Mt. Bonoore
Mount Bonoreyama, referred to as "Bō no Ore Yama" on the Tokyo side and "Bō no Mine" on the Saitama side, stands majestically at an elevation of 969 meters. This unique mountain straddles the border between Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture, nestled between Okutama Town in Tokyo's Nishi-Tama District and the Nameguri area in Hanno City, Saitama. The mountain's diverse flora once prominently featured Kayato trees, but today it boasts a rich coverage of cypress, cedar, and mixed deciduous forests. The summit offers a breathtaking panoramic view across the Okumusashi mountains to the Kanto Plain, making it a prized destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
The etymology of the mountain's name is steeped in legend, suggesting it was named after a stone staff carried by Hatakeyama Shigetada, a Kamakura period warrior, which supposedly broke at this site.
For hikers, there are several trails to explore. From the Tokyo side, the ascent from the Daitanba area (accessible from JR Ome Line's Kawai Station) typically takes about 2 hours. A more challenging route crosses the Takamizu Three Mountains and heads north, requiring around 5 hours from Ikusabata Station. On the Kyoto side, a scenic path through Ozawa Pass and Kuroyama offers about 3 hours of hiking. From the Saitama side, specifically from Hanno City's Nameguri area, it takes approximately 3 hours to reach Gonjiri Pass. Many hikers enjoy the Nameguri Onsen (Sawarabi no Yu) near the Nameguri Bridge bus stop as a soothing end to their journey. Additionally, two trails starting from the Kawanomata-Nameguri Lake entrance bus stop, through Takinohira Ridge and Shiratani Saw, both present about 3 hours of engaging trails.