Chichibu / Nagatoro

Top Things to do

• Mitsumine-jinja Shrine

  Saitama Pref. Chichibushi Mitsumine 298-1

  Mitsumine-jinja Shrine (literally meaning “three peaks shrine”), so called by that name because of the three peaks of Mt. Kumotori, Mt. Shiraiwa and Mt. Myohogatake which can be seen overlooking the eastern side of the shrine are beautifully positioned in a line. The god worshipped at the shrine is in fact Gokenzoku, the wolf and so the shrine is affectionately known as the Oinusama, meaning “honorable wolf deity”. There is also Mitsumineyama Museum in the shrine’s precincts with exhibits and treasures relating to mountain worship and temple retreat on display.

• Roadside Station Kajukoen Ashigakubo

  Saitama Pref. Chichibugunyokozemachi Ashigakubo 1915-6

  A roadside station standing in front of Ashigakubo Station along National Route 299 in Ashigakubo, Yokoze Town, Chichibu County. Facilities include a farm fresh shop selling produce from local farms and other foods; two restaurants serving Chichibu's famous miso potatoes, zuriage udon noodles, and other local dishes; an activity facility where visitors can learn how to make ceramics and soba and udon noodles; a gallery; and shower rooms. The adjoining Mizube no Cafe serves a popular premium soft serve ice cream.

• Hitsujiyama Park

  Saitama Pref. Chichibushi Omiya 6360

  Hitsujiyama Park is a green land park spread on a hilltop with a panoramic view of Chichibu City, and is known as a flower viewing place for the beautiful cherry blossoms, iris and moss phlox. In the park, moss phlox with more than some 400,000 plants from nine varieties are cultivated over about 17,600 square meters, and red, pink and white moss phlox flowers cover the whole area in spring like a patchwork of flowers. There are a range of facilities such as Fureai bokujo (ranch) where you can pat sheep, a museum for Mt. Buko which is a symbol of Chichibu and an athletics area. Anyone can enjoy the whole day there regardless of their age.

• Chichibu Muse Park

  Saitama Pref. Chichibugunoganomachi Nagaru

  This theme park, flourishing with greenery, displays a variety of flowers throughout the year, including cherry blossoms, daffodils and azaleas. In the fall, the three-kilometer long boulevard of Ginkgo trees is a glorious site to see. The park is full of children friendly activities, such as the Skytrain that runs through the park, and the children’s playground obstacles including a tall observatory.

• Chichibu-jinja Shrine

  Saitama Pref. Chichibushi Bambamachi 1-3

  The ancient and historic Chichibu-jinja Shrine, is a Saitama Prefecture designated Tangible Cultural Property, famous for its well preserved main hall, gifted by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1592. The Chichibu Night Festival, held annually on December 3, is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, and is one of the Big Three Japanese Shrine Float Festivals along with the Gion Festival in Kyoto and Hida Takayama Festivals in Gifu Prefecture.

• Saitama Museum of Rivers

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  Saitama Pref. Osatogunyorimachi Kozono 39

  Opened in 1997, the Saitama Museum of Rivers teaches visitors through a variety of workshops about the Arakawa River, Saitama’s most prominent waterway, as well as the relationship between rivers and people’s lives. Its Arakawa Wakuaku Land facility is open from the Spring Equinox until the mid-November. This extremely popular “water athletics” park lets visitors learn about the scientific properties of water, flood control, and water use first hand through various activities.

• Roadside Station Chichibu

  Saitama Pref. Chichibushi Omiya 4625

  The center of sightseeing along the Chichibuji road, Roadside Station Chichibu is a popular road station that sells souvenirs unique to Chichibu and has restaurants where you can taste local cuisine. Chichibu no Mizu, a fountain with water sourced from an Arakawa River tributary (Urayama River) and groundwater from Mt. Buko, has safe and delicious water cleaned through slow sand filtration. Feel free to take some home.

• Hodosan-jinja Shrine

  Saitama Pref. Chichibugunnagatoromachi Nagatoro 1828

  Hodosan-jinja Shrine with its soothing atmosphere is blessed by the gracefully shaped Mt. Hodo and the beauty of its four seasons. The shrine buildings include the Honden (main sanctuary), Heiden (hall of offerings), and Haiden (hall of worship), constructed in the Gongen-zukuri style. There are many wooden carvings, including the “Nijushiko,” on the transoms. The kami enshrined here with beautiful statues are virtuous ones offering protection against fire and theft.

• Chichibu Onsen Mangan no Yu

  Saitama Pref. Chichibugunminanomachi Shimohinozawa 4000

  Opened in 1997, Chichibu Onsen Mangan no Yu is a popular hot spring where you can enjoy three outdoor hot spring baths to revel in the natural scenery of the four seasons in Chichibu, as well as an indoor bath with large windows overlooking a purely Japanese-style garden. You can gaze at Mangantaki Falls from the three different outdoor baths. Try from a selection of more than 30 different local and seasonal dishes.