Saitama Museum of Natural History

sightseeing

Presenting the theme, "From the past to the future: traveling 300 million years through Saitama's history of people's coexistence with nature," Saitama Museum of Natural History stores various resources related to nature, and displays the fossils of giant shark, “Megalodon," and mysterious sea animal, “Paleoparadoxia," discovered in Saitama Prefecture. The museum is constructed into two halls: the "Geology Exhibition," where visitors can learn about various fossils, rocks and minerals, geological strata and earth formations, and the "Biology Exhibition," featuring large dioramas of the four major forests of Saitama and the animals that live in them. Nagatoro area is a perfect example of the nature in Saitama, and here you can enjoy detailed explanations of its characteristics for a deeper understanding. You can also enjoy simulations and free audio guides. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below.)

Basic Information

Location
1417-1, Nagatoro, Nagatoro Town, Chichibu Gun, Saitama Prefecture
TEL
0494-66-0404

Other

Foreign language support
English/ Chinese/ Spanish
Duty-free shop
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Map

Nearby spots

Tsuki no Ishi Momiji Park
Tsuki no Ishi Momiji Park

The park is named after the stone tablet on which Kyoshi Takahama wrote the haiku “Kokoniware Kuotomubeki Tsukinoishi,” and is very famous for its autumn leaves. The best time to see the autumn leaves is around November, with the illumination of around 50 acer amoenums Japanese maples. The area is very crowded during this time, especially with photography aficionados. You can enjoy the autumn leaves at the adjacent prefectural nature museum as well.

Nagatoro Iwadatami Rocks – Downstream boating
Nagatoro Iwadatami Rocks – Downstream boating

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!

Fujisaki Soubei-Shoten Nagatoro-Gura
Fujisaki Soubei-Shoten Nagatoro-Gura

Established 290 years ago, Nagatorogura Sake Brewery and Boutique Store is a sake brewery that inherits the ambitions of a Hino merchant Jūichiya Sōbē Hyōe who did his best to spread Saitama’s Japanese sake to the world. September 2018, to deepen the sake brewing traditions of Jūichiya Sōbe “Polish with skill and brew with your heart”, the sake brewery moved to Nagatoro, a place of beautiful nature. We are creating a Japanese sake, “THE SAITAMA ORIGINAL” through the use of Saitama’s natural water that flows from the Fuppu area and rice grown on Saitama’s soil.

Hanabishisou Garden (Golden Poppy)
Hanabishisou Garden (Golden Poppy)

The garden is located on a vast site of about 10000 square meters in the back of the Nagatoro Town Folk Museum. The Japanese naming of the golden poppy "Hanabishisou" comes from its shape, which is said to resemble a rhomb ("hishi" in Japanese). In early summer, golden poppies, also known as California poppies, bloom all over the hill. From May to June, the contrast between the deep blue of the sky and the vivid orange color of the poppy is completely mesmerizing.

Hodosan Ropeway
Hodosan Ropeway

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.

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