Discover Spectacular Fall Colors on This Nagatoro Day Trip!

Nagatoro is a town nestled in the Chichibu region of western Saitama Prefecture. As we previously mentioned, it’s rich in nature, and is known for sights such as the Nagatoro Gorge, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. The town is just a two-hour ride from bustling Ikebukuro in Tokyo.

One particular event that draws crowds to the town every year is the Nagatoro Fall Foliage Festival which takes place throughout November. Many people visit for a chance to see the area’s gorgeous autumn foliage.

So, in line with the festival, we’ve come up with a one-day itinerary that covers the best fall foliage viewing spots near Nagatoro Station!

Our itinerary includes hiking Mount Hodo, visiting the historic Hodosan Shrine, river rafting down the Nagatoro Gorge while taking in its interesting landscape, and exploring Tsuki no Ishi Momiji Park (Moon Stone Maple Park) where the bulk of the festival takes place. You’ll also get to capture amazing moments at an up-and-coming interactive art facility!

Interested? Let’s dive in!

Our first stop is Mount Hodo, a geosite within Chichibu Geopark. A free shuttle bus from Nagatoro Station will take you to the mountain base.

Standing at 497 meters, Mount Hodo straddles the border of Nagatoro and Minano towns in Chichibu. Well-maintained hiking trails make it accessible, even to beginners. For an easier ascent, hop on the ropeway for a scenic 5-minute ride with breathtaking views. By late November, the mountainside bursts into vibrant reds as the Japanese maple leaves reach peak color.

At the summit, you’ll find the inner shrine of Hodosan Shrine, an observation deck, a small animal park popular with kids, and a large Japanese allspice garden that goes into bloom from late December through late February.

After coming down from the summit, take 10 minutes to walk to Hodosan Shrine. Founded about 1,900 years ago, this ancient site has earned a coveted star in a Japan travel guidebook popular with international visitors.

In mid-November, the shrine grounds are enveloped in autumn colors. Don’t miss the magical nighttime illuminations that bathe the imposing shrine buildings in an ethereal glow during this time of the year!

Hodosan Ropeway
1766-1, Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama

Just a 5-minute walk from Hodosan Shrine, you’ll find the Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club, an interactive art facility where you can touch and pose with the exhibits.

The museum features various themed zones, including areas that immerse you in quintessentially Japanese scenes. Try your hand at being a ninja, transform into an Edo-period (1603－1868) townsperson, or step into a ukiyo-e woodblock print.

It’s the perfect place for snapping social media-worthy photos!

If you really want to immerse yourself in the traditional vibe, rent a kimono. They offer a package deal that includes admission on top of the kimono rental (reservation required).

Not only will you get help with dressing, they can tack on hair styling for an additional fee, too. Plus, you can explore Nagatoro in your kimono outfit until 3:30 PM on the day of your visit!

Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club
704, Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama

No trip to Nagatoro is complete without experiencing its most popular activity: a river cruise in a traditional boat! Watch the skilled boatmen navigate the changing currents using a single pole! This activity traces its roots back to when logs harvested from the Chichibu mountains used to be bundled and transported downstream. Choose from two routes, each approximately 3 kilometers long and taking about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the water levels.

You can purchase tickets at the Nagatoro Line Kudari headquarters, which is a 10-minute walk from Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club.

Hold on tight as you pass through rapids like “”Kotaki no Se”” and “”Okawa Se”” and prepare to get drenched! At the calmer stretches, admire the unique rock formations and vibrant autumn colors of the gorge. The trees are especially vivid in November, so you’re in for gorgeous views.

During your riverboat ride, see if you can spot the “Iwadatami” exposed bedrock formation and the “Chichibu Red Cliff” which stands opposite of it.

Both a part of the Chichibu Geopark, they tell a story 66 to 85 million years in the making. Once just volcanic products, mud, and sand, they were dragged 20 to 30 kilometers underground with the oceanic plate, where intense pressure and heat shaped them into thin, fragile layers much like a stone mille-feuille. Though originally hidden from the elements, the river flow gradually broke down their protective covering, unveiling these layers of rock typically hidden deep below to the world. This is why these rocks are also known as a “window into the Earth.”

In this way, we hope you can discover Nagatoro Gorge’s extraordinary geological part while taking in its beauty.

Nagatoro Line Kudari
489-2, Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama

Our final stop is Tsuki no Ishi Momiji Park (Moon Stone Maple Park), the main venue for the Nagatoro Fall Foliage Festival. This 2,000-square-meter park is home to around 200 trees, primarily Japanese maples along with sawtooth oak and fir trees. Like the other spots in the Nagatoro area, the trees here are at their most beautiful in November.

A riverside walking path connects the park to the Iwadatami rocks in the gorge, perfect for a leisurely autumn stroll.

If you visit in November, be sure to catch the park’s nighttime illuminations! Around 150 LED lights will transform the red and golden leaves into a mesmerizing spectacle.
*Admission fee required for nighttime entry.

Tsuki no Ishi Momiji Park (Moon Stone Maple Park)
1417-1, Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama

While the fall foliage is normally at its peak in November in Nagatoro, it does change a bit from year to year. Before visiting, make sure to check the latest forecast. We hope you can come enjoy the lush nature and stunning fall colors in Nagatoro!