the things I appreciate most about your blog!
Thanks for the comment, Schlep. The Hanno area really is great and very accessible, with plenty of small gems tucked away. That sounds like a nice loop, and it’s always good to hear when people are linking routes together in ways that suit them.
Like you, as much as I enjoy getting deep into the mountains, sometimes an easy half-day hike is more than enough. Judging by the feedback I hear, a lot of others feel the same way.