Sightseeing Spots

This shrine was said to be founded by Yamato Takeru, the 12th Emperor of Japan, around 2,000 years ago. The current main building of the shrine is Shinto-style architecture, where the main hall and worship hall share one roof and are connected by an intermediate passageway. The main shrine, hall of offerings, and hall of worship were rebuilt during the end of the Edo period to the early Meiji period. The shrine is said to protect from fires, theft, and pain. Not only do many worshipers come from the local area, but also from throughout Kanto region, with more than one million annual visitors.

This park is located in the beautiful Nagaonekyuryo mountains that extend over the border between Chichibu city and Ogano town. It covers an area of 375 hectares and has three differently themed areas. The forest of sports, the forest of music, and the forest of culture and each of the areas are connected by a three km long "sky road". This park offers one of the best vantage points to experience the breathtaking sea of clouds. The fog produced by radiative cooling lingers in the Chichibu mountain area, creating the perfect conditions for the sea of clouds to form. When the weather aligns just right, you may be lucky enough to witness the iconic Chichibu bridge seemingly floating above the sea of clouds.

The park is the origin of the stone tablet in which Kyoshi Takahama writes “Kokoniware Kuotomubeki Tsukinoishi”, and is very famous due to the yellowing leaves. The best time to see the yellowing of the leaves is around November, with around 50 acer amoenums Japanese maples lit up. The area becomes very crowded during this time, especially with those who are devoted to photography. The yellowing of leaves can be enjoyed at the adjoining prefectural nature museum as well.

The fossils of the large shark, “Megalodon”, and the mysterious sea animal, “Paleoparadoxia”, found within Saitama Prefecture are on display. Furthermore, the Nagatoro area is a perfect example of the characteristics of Saitama's nature, and here you can enjoy easily to understand explanations for a deeper understanding. Also, there are simulation zones and free audio guides to be enjoyed. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below.)

There are about six farms located closely on the east and north sides of Yokose Station, including Mikado Farm and Komatsuzawa Leisure Farm, where you can pick strawberries, grapes, sweet potatoes, and shiitake mushrooms each season.

Founded in 1864. A candy and pastry manufacture and sales store with a long history. “Chichibu Ame (Candy)” is meticulously and carefully crafted, with craftsmen being particular about bringing out the umami and original flavors of each ingredient. Almost all of the products are additive-free, making it safe for individuals of all ages to eat them.

Simple sulfur hot spring. Chichibu Yumoto (source of a hot spring), is a day trip hot spring that utilizes the Bukō Hot Spring as the source; it is effective for a range of chronic diseases such as neuralgia, sore muscles, arthralgia, stiff shoulders, and poor blood circulation. This is a liberating open-air bath where one can fully enjoy nature, with the cypress bath giving a tender feel of the tree and the rock bath providing a simplistic natural atmosphere. In addition, there is a “Bukō Auto Campsite (Phone Number: 0494-23-8229)” nearby and a lodging facility “Bukō-no-yu Bekkan (annex) (For reservation: 0494-24-4141)”.

This roadside station is surrounded by rich nature with deep green mountains, clear streams of the Yokose River, clean air, flowers, and fruit trees for each of the four seasons. Inside the station, there is a farmers' market, restaurant, information center, resting area, experience dōjō (udon/soba), ceramics class, and a gallery. Outside, there is an open space for relaxing and a deck where one can view the river from above. You can also enjoy a walk next to the Yokose river. ※Publishing facility for “Monozukuri Annaijyō” of Saitama Prefecture Industrial Tourism’s Guide Book

This is a museum that exhibits the entire cultural heritage of Yokoze-machi. From stage models of Yokoze’s puppet show (intangible folk cultural property designated by the prefecture) and models of Bukōzanmitake Shrine Palace, there are displays of animals and plants collected from Mt. Bukō as well as historical documents that portray the transitions of Yokoze-machi. In the “nature” section of the permanent exhibition room, fossils of Sinomegaceros yabei, wild ox, wolves from about 130,000 years ago produced in the Nagoya Limestone Cave are on display. These fossil data are very rare on a national scale.

In Chichibu Muse park's "Forest of Sports," there is a facility that anyone can enjoy regardless of age! In a mix of planted and native forests are seven zip lines high above the valley making it the largest park in Japan. The park is for adults and children older than 10 years. The courses are set at high altitudes making this forest adventure very popular among adults as well!

This is a ropeway installed at an altitude of 497 meters in Mt. Hodōsan, connecting a total length of 832 meters from Sanroku Station to Sanchō Station in 5 minutes. The two gondolas go back and forth between Sanchō Station and Sanroku Station in reverse and are operated under a four-line crossing system. Further, the gondolas’ names: “The Bambi” and “The Monkey I” both originate from the popular Japanese macaque and deer at the small zoo of Mt. Hodōsan.

