Mt. Shibutsu Hiking Guide (Oze): Hatomachi Pass Route, the Uphill-Only Rule, and 2026 Shuttle Access

Based on the Oze Preservation Foundation, Gunma Prefecture, and Katashina Village, checked October 24, 2026. The 2026 shared bus and taxi to Hatomachi Pass run until November 3. Weather and trail conditions can change plans, so check the latest information before you go.

Overview

Mt. Shibutsu (2,228 m) is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan, in Oze National Park in Gunma Prefecture. It is loved for its views over the Ozegahara marsh and its alpine flowers, and you can climb it as a round trip from Hatomachi Pass in a day. But there are rules to know first: the serpentine rock is slippery, the east-face trail from Yamanohana is uphill only, and private cars cannot drive to Hatomachi Pass.

The bamboo-grass ridge of Mt. Shibutsu with a distant view toward Ozegahara — The ridge of Mt. Shibutsu. Photo: Σ64, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Key Facts


Elevation	2,228 m
Location	Katashina Village, Gunma (Oze National Park)
Rating (Gunma grading)	Fitness 2, technical B
Course time	Hatomachi Pass – summit – Hatomachi Pass, about 4.7 hours
Distance and ascent	About 9.5 km; about 700 m up and down
Start	Hatomachi Pass (1,592 m)

Gunma Prefecture defines technical grade B as having steep ascents and descents with places where a fall could turn into a slide; hiking experience is required and map-reading skills are desirable. Course times are walking time only, without breaks or photo stops.

2026 Rules and Access

The east-face trail is uphill only

Gunma Prefecture explains that the east-face trail from Yamanohana to the summit is serpentine rock and very slippery, and that hikers coming down it tend to step onto the vegetation beside the steep path. It is therefore uphill only, except for a round trip between Yamanohana and the treeline. Descending from the summit to Yamanohana is prohibited for safety and conservation. Descend toward Hatomachi Pass.

No private cars to Hatomachi Pass

Katashina Village reports that the road between Tsunagi and Hatomachi Pass is closed to private cars and motorcycles by the Gunma Prefectural Public Safety Commission, from April 17 (10:00) to November 5 (14:00) in 2026. Park at Oze Daiichi Parking in Tokura and transfer to a shared bus or taxi.

Shared bus and taxi operate: April 18 – November 3, 2026 (no service on April 17 or November 4–5)
Fare, one way: adults 1,300 yen, children 650 yen (same for bus and taxi)
Always check the last departure back. If you miss it, you may not be able to get from Hatomachi Pass back to the parking lot

Kan-etsu Kotsu runs local buses from Jomo-Kogen and Numata stations to Oze-Tokura. Check its website for timetables and fares.

Opening day and closures

The Oze Preservation Foundation's 2026 season notice gave June 20 as Mt. Shibutsu's opening day. Each year trails are closed during the snowmelt season to protect the vegetation, with separate rules for the late-snow period, so check the foundation's latest notices. This guide assumes a snow-free summer or autumn hike.

Routes

Round trip from Hatomachi Pass

Gunma's grading rates the round trip from Hatomachi Pass at fitness 2, technical B, about 4.7 hours and 9.5 km. The trail climbs through forest from the pass toward the summit. The uphill-only rule applies to the east-face trail on the Yamanohana side, not to the Hatomachi side.

Loop via Yamanohana

A popular loop goes up the east-face trail from Yamanohana and down from the summit to Hatomachi Pass. Between Yamanohana and Hatomachi Pass you walk on boardwalks and forest paths. We could not find an official course time for this loop.

Mt. Shibutsu beyond a pond and boardwalk in the marsh — A marsh pond and boardwalk, with Mt. Shibutsu behind. Photo: Σ64, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Nature and Conservation Rules

Mt. Shibutsu lies in a Special Protection Zone of Oze National Park and in a Gunma Prefecture Nature Conservation Area. The Oze Preservation Foundation asks hikers to follow its "Mt. Shibutsu rules and manners":

Take all your rubbish home
Do not pick plants or take animals
Camp only at designated sites
The east-face trail from Yamanohana to the summit is uphill only, no descent
Do not step beyond the ropes or off the trail onto vegetation
Put rubber caps on trekking pole tips

The foundation warns that Shibutsu is a 2,228 m alpine peak that can turn harsh, and that going up casually is very dangerous. Plan within your fitness and skills, with time to spare, and turn back if the weather or your condition calls for it. If you want a guide, it recommends certified Oze guides.

Toilets, Facilities, and Climbing Plans

No toilets on the mountain

There are no toilets on Mt. Shibutsu. The foundation asks you to use the toilet at the trailhead and carry a portable toilet just in case; take used ones home and dispose of them as burnable waste. Public toilets are at Hatomachi Pass, and on the Ozegahara side at places such as Fujimishita, Ryugu Jujiro, Toden-goya, Miharashi, and Akadashiro. Some close early and late in the season (until May, and from October), so check the foundation's list. There are donation boxes at the toilet entrances.

Yamanohana Visitor Center

The Oze Yamanohana Visitor Center, set up by Gunma Prefecture and run by the foundation, stands at Yamanohana. Its fiscal 2025 report lists hours of 7:00–16:00 (7:30–15:00 from October 20 to 31) and an open period of May 13 to October 31. Check the foundation's site for the 2026 schedule.

Phone signal and climbing plans

The foundation warns that around Mt. Shibutsu mobile phones generally do not work. Submit a climbing plan in the boxes at the Hatomachi Pass and Yamanohana trailheads or to the nearest police station.

Snowfields

Depending on the year, snowfields remain from opening day until about mid-July. The foundation asks hikers without snow-walking skills to stay away then, and not to leave the trail onto vegetation to avoid the snow.

Flowers

The foundation's Mt. Shibutsu flower calendar lists species such as shibutsu-asatsuki, yukiwarisō, ozesō, hosoba-hina-usuyukisō, jōshū-azumagiku, takane-shiogama, hime-shajin, takane-bara, kumoi-ikarisō, and iwa-hatazao. Peak bloom varies by year and place; check the foundation's calendar. Picking any of them is prohibited.

Cautions

Serpentine rock is slippery. Gunma warns that the steep serpentine and the boardwalks are very slippery in rain. Wear boots with good grip.
Stay on the trail. Decades of hiking have left bare, damaged ground, and conservation work is ongoing.
Weather and timing. Gunma notes that weather often turns in the afternoon. Start in the morning and work back from the last bus.
Late-snow season. Gunma warns that around Golden Week the mountain can be a full winter environment. Going up lightly equipped is dangerous.

Bring hiking boots, rain gear, warm layers, gloves, a hat, water, snacks, a headlamp, a map, and your climbing plan. See also bear safety in Japan.

Green Mt. Shibutsu seen across the marsh — Mt. Shibutsu from the Ozegahara side. Photo: Σ64, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Summary

Mt. Shibutsu can be climbed in a day from Hatomachi Pass, but Gunma rates it technical grade B (experience required). Cars go only as far as Tokura; take the shared bus or taxi to Hatomachi Pass (until November 3 in 2026). The east-face trail on the Yamanohana side is uphill only, and descending it is prohibited.