"Shounen no Mori" 少年の森

Symbol Tree Jpn 'Zelkova'

Athletic fields and activities

It has about 20 outdoor athletic facilities in

the playground for children without a fee.

It's called "Syounen no Mori" that means

'Boy's Forest' where is located at north-west

of Fujisawa City in Kanagawa Prefecture.

http://f-mirai.jp/youth/mori is the official

website but only Japanese. It's open from

9:00am to 4:30pm; closed Monday.


Access

Buses run to 'Gosyomi tyugakkou-mae"

from some train stations ''Syounanndai',

Athletic Facilities

'Tyougo' and 'Ebina'. "Syounen no Mori"

is about 800m south of  the bus stop 'Gosyo-

mi tyugakkou-mae". Bike is perfectly feasible.

It has the advantage of getting directly there.

Otherwise, put your bike on the train before

you start pedalling. You are required to use

a bike carrying bag. Many people drive a car.

Free parking lots available for about 50 cars.

What to bring

Some people prepare a tent for sun blind along

the small artificial pond so that they can look

thier children playing in the water. Spare

Dandelions

clothes, sandals and the lunch box are

required for children. There are no shops

except soft drink vending machines. Do not

forget water bottles your favorite.

Playing at 'Boy's Forest'
I left home late at 10am to avoid free parking

spaces crowded. I thought parking is the most

crowded around 10am. I bet a few people leave

before noon. Then I can park my car easily.

We got "Shounen no Mori" at 11am.

A couple of cars couldn't park in a proper

Bring Water Bottles

parking section. That means overflowing

with cars.... As expected, luckily, there were
two parking spaces vacant.

My children took about a hour to do all 20

outdoor athletic facilities. They enjoyed two

times. Then, we really enjoyed the botanical

observation. After that, we had lunch I had prepared.

Actually, preparing lunch boxes hung up

leaving home. Before leaving "Shounen no

Mori", we enjoyed playing baseball and soccer
in the playground next to Zelkova tree.

Dawn Redwoods (Metasequoia)

False Strawberry

Morito Valley Trek

Access

Shin-Zushi is the terminus of the Keikyu line, not far from JR Zushi station, and the starting point for this hike. The gate of Morito Valley is around 2.5 km south-east of Shin-Zushi Sta. It takes about 40 minutes walk with three children.

At The Gate

It's by no means a major attraction, but I highly recommend this is one of the best half-day hike around Tokyo. So my youngest child "Makoto" is only 4-year-old baby girl. I was trying to soothe her again and again. After 40 mins walk from the station, we finally managed to arrive at the gate. But then, we were stuck. The sign reads "NO ENTRY".

Taking a closer look, there is a narrow entrance for a pedestrian beside the gate. My first child "Hajime", 6th grade, insists that we can't get in the forest. He is very well-mannered. I'd like to see what his parents are like. Now, I can't think of switching the hiking route after such a long walk. This warning doesn't bother me a bit, but he does. Last night, I took a glance at the map. The title is "The Miura Alps". So I'm confident I can take a walk in safety but I'm not confident if Hajime agrees or not.

I have a strong memory about him. Last year, we visited the site of a new dam project at Gunma Pref. The site was under construction but no one was there. Just some dump trucks passed us in a desolate village without even saying hello. Dispalced people had already been forced to exit their homes. And the closed railroad station was just the other side of the truss structure brige. I was so excited to see these views. So I was taking a walk on the track and got up a ladder to the signal for railroad. I really enjoyed a lot.  Here are some photos at Yanba-Dam Project 2015.  But Hajime had never passed through a piece of rope "KEEP OUT".

The Trek

I behaved ordinarily at the gate and just went through it. Hajime came at once with concern. Then 2nd child "Izumi" and Makoto followed Hajime like a shadow. Before long, we walked past the elder hikers. What a relief, I thought I'd miss the hike.

From here the trail contours along the side of Morito Valley before ascending to "Mt. Futago". The trail crosses the small narrow stream till upstream on a long, log bridges and leads you walking on the stream to climb to Mt. Futago. Watch carefully, or you'll miss the sign that is

on a very small scale and is partly concealed under leaves.

I was a little surprised. My cellpone was out of range. Even in Northern Alps, it works. So it's lovely day, hear beautiful birdsongs, unexpected a pice of chain or rope at rolling hills, and amazing lots of fallen trees, but no toilet facilities on the trail. It takes about 1.5 hours to the peak of Mt.Futago from the gate. We enjoyed having lunch there. I had packed 2 big boxes for children.

Hiking this route with children, I recommend playing or fishing for small fish at the stream by the gate before walking to Mt. Futago. Actually, my children enjoyed as much as they want. As for me, I feel happier out there than in here.

Side Trip: Public bath

Here is the public bath "Aduma-Yu" near JR "Higashi-Zushi" Sta.

It takes about 1.5 hours from Mt.Futago. It's good location on the way home after hiking there. But unfortunately there was closed on Tursdays.... I thought it would be open today cuz today is a national holiday for celebrating children growing up espesially boys. The day features the practice taking a bath with the plant called sweet-flag. 

Side Trip: To "Taura" Yokosuka
There are some routes from Mt.Futago to Taura. I know there is a public bath as well....

The Miura Alps

The Miura Alps is located just south of Mt.Futago. The route is almost mountain ranges between west and east. The west starting point is "Hayama". The East is "Taura". Now I hit on an idea about treking. One party starts from east around Mt.Sengen", othe one starts from west around "Mt.Nyutou".