SAMURAI SWORD The Ultimate Experience

Experience the thrill of rafting just two-hours away from Tokyo! Dive into this 7-kilometer long adventure, navigating the exciting rapids that run through the majestic Chichibu Red Cliffs and the unique natural monument of Iwadatami, in this experience exclusive to Nagatoro. The term "Iwadatami" translates to "rock tatami" or "rock platform" and refers to the natural formation of rocks, resembling traditional Japanese tatami mats, that are the key scenic spot along the river. Our certified Rafting Association of Japan Guides, a.k.a RAJ Guides, ensure a safe, secure, and enjoyable journey. This 3-hour escapade includes photo data to capture unforgettable moments. The tour content changes daily based on the water levels, and each day brings new and unpredictable thrills! You'll never know what excitement awaits you, making every outing a unique and exhilarating experience. Don't worry if you don't speak much Japanese, as English speaking RAJ Guides are also available to make sure the adventure is as enjoyable as it is memorable!

Chichibu Whisky Premium Tour: Experience the essence of Chichibu Whisky and traditional culture on a 2-night, 3-day journey! Start your adventure with an overnight stay in Old Folk-House Hotel, a beautiful example of traditional Japanese architecture. Explore the exclusive "Venture Whisky Chichibu Distillery," not open to the public. Engage in a unique activity crafting coasters from Whisky barrel materials, surrounded by the nature of Chichibu. Enjoy nature beside a campfire and on boats with warm blanketed kotatsu-tables. The tour ends with a Chichibu bar-hop, where you can savor Chichibu Whisky in local bars and fully immerse yourself in the rich culture of Japanese Whisky.

Indulge in a luxurious "Chichibu Bar Hopping Tour" aboard an exclusively reserved train. The program starts with a private reservation of the "Fifty Two Seats of Happiness Express," a sightseeing restaurant train where you'll enjoy a special lunch meticulously curated by the chef and paired with premium Japanese whiskey "Ichiro's Malt." Then savor an overnight stay at a traditional Japanese architectural gem, the "Old Folk House Hotel." The next day, an exclusive tour awaits at "Venture Whisky Chichibu Distillery," a distillery typically not open to visitors. The journey concludes with a special Chichibu Bar Hopping experience, as you disembark from the train to relish Chichibu Whiskey at local bars to your heart's content.

There are different varieties of Japanese sake, and the taste of each depends on many different factors. The Mikadomatsu sake brewed at Matsuoka Brewery relies on the mineral-rich natural water of Ogawa-machi, perfectly suited for sake brewing, and rice carefully selected from all over Japan, which together with superior techniques handed down over generations of brewers, result in this exquisite sake. On this brewery tour, you can observe the meticulous sake-making process and taste the aromatic and delicious brews of Matsuoka Brewery. *Children may enjoy the high-quality mineral-rich water used to brew sake, drawn from 130 meters underground.

To make traditional Japanese washi paper, you need icy cold and clear water. Ogawamachi, in northwest Saitama Prefecture, is a region that has both of these conditions. The Hosokawa paper made here is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and is highly regarded worldwide, having even been used to restore the Louvre and the British Museum.

The Ogawa Washi Learning Center is a historical building constructed in 1936 for the study of washi paper, and is a place where craftspeople can learn and practice papermaking. Papermaking experiences are available for visitors with an advance reservation.

*Brochures in English and Chinese are available, but staff explanations are in Japanese only, so if you need an interpreter, please contact the Saitama Tourism Support Desk.