Mt. Hodosan
Mount Hodosan, standing at an elevation of 497 meters, is nestled between Nagatoro Town and Minano Town in Saitama Prefecture. Recognized as a national natural monument, it's also a popular tourist destination. The mountain is accessible by ropeway, attracting many visitors to the Hodosan Shrine located at the summit. This shrine is one of the three major Chichibu shrines, housing an inner shrine at the peak. According to mythology, this site was protected from a fire by the deity Yamato Takeru, earning it the nickname "Fire Stop Mountain."
From the summit, visitors can enjoy a splendid view of the Chichibu Basin. The hiking trail from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway to Hodosan Shrine takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Using the ropeway, the walk from Nagatoro Station to the summit is about 30 minutes. Additionally, the back and forth trail extending northwest from the summit to Negoroyama is part of the "Kanto Fureai Trail," offering a unique hiking experience.