Mt. Buko
Mt. Bukō (Bukōsan, 武甲山, 1,304 m) sits on the border of Chichibu City and Yokoze Town in Saitama. Listed in the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains and the Flower 100, its distinctive face — heavily quarried for limestone — has made it the visual icon of Chichibu. From the summit, sweeping views open over the Chichibu Basin.
From Chichibu Railway Urayamaguchi Station, the trail starts directly at the station; a popular alternative is the Yokoze Station side (Seibu Chichibu Line) for a point-to-point traverse.
● Omotesandō Course (Ichi-no-Torii side): closed past Utōhashi bridge (beyond Ryōkō Limestone). Long-term closure continues.
● Hashidate Course (Urayamaguchi side): closed due to large-scale landslide.
The standard routes in this article may currently be impassable. Verify the latest status with the Bukō-zan Museum or Yokoze Town official before heading out.
Bukōsan is in the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains and the Flower 100. A stop at the Bukō-zan Museum to learn about the mountain’s history and the impact of limestone quarrying is recommended before climbing. The shortest approaches are from Urayamaguchi Station (Chichibu Railway) via the Omotesandō, or from Yokoze Station (Seibu Chichibu Line) via Ichi-no-Torii.
How to access the trailheads
- [Outbound] Ikebukuro / Shinjuku → Urayamaguchi Station / Yokoze Station
- [Return] Yokoze Station / Urayamaguchi Station → Ikebukuro / Shinjuku
- Recommended plans and trail-area info
Hiking Course Details — Mt. Buko
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Map & Recommended Route — Mt. Buko
Mt. Buko — Reference Hiking Times
| Segment | Distance | Ascent/Descent | Forward | Reverse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urayamaguchi Station → Mount Bukō | 5.5 km | +1057 m / −13 m | 3:25 | 3:15 |
| Mount Bukō → Ichi-no-Torii | 3.6 km | +15 m / −780 m | 2:20 | 2:25 |
| Ichi-no-Torii → Yokoze Station | 5.8 km | +21 m / −295 m | 1:45 | 1:55 |
| Total | 15.0 km | +1093 m / −1088 m | 7:30 | 7:40 |
1. [Outbound] Ikebukuro / Shinjuku → Urayamaguchi Station / Yokoze Station
Urayamaguchi Station route: From Ikebukuro, take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line to Hannō, transfer at Ohanabatake to the Chichibu Railway and get off at Urayamaguchi Station. The trail begins right at the station. The “Fudō-meisui” spring is right outside, but there is no convenience store within walking distance.
Yokoze Station route: Take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line / Seibu Chichibu Line to Yokoze Station. About 1 h 50 min on foot to Ichi-no-Torii trailhead, or 15 min by taxi.
Fare: Ikebukuro → Urayamaguchi, IC about ¥1,096 (about ¥2,006 with limited express) / Ikebukuro → Yokoze, IC about ¥764 (about ¥1,664 with limited express)
Time: Ikebukuro → Urayamaguchi about 2 h 15 min (limited express) / Ikebukuro → Yokoze about 1 h 16 min (limited express)
● Seibu Limited Express Laview: 1-2 trains/h between Ikebukuro and Hannō / Seibu-Chichibu (extra during peak hours).
● Seibu local trains: 4-6 trains/h between Ikebukuro and Hannō via Tokorozawa.
● Chichibu Railway: 1-2 trains/h between Ohanabatake and Urayamaguchi (2/h in morning and evening).
※ For real-time times, check Seibu Railway official or Yahoo! Transit.
Reference: Yahoo! Transit
2. [Return] Yokoze Station / Urayamaguchi Station → Ikebukuro / Shinjuku
Descend via the Omotesandō Course to Yokoze Station, or via the Hashidate Course to Urayamaguchi Station. Yokoze side has Bukō Onsen right by the station for a soak before the train home.
Fare: Yokoze → Ikebukuro, IC about ¥764 (about ¥1,664 with limited express) / Urayamaguchi → Ikebukuro, IC about ¥1,096
Time: Yokoze → Ikebukuro about 1 h 16 min (limited express) / Urayamaguchi → Ikebukuro about 2 h 15 min (limited express)
The Omotesandō descent involves walking general roads (with limestone-quarry dump trucks) for about 1 h 30 min from the trailhead to the station. A taxi to/from Yokoze Station (about ¥2,500) reduces road-walking fatigue.
Reference: Yahoo! Transit
3. Recommended plans and trail-area info
Standard traverse plan: Ikebukuro → Urayamaguchi (limited express) → Omotesandō trailhead → Bukōsan summit → Ichi-no-Torii → Yokoze Station → Ikebukuro (day trip about 8 h). Long day, start by 7 a.m.
Yokoze taxi plan: Yokoze Station → taxi to Ichi-no-Torii → Bukōsan round trip → Ichi-no-Torii → taxi to Yokoze Station (about 5 h). Confirm Omotesandō closure status.
Bukō Onsen combo plan: After the hike, soak at Bukō Onsen (¥900 adult) near Yokoze Station before returning to Tokyo.
● Water: Fudō-meisui spring right outside Urayamaguchi Station (1 min walk) is the pre-hike water refill spot. “Ōsugi-no-hiroba” at the mid-point of the Omotesandō is a rest spot but not a water source.
● Toilets: at Urayamaguchi Station, Yokoze Station, Ichi-no-Torii parking, and Bukōsan summit (¥100 donation).
● Bukō-zan Museum: about 10 min walk from Yokoze Station, ¥200 admission (closed Tuesdays). Explains the history of limestone quarrying and the mountain’s natural environment.
● Onsen after hike: Bukō Onsen (5 min walk from Yokoze Station, ¥900 bath / ¥200 towel, no closed days).
● Emergency contacts: Chichibu Police 0494-24-0110 / Yokoze Town Hall 0494-25-0111.
Photo by Guilhem Vellut
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