Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta.
This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Mt. Buko in Saitama Prefecture.
Mt. Bukō is a mountain with an altitude of 1,304 meters that is known as a symbol of the Chichibu region and has been selected as one of Japan’s 200 Famous Mountains. It is a popular spot where you can enjoy alpine plants unique to limestone mountains and spectacular views of the Chichibu Basin.
This time, I drove about 200 kilometers on my favorite Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. Below is an introduction to the touring process.
Route to Mt. Buko
This time, I took the Metropolitan Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line from the Shuto Expressway’s Inner Loop Line, and got off at the Hanazono Interchange via the Kanetsu Expressway.
From there, we headed towards Chichibu using the Nishi-Kanto Connecting Road and National Route 140.
There are toll sections along the way, such as the Minano Yorii Bypass and the Minano Yorii Toll Road, but they are not very expensive.
National Route 140 is also a beautiful road called Saikai Kaido, which allows you to enjoy the scenery of Chichibu while driving. As you approach Mt. Buko, you will enter National Route 299, and from here you can see many limestone factories.
Mt. Buko, whose appearance has changed due to limestone mining, can also be seen from this area. I drove to Ikukawa, the trailhead, while being careful of factories and dump trucks.
Highlights of Mt. Buko
Mt. Buko has a climbing course called Omotesando. This course is approximately 7 kilometers long and has a difficulty level for beginners. The ascent takes 2 hours and 20 minutes, and the descent takes about 1 hour and 55 minutes.
From the trailhead, head to the summit passing through Fudo Falls and Osugi Square. There are water stations and restrooms along the way, but please note that they may be closed during the winter.
At the mountaintop, there is Bukosan Mitake Shrine, which enshrines Japan Takeru, but this was originally located at the old mountaintop and was relocated. The old mountaintop has disappeared due to limestone mining.
You can also enjoy the view of the Chichibu Basin and the Tanigawa Mountain Range from the observation deck.
Depending on the season, flowers such as Japanese squash lily and Chichibuiwazakura also bloom. Chichibuiwazakura is an endemic species unique to Mt. Buko, and is designated as a rare species of flora and fauna in Saitama Prefecture. It is a nationally designated natural monument as the “Mt. Buko limestone special plant community.”
Motorcycle parking lot at Mt. Buko
Mt. Buko does not have a dedicated parking lot for motorcycles, but there is a free parking lot at Ikukawa, the trailhead.
About 20 cars can be parked here, but I think it can fit a little more if you’re a motorcycle.
However, it is often crowded on weekends and holidays, so we recommend going early or visiting on weekdays. Also, you need to walk a little from the parking lot to the trailhead.
You can see Mt. Buko from the parking lot, but it is not very beautiful because it has turned white due to limestone mining. The best way to see the rich nature of Mt. Bukō is to climb it.
Summary
This time, I went on a motorcycle tour from central Tokyo to Mt. Buko.
Mt. Bukō is a mountain known as a symbol of the Chichibu region, and is a popular spot where you can enjoy alpine plants unique to limestone mountains and spectacular views of the Chichibu Basin.
The climbing course is also suitable for beginners, and it takes about 4 hours to complete the round trip. However, there are some things to keep in mind, such as the mountain’s appearance changing due to limestone mining and the road to the trailhead becoming crowded with factories and dump trucks.
Still, I think Mt. Buko, where you can experience the history and culture of Chichibu, is the perfect destination for motorcycle touring.
Next time, I would like to take a traverse from Mt. Bukō to Mt. Omochi and Mt. Mukawadake. See you soon.
