Fujisaki Soubei-Shoten Nagatoro-Gura

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.

It is said that this shrine was founded by the Japanese Takeru, about 2,000 years ago. The current main building of the shrine is a style of Shinto architecture in which 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 from the end of the Edo period to the early Meiji period. The shrine is said to protect from fires, theft, and pain. Not only are there many worshippers from the local area but throughout the Kanto region, with more than one million annual visitors.

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.

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!