Mt. Kannokura 神ノ倉山

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Kinsho 金勝山 – Kannokura-toge 官ノ倉峠 – Mt. Sekison 石尊山

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A Hike to Mt. Kinsho and Mt. Kannokura

If you’re looking for a low-lying mountain with great views, then Mt. Kannokura might be just the ticket. Located in the western part of Saitama Prefecture near Chichibu, this mountain offers a peaceful escape with scenic vistas, especially for those seeking quieter trails. Although about half of the route follows paved roads, the route is varied and worth a visit. The hike can also be combined with the neighbouring Mt. Kinsho, as was done on this occasion. Overall, the hike navigation is a bit complicated, with trails branching off in multiple directions. Be sure to rely on the guideposts and the GPS track to help navigate your way.

The hike begins at Tobu-Takezawa Station 東武竹沢駅 on the Tobu Tojo Line, making it convenient without requiring a long trip from Tokyo. To beat the morning commute, I arrived at the station just before 7:00 am. After exiting the station, head back through the underpass to the south exit, then turn right and follow the path along the railway line. Look for signs pointing to Mt. Kinsho 金勝山.

At the first junction, you have the option of taking the Sawa Course (沢コース) or the One Course (尾根コース). Take your pick, as both routes meet up again before reaching the summit. The trail continues gently, surrounded by a cedar forest. Despite the cedar trees, the forest is not dark, as sunlight streams through the canopy. As the slope increases slightly, you arrive at an unnamed peak marked only by a bench. Soon, a white refuge hut comes into view, signed as the “First Refuge Hut.” The hut is quite spacious inside and feels different from a typical mountain refuge hut, with a more open interior.

The view from the summit of Mt. Kinsho 金勝山 (264 m) is a tad hemmed in, as do the neighbouring peaks of Mt. Urakinsho 裏金勝山, Mt. Nishi-Kinsho 西金勝山, and Mt. Asama 浅間山. After enjoying the summit of Mt. Kinsho, begin your descent, passing by the Ogawa Genki Plaza 小川げんきプラザ, which features a planetarium. In the distance to your right, you can spot the massive Honda factory dominating the landscape. On clear days, you can also see the mountains in the Nikko area.

After descending via the switchbacks to a cluster of houses, the trail continues across the Hachiko Line. Turn right onto National Route 254, then turn left, heading along the Kabuto River. Keep an eye out for a guidepost for Sanko Shrine 三光神社. If you turn onto the footpath on your right, you’ll come across the Yoshida Family Residence 吉田家住宅, the oldest known house in Saitama Prefecture. This historical Edo-period homestead features a thatched roof and is worth a quick visit. After passing the quaint-looking Sanko Shrine, continue along the paved road, which leads to Tenno Numa Pond, an agricultural reservoir, and the start of the trailhead proper.

From here, the trail transitions into a mountain path as it winds its way up to Kannokura-toge 官ノ倉峠. The section from Kannokura Pass to Mt. Kannokura is steep and rocky, demanding some care and effort. The summit of Mt. Kannokura 官ノ倉山 (345 m) offers a couple of benches for resting. However, far better views can be enjoyed from the marginally lower Mt. Sekison 石尊山 (344 m), which is marked by a large rock altar. Looking directly north, you can faintly make out Mt. Akagi on clear days.

After passing Mt. Sekison, exercise caution as the terrain becomes steep and rocky. Fixed chains are installed to assist your footing, especially when dealing with dry, flaky fallen leaves. The path gradually widens as you descend through a cedar forest towards Kitamuki Fudo 北向き不動, a small water source. After passing the falls, you’ll emerge into a village before re-entering a mountain path that leads towards Chofukuji Temple 長福寺.

Shortly after passing the temple, you’ll encounter a large torii gate spanning the road, suggesting that this approach has been in use since ancient times. From here, it’s an another 15-minute walk to Ogawamachi Station 小川町駅.
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