A leisurely course to fully enjoy Nagatoro dressed in autumn colors. Located about two hours from downtown Nagatoro is a nature-rich tourist destination and one of Saitama Prefecture’s best-known spots for fall foliage. It comes alive with many visitors in November when the fall leaves reach their peak. The Nagatoro Fall Foliage Festival is held annually in November, featuring beautiful night illuminations at Tsuki no Ishi Momiji Park. *Please check the Nagatoro Tourist Association website for the latest information on event schedules.

The Chichibu Pilgrimage Circuit is a spiritual journey to 34 Kannon temples, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, located throughout the Chichibu region. As part of Japan's ancient pilgrimage tradition, it has been treasured by many people for centuries. This article highlights several temples along the route, offering a chance to experience both spiritual reflection and Japanese history and culture. Along the way, you can enjoy local attractions such as restaurants serving Chichibu specialties like “Waraji Katsudon” and “Pork Miso Bowl,” plus shops selling regional sweets. In autumn, you can also take in beautiful fall foliage. *This is a driving course starting from Seibu-Chichibu Station.

Omiya Station is a bustling terminal station where the shinkansen stops and three railway companies converge: JR, Tobu Railway, and Saitama New Urban Transit (New Shuttle). The name "Omiya" derives from Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine, revered as the "great shrine." Enjoy exploring Omiya and its surroundings on foot while experiencing the area's rich history and culture. Highlights include the prestigious Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine, Omiya Bonsai Village which is known as a paradise for bonsai lovers, and the Saitama City Iwatsuki Ningyo Museum.

This is a sightseeing adventure where you can boost your fortune by visiting various spiritual spots! Refresh your mind and body by seeking blessings at these sacred places or drawing energy from lands rich with ancient history. Explore Kumagaya City and Gyoda City for a day - enjoy delicious local specialties, immerse yourself in history, find healing in nature, and escape the daily routine.

Located just outside Tokyo, this historic area is home to ornately decorated landmarks like Chichibu Shrine and museums preserving various culture and crafts.

Just a short distance from Chichibu, you can experience the natural beauty of Nagatoro with a cruise down the Arakawa River or a hike around Iwadatami (tatami rocks).

Fukaya is famous as the site of Japan’s first mechanized brick factory and the birthplace of Shibusawa Eiichi, who helped modernize Japan.

Cycling through Saitama promises for a whimsical tour of the area's rural landscapes and suburban charm, with plenty of hidden treasures along the way.

Visit Kawagoe and get a glimpse into feudal lord lifestyle at Honmaru Palace, one of many unique historical buildings in Kurazukuri Zone!

Tour the traditional buildings and historical atmosphere of an earlier era, and return to the present with a stunning night view!

Less than an hour and a half from Tokyo, the Chichibu area offers not only activities that allow visitors to experience the great outdoors, but also historic sites and hot springs that offer restful relaxation for both body and soul. It is the perfect destination for a short trip from Tokyo.

Kawagoe is easily accessible, just 30 minutes from Tokyo. After your matcha green tea and wasanbon making experience, you can take a stroll around this quaint townscape that still retains the atmosphere of Edo (old Tokyo). You can enjoy many historical warehouse buildings, delicious food, and beautiful nature.

Omiya is an area focused on JR Omiya Station in Saitama Prefecture. Because of its convenient access from Tokyo, the area is bustling with tourists and commuters every day. It has many attractive spots for both adults and children alike.

Discover Gyoda City, full of exciting attractions and fascinating history! Said to be the birthplace of the place names in Saitama, Gyoda has many historical resources and a rich heritage. Spend a day in this charming town exploring traditional arts such as Hana-Chozu (Water Basin Flower Arrangements) and tabi socks. Take pictures with the beautiful Water Basin Flower Arrangements and the old Oshijo Castle and continue on your journey with a relaxing walk through this vintage town, ending with a visit to a warehouse where you can try on tabi socks. Learn about Gyoda City's past and enjoy its unique atmosphere in a day filled with cultural experiences and simple pleasures!

Experience the exceptional craftsmanship of Japan proudly presented by Saitama Prefecture, and delight in the added enjoyment of strawberry picking, all bundled into one affordable package. Saitama stands out for providing such diverse experiences while being just an hour from Tokyo. Please note that this exclusive course is available only from January to May, when travelers can enjoy strawberry picking during this specific period.

Enjoy a day of fun sightseeing with Seibu Railway's one-day pass from either Ikebukuro or Shinjuku Station. You can travel back in time to 1960s Japan at Seibuen Amusement Park, immersing yourself in the retro culture and lifestyle of that era, and then return to present day by experiencing modern architecture and contemporary Japanese pop culture at Tokorozawa Sakura Town.