There is “Obinzurusama”, which goes with the saying that it is good to rub a part of the body that is in pain. In spring, the rare Bukoumamezakura blooms cutely, making it a pleasant view for the eyes of visitors. In addition, the animated movie, “The Anthem of the Heart” was based off of this location. The entrance’s “Enmei Jizō (life-prolonging Jizō)” is the mark.

It is the only waterfall in Saitama Prefecture that has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best waterfalls. There is a promenade of about 1.5km, and you can enjoy the seasonal appearance of fresh greenery and autumn leaves. The waterfall is divided into 3 steps, and the huge waterfall that drops for 76 meters is both powerful and impressive!

10 minutes walk from Yokoze Station. 10 minutes walk to Hitsujiyama Park and Shibazakura no Oka. Strawberries with a focus on the best taste and the most secure experience.

This is a house lodge located in the mountain valley with the surrounding enclosed in deciduous trees and the chirping of birds giving one a feel of the season. In the forest, close to the Terasaka Rice Terrace, is a Yuyado (a lodge with a hot spring) of medicinal herbs which is beloved by many as the “Yakusō-no-yu (hot water of medicinal herbs)”. The pride of the lodging is the medicinal herb bath which contains, among other herbs, chameleon plant and Japanese mugwort, allowing for the body to warm up from its core and improving blood circulation. One can expect recovery from fatigue and better skin.

This facility consists of 12 families of fruit farmers, and the closest station is Ashigakubo Station of Seibu Chichibu Line. You can find the collection of fruit farms, aka Orchard Park Village, by the southern slope of Hinatayama in the Ashigakubo district. Fruits are harvested all year with strawberries from early January to mid-May, plums from early July to mid-August, and grapes from mid-August to mid-October. The taste of fully-ripened fruits in the great wilderness and clean air is remarkable. Please come and stop by at least once. There is a restaurant, “Ashigakubo Fruit Garden,” as well as a “farming village park” with a 100-meter roller slide around the vicinity. Furthermore, there are also many great courses to go hiking.

Refresh your soul in this natural environment consisting of a beautiful waterfall and a gorge that has been carved out by a mountain stream originating from Mt. Ryokami in the Chichibu mountain range. Also, from the beginning of January to the end of February every year, one of the three major icicles of Chichibu, Onouchi Hyakukei Icicle, can be found here as well.

Kita-zakura Street is a tunnel of cherry blossoms, with about 400 cherry blossoms lined up for about 2.5 kilometers, that goes along the Arakawa river from Nagatoro Station to Takasago Bridge. The Sakura Passage is located at the foot of Mt. Hodo in Nagatoro Town. Here you can see more than 30 varieties of double-flowered cherry blossoms, measuring up to a total of about 500 cherry blossom trees. During the flowering season, they are lit up with beautiful illuminations. The best time to see the flowers is from early April to mid-April on Kita-zakura Street and from mid-April to late April on the Sakura Passage.

The Arakawa Line downstream boating in Chichibu Nagatoro lets you ride upon the beautifully layered stone riverbed, which is designated as a natural monument. It is a relaxing course with a couple of thrills along the way, but perfectly safe for children or seniors to enjoy as well. While listening to the boatman's entertaining guiding, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the spring, the cool breeze in the summer, the beautiful colors of autumn, and the warmth of the kotatsu (heated table) boat in the winter. In other words, a perfect outdoor activity regardless of the season!

The suspension bridge over Arakawa valley is a great place to enjoy activities utilizing gravity! Strap up with a harness and walk over the suspension bridge, connect to a cable and cross over the Arakawa valley, or swing over the valley on a trapeze! Many adrenaline-pumping activities in the beautiful nature of Arakawa valley!

The building was built in 1930 and was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in 2001. At the Chichibu Meisen museum, you can learn about the history of Chichibu Meisen, view the exhibits, and try your hand at stencil dyeing and weaving. All the equipment displayed in the museum is still in use, and if you are lucky, you can even see it in action.

The shrine is believed to have a history of 2,000 years, stretching all the way back to the era of Emperor Keikō. The faith of Mt. Mitsune spread during the Kamakura period, and the place was revered by Hatakeyama Shigetada and Nitta Yoshioki. Especially the Kishū family's gift to the shogun, during the Tokugawa period, is kept as a valuable shrine treasure to this day. Further, the “15 Nights・Moon Reading Festival” takes place during the autumn, announcing the arrival of autumn to the Chichibu’s mountains.

Apart from the all-you-can-eat package, you can also pick and take it home instead! May end early, depending on the condition of the strawberries! All-you-can-eat varieties: Beni-poppe, Tochiotome, Yayoihime, Souvenir varieties: Amarin, Beni-poppe, Tochiotome, Yayoihime

Chichibu's souvenirs are all here! If you are looking for souvenirs of Chichibu, why not visit here? They have a wide range of products from popular souvenirs of the Chichibu area to the local mascot character, Potekuma-kun goods.