Mt. Maruyama

Mt. Maruyama (丸山, 960 m) is a mountain in Yokoze, Saitama Prefecture, and one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kantō. Effectively the highest point of the Soto-Chichibu hills, its summit Maruyama observation deck gives a 360-degree panorama of Mt. Bukō, Mt. Ryōkami and the Okumusashi range. The summit area is laid out as the Saitama Prefectural “Kenmin-no-Mori” (People’s Forest) with well-trodden, easy trails. It is an easy day hike on foot from Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line — a view mountain suitable even for beginners.
The nearest station is Ashigakubo Station (Seibu Chichibu Line); you walk the trail from the station to the summit.

Mt. Maruyama is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Kantō. Everything is within walking distance of Ashigakubo Station: about 1 hour 40 minutes from Ikebukuro via a Seibu Ikebukuro Line limited express and a local train. It is a beginner route of about 2 hours’ climb from the station to the summit.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

1. [Outbound] Ashigakubo Station → Kenmin-no-Mori → Maruyama summit
2. [Loop] Circuit via Ōno Pass and Hinatayama
3. [Return] Descent → Ashigakubo Station
4. Recommended plans & area info

1. [Outbound] Ashigakubo Station → Kenmin-no-Mori → Maruyama summit

Get off at Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line (toilets, vending machines and coin lockers at the station). Enter the trail at the Ashigakubo Fruit Park Village entrance, pass the junction for Hinatayama, and reach the Saitama Prefectural Kenmin-no-Mori. Via the Forest Learning Hall it is about a 2-hour climb to the summit of Maruyama. The gentle wooded path leads to the summit deck and its 360-degree panorama.

Reference: Seibu Railway — Maruyama hiking course

2. [Loop] Circuit via Ōno Pass and Hinatayama

For variety, a popular loop descends the ridge from Maruyama toward Ōno Pass, then returns to Ashigakubo Station via the Fruit Park Village and Hinatayama. Ashigakubo Station → Kenmin-no-Mori → Maruyama → Ōno Pass → Ashigakubo Station takes about 4 hours. Hinatayama (633 m) is a smaller peak below Maruyama with good views too — a good option if you have less time.

Reference: Yokoze Town — Views of Soto-Chichibu Maruyama

3. [Return] Descent → Ashigakubo Station

Both the out-and-back and the loop converge on Ashigakubo Station. After the hike, the adjoining “Michi-no-Eki Kajuen Ashigakubo” offers souvenirs and snacks. Take the Seibu Chichibu Line toward Hannō / Ikebukuro, or about 5 minutes to Seibu-Chichibu Station. Trains run only a few times an hour, so check times to match your descent.

Reference: Seibu Railway

4. Recommended plans & area info

View day-hike: Ashigakubo Station → Kenmin-no-Mori → Maruyama deck → return (about 4.5 hours). No hazards; good for beginners.
Loop plan: Ashigakubo Station → Maruyama → Ōno Pass → Hinatayama → Ashigakubo Station (about 4 hours). A varied ridge walk.

Relief map: GSI Japan