The Japanese sword, which has countless fans in both Japan and overseas, is characterized by its dual nature as both a weapon for battle and a work of art. One of Saitama’s best kept secrets is a genuine Japanese sword forge located in the town of Kamikawa, Saitama Prefecture, just north of Tokyo. Blacksmiths who work with iron were once revered as close to the divine, and this tour offers an intimate look at their refined skills, traditional white-clad attire and rituals passed down from the artform’s heyday. Kamikawa is blessed with high-quality water, and Yamaki Brewery, which produces Japanese food favorites like soy sauce, tofu, and miso, is also nearby. Following this itinerary lets you experience the soul of the samurai through Japanese sword-making, along with Japanese food culture.

Just a 30-minute train ride from Tokyo, Kawagoe captivates international travelers with its quaint old-style Japanese streets. But why not explore further into the scenic landscape and fertile lands of neighboring Kawajima? Embark on an adventurous journey filled with lush rice paddies, verdant fields, and winding rivers on this scenic 20-minute bus ride, where you’ll be surrounded by fields of rice of such high quality, it graces the tables of the Imperial Family. Standing within this picturesque setting are the Kinbue Soy Sauce Park, boasting a 230-year history, and the Toyama Memorial Museum, a registered Important Cultural Property of Japan. After experiencing Kawagoe, we suggest you extend your day trip to include Kawajima and enjoy the true essence of traditional Japanese life!

A route to enjoy the charm of Ogawa-machi, Saitama Prefecture. You can experience Saitama’s culture and local gourmet cuisine, and the enchantment of traditional washi paper products. The southern area of Ogawa-machi station thrived as the town center during the Edo period, with buildings such as townhouses, Western-style houses, and warehouses still standing to this day, earning it designation as a "Saitama Prefecture Historical Scenic Model District." From Ikebukuro, you can experience authentic Japan in just an hour and a half.

Discover the hidden charm of Ogawa in northwestern Saitama Prefecture, just a 70-minute train ride from Ikebukuro Station or 40 minutes from Kawagoe. Surrounded by nature-rich mountain villages, Ogawa is known for its pristine underground water, which lends itself to making Hosokawa Paper, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage that is so highly reputed it is used to restore paintings in the Louvre. Ogawa’s blessed water has also led to a flourishing sake brewing industry, making it a must-see for fans of Japanese sake. This itinerary will allow you to experience the art of papermaking at the Ogawamachi Washi Experience Learning Center, and then enjoy a tour and sake tasting at Matsuoka Brewery, one of Ogawa’s top sake breweries.

Embark on an exciting river rafting journey just two hours from Tokyo Station! Begin your adventure by boarding the lightning-fast Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo or Ueno Station to Kumagaya Station, after which a peaceful local train will take you to Kami-Nagatoro Station, making the total journey under two hours. After arriving at Nagatoro, head to Outdoor Center Nagatoro to join an adrenaline-filled whitewater rafting tour. Then enjoy a leisurely stroll along the picturesque rocky paths of Iwadatami in Nagatoro Gorge, followed by lunch in the Nagatoro township. Next, visit the Trick Art Museum, accessible by shuttle bus from Nagatoro Station, and ascend to the summit of Mt. Hodosan via ropeway and revel in breathtaking panoramic views. Conclude your Nagatoro trip with a stop by the tranquil Hodosan Shrine.

On this course visitors can experience the serene town of Ogano-machi, once a center of silk weaving from the Meiji Era to the early Showa Era. After exploring the local Kabuki culture, visitors can stroll through the town's streets, which still bear remnants of its prosperous days as a silk-producing hub. Lunch will feature the town's famous “warajikatsu” (thin pork cutlet) dish. In the afternoon, guests can indulge in the elegance of Chichibu-Meisen kimono at the historic Suzaki Ryokan, established during the Meiji era. To conclude their journey, they can visit the venerable Juurinji Temple in Ogano, taking a moment to reflect on the town's rich history within its sacred surroundings. This captivating itinerary offers a delightful opportunity to fully immerse oneself in the traditional Japanese culture cultivated in Ogano.

Take a a trip back to the 1920s with just an hour and a half train ride from Tokyo. You can explore the cultural assets of Chichibu Station and its beautiful surroundings in this one-day walking tour.

Experience ancient Japanese cultural treasures connected to the deep history of Saitama Prefecture.

Saitama City has many facilities where you can learn about Japanese cultural practices, such as bonsai cultivation, and about Japanese technological advances that are popular around the world.

Many places in Saitama have been used as settings for anime and manga. Join us on this course where we’ll visit locations in Saitama which appeared in popular anime, such as Crayon Shin-chan and Lucky Star.