Mt. Sanpo (Sanpoyama)
Mt. Sanpo lies on the border between Chichibu City in Saitama Prefecture and Kawakami Village in Nagano Prefecture. It sits about 10km north of Mt. Kobushigatake, the central peak of the Okuchichibu Mountain Range, which extends its ridgeline northward to form the Kobushi National Border.
Encircled by the headwaters of Arakawa River to the east and Chikuma and Shinano Rivers to the west, Mt. Sanpo is often overshadowed by the towering presence of neighboring Mt. Kobushigatake. Yet at 2,483m, it marginally surpasses Mt. Kobushigatake as Saitama's highest peak, offering rare vistas not visible from Mt. Kobushigatake.
The broad, flat summit gets ample sunlight but limited views due to dense thickets of southern Japanese hemlock and Rhododendron fauriei, barely revealing Mt. Kobushigatake through the trees. Better vistas are afforded from Sanpo Iwa, a rocky outcrop on the southern face.
The regular route starts from Juumonji Pass, crossing Mt. Oyama (2,252m) and Mt. Bushin Shiraiwa (2,170m) before reaching the saddle below Iwao Rock. A long ascent ensues up Mt. Sanpo's northern slopes through mossy conifer forests epitomizing Okuchichibu's wilderness (about 3 hours from Juumonji Pass). Alternatively, one can reach Mt. Sanpo in 40 minutes from Mt. Kobushi or via the circling trail on its northeast face, bypassing Mt. Kobushi's summit.