Takinoiri is a countryside area in Moroyama Town best known for its seasonal rose garden. Information for the rose garden was initially included in this post. However, the yuzu and roses no longer bloom at the same time, so I’ve separated them into two posts. You can find information for the rose garden here, which opens the second half of May. The Yuzu trees tend to bloom now in early May. In addition, you can see hydrangea on the walk in early summer.
The Yuzu Walkway
Yuzu is the official tree of Moroyama town. The Yuzu of Moroyama are quite famous. Moreover, Moroyama has been producing Yuzu for longer than anywhere else in all of Japan. Yuzu is a citrus fruit, very similar to a lemon in appearance. However, much larger. In one way it looks like a yellow colored orange. They are the fruit you see in the capybara hot springs! Japanese people often put yuzu in the bath in winter. Apart from the refreshing citrus aroma that promotes relaxation, it is said that the rind in the water releases an oil nomilin which improves circulation. It is a tradition to put the citrus fruit in the bath on winter solstice in particular. A yuzu bath on winter solstice is believed to ward off both colds and bad spirits!
Yuzu Walkway
The Takinoiri area has hundreds, if not thousands, of Yuzu trees. You can walk among some on the scenic “Yuzu Walkway” or “Yuzu Promenade”. In the Japanese language: Yuzu no Sanpomichi ゆずの散歩道. The path runs alongside Katsuragi river on one side and Yuzu orchards on the other. Fireflies can be seen along this walk for a short period in early summer. The town ask that if you come across them to take due care and it goes without saying that you should not try and catch them.
About 500 meters along the walkway, just at Mona cafe, the orchards are replaced by road on the right hand side. To continue walking on the Yuzu path, you need to cross over the stream here on stepping stones. Then, the yuzu start up again about 200 meters up the path. The path goes all the way up to Katsuragi Kannon, where there is a great sunrise viewing platform. Its only about two kilometers, but mostly uphill – a steep hill! Past the Kannon, the Katsuragi Pass – a longer hiking trail – starts.
I had read on the Moroyama town website that the trees flower from mid to the end of May. However, they have been flowering early the last few years. I have yet to see them in flower, because I visit the area late in May for the rose festival. The trees bear fruit in Autumn.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea flowers bloom in the area from around mid June to mid July.
Information
Promenade: The Yuzu Walkway ゆずの散歩道
Season: May for flowering Yuzu, end of June for fireflies and hydrangea, which generally bloom into early July in this area.
Hours: 24 hours in theory, but as there is no street lighting in this area its best to avoid walking in this area after dark.
Cost: free
Venue: 675 Takinoiri, Moroyama, Iruma District, Saitama 350-0456. View on Google Maps.
Access the Yuzu Walkway
Unfortunately there is no official parking for the Yuzu Walkway. You would need to find a coin parking lot which are few and far between. The nearest is probably at Moro station (Hachioji Line), which is about a 30 to 35 minute walk away. There is also a very infrequent town loop bus that goes on weekdays and the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. You can also walk from Higashi moro Station which is on the Tobu Ogose line. It takes about 40 minutes on foot from that station.
Currently, there is no official web page for this attraction. There was in the past, but Moroyama renewed their website recently and there are still several pages missing. The location is mentioned in the attached brochure (pdf) about hiking in the town, from Moroyama Town website (Japanese language).
another gorgeous spot!