Mt. Ryōkami Hiking Guide: Trail Status, Bear Sightings and Chain Sections (October 2026)

This guide is based on official information from the Ogano Town Tourism Association, Saitama Prefecture and the Saitama Prefectural Police (updated September 17), checked October 24, 2026. Times that could not be confirmed officially have been left out.

Introduction

Mt. Ryōkami (両神山, Ryōkamisan) is a 1,723 m peak on the border of Ogano town and Chichibu city in Saitama Prefecture, inside Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. It is one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. The standard day hike is the Omote-sandō trail from the Hinata-Ōya trailhead (日向大谷口).

As of October 2026 there are official warnings about bear sightings and falls. With chain sections and steep climbs, this is not just a longer version of an easy low-mountain walk, so come prepared.

Trail status in October 2026

Hinata-Ōya trailhead (Omote-sandō)

• The public toilet at the Hinata-Ōya trailhead was closed because of a broken pipe, but repairs are finished and it can be used again (Ogano Town Tourism Association)
• At about 2:30 p.m. on September 23, 2026, a bear was reported near Kaisho (会所) on the Hinata-Ōya trail. Carry a bear bell and bear spray. If you meet a bear, do not run. Back away slowly while watching it, keep calm and quiet, and once you are safe, report it to Ogano town or the police
• The tourism association warns that several falls have happened in recent months and that the chain sections increase from Kiyotaki Hut up to the summit. Check each chain and foothold carefully. Its page lists the recent accidents by date
• The men's urinals in the Kiyotaki Hut public toilet are out of use because of a broken flush button (since April 24, 2026)

Other routes

• Hatchō Pass route (from the Kami-Ochiai Bridge trailhead to the summit): the closure because of bears was lifted on September 10 (Saitama Prefecture). The prefecture notes that lifting the closure does not guarantee safety from bears, and the route may be closed again depending on sightings. Check before you go
• Hatchō Tunnel trailhead: the Kanayama–Shigasaka forest road has collapsed, and vehicles cannot reach it from either the Ogano side or the Chichibu side (Saitama Prefectural Police)
• Nanataki-sawa route: closed (Saitama Prefectural Police, Ogano Town Tourism Association)
• The police report falls on the chain sections and hikers getting lost between the Hatchō Tunnel trailhead and Hatchō Pass. After reaching Hatchō Pass, take care not to head toward Mt. Akaiwa by mistake; that way is steep, dangerous rock

Basic information

Because there are no official times, plan around your own pace and work backward from sunset.

The route and its chain sections

From the Hinata-Ōya trailhead the trail passes Kaisho, Kōbō-no-Ido (a spring), Kiyotaki Hut and Ryōkami Shrine on the way to the summit. According to the tourism association, the chain sections increase above Kiyotaki Hut. Watch out for rock that is wet after rain or with morning dew, and for slips on the way down. Keep three points of contact when using the chains.

The Hatchō Ridge (Hatchō Pass route) is a string of rocky sections with chains, for experienced hikers only. The police have warned about past falls there. On your first visit, I recommend climbing from Hinata-Ōya.

Access

Public transport

The Ogano town bus Hinata-Ōya–Mitsumineguchi line runs between the Hinata-Ōya trailhead, Ryōkami Onsen Yakushi-no-Yu and Mitsumineguchi Station. There is also a town bus from Seibu-Chichibu Station. Buses are few, so plan your day around the return bus. The town bus pages have moved, so check the latest times and fares on the Ogano town website or the tourism association's site.

By car

You start from the parking areas around the Hinata-Ōya trailhead. The Ōiri public toilet is below the first (paved) parking lot. Weekends and holidays in the autumn-leaf season get busy, so arrive early. I could not confirm the number of spaces or the fee officially.

Clothing and gear

• Hiking boots (for the chains, wet rock and the long descent), rain gear, a warm layer, gloves and a hat
• Bear bell and bear spray, a headlamp, a map app with offline maps, a mobile battery and a first-aid kit
• Submit a hiking plan; both the Saitama Prefectural Police and the tourism association ask for one

Safety points

1. Bears: a bear was reported near Kaisho on September 23. Carry a bell and spray, and hike with others
2. Falls on the chains: from Kiyotaki Hut to the summit. Wet rock makes them much harder
3. Start early, finish early: autumn days are short. Always carry a headlamp
4. Check closures: the Nanataki-sawa route and the Hatchō Tunnel trailhead are closed. Don't plan from old maps or articles

Summary

• For a first visit, take the Omote-sandō trail from Hinata-Ōya. The toilet there is open again
• A bear was reported on September 23, 2026, and there have been several falls on the chain sections
• The bear closure of the Hatchō Pass route (Kami-Ochiai Bridge) was lifted on September 10, but it could be closed again
• The Hatchō Tunnel trailhead is closed to vehicles, and the Nanataki-sawa route is closed
• I could not officially confirm round-trip times, parking capacity and fees, or bus fares

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References

• Ogano Town Tourism Association: Mountain information (Japanese)
• Saitama Prefectural Police: Hiking information (Japanese)
• Saitama Prefecture: Closure lifted, Kami-Ochiai Bridge trailhead to the summit (Japanese)
• Ogano Town Tourism Association: Town bus timetables (Japanese)
• Ogano Town (Japanese)