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Chichibu Trip Vol. 1 - Enjoying Food, Nature and Water in Nagatoro

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Chichibu Trip Vol. 1 - Enjoying Food, Nature and Water in Nagatoro

 

 
 
Just north-west of Tokyo in the prefecture of Saitama rests the quaint city of Chichibu. Adorned with beautiful mountains, parks, and fields filled with flowers, the surrounding nature is breathtaking. Chichibu is also famous for its many temples and shrines. It even has a pilgrimage route that people still travel today. 
While many of the sights are located within walking distance of the train stations, a lot of great places can be discovered by venturing towards the countryside. Here you can take in the gorgeous nature, quiet country roads, and hidden shrines and temples. Our recommended way to explore Chichibu is on a bike!

In the first part of this article we will take you for a stroll around the picturesque town of Nagatoro. In part 2 we will grab a rental bycicle and tour Chichibu's beautiful countryside southward to Seibu-Chichibu Station.
 
 

Start with Some Nagatoro Sightseeing!


You can get to Nagatoro Station by train in about 2 hours from Ikebukuro. Before you rent your bike, take a hike up the road right in front of the station. You can’t miss the large white torii gate leading the way. After about 10 minutes you’ll get to Hodosan Shrine.
 
Hodosan Shrine

Hodosan Shrine was founded in the year 110 and is dedicated to Emperor Jimmu (the first Emperor of Japan) along with the mountain and fire deities. This shrine is decorated with colorful wood carvings that are worth the visit by themselves. A the shrine you can find a nicely made English pamphlet that describes its origins and history of the. 

If you wish to venture further up the mountain there is a ropeway that takes you up to the Okumiya, the inner shrine. 
 

Information

Hodosan Jinja | 宝登山神社
Address: 1828 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama (MAP)
Access: 10 min. walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Main Line
Website: http://www.hodosan-jinja.or.jp/english/
 

Enjoy the Local Fresh Water in All Its Forms

Nagatorogura Sake Brewery

Heading back to the station be sure to stop at Nagotorogura. This family-owned sake brewery was founded in 1728 and is currently run by the thirteenth generation. Using the natural water of the surrounding area and rice from Saitama Prefecture they brew all different kinds of sake. You can even take a sneak peek through their observation windows and see how sake is made during the brewing season. 

Connected to the brewery is a shop and cafe. A great souvenir to pick up is the Nagatoro Diary Sakura Nigori (pictured above). It’s a type of sake that becomes naturally pink during the brewing process. It has a slightly sweet and tangy flavor. 

Just outside you can spot a beautiful field of California poppies before you leave.
 

Information

Nagatorogura Sake Brewery | 長瀞蔵
Address: 1158 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama (MAP)
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Tuesday
Access: 8 min. walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Main Line
Website: https://nagatorogura.co.jp/en/
 
Asami Reizou
Shaved ice with sweet white bean cream and kuromitsu syrup (秘伝みつの白あん) 1,200 yen

If you’re going to go cycling it might be best to keep that sake for later. Instead, let’s head over to Asami Reizou for something you can enjoy right now. Their kakigori shaved ice is made using the ice from the nearby mountain streams. They actually carve the natural ice right from the streams! It tastes so clean and refreshing. The standard ice comes with kuromitsu sugar syrup and other sweet sauces that you pour on top a little at a time. You can also choose between white bean, red bean or matcha cream made with a 'secret formula'.
 

Information

Asami Reizou | 阿左美冷蔵
Address: 781-4 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama (MAP)
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Tuesday
Access: 5 min. walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Main Line
Website (Japanese-only): http://asamireizo.web.fc2.com/
 
Nagatoro Funa Kudari

Another must-do in Nagatoro is a cruise on the Arakawa river. Expert boatmen take you down the river on wooden boats. The rocky riverside is also great for relaxing, just watch your step. 
 

Information

Nagatoro Funa Kudari | 秩父長瀞長瀞舟下り・アドベンチャー舟下り
Address: 813-4 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama (MAP)
Access: 4 min. walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Main Line
Website (Japanese-only): http://www.funakudari.co.jp/
 
Iwadatami road

Time to get a healthy lunch before the departure on your bicycle! Take a stroll and savor the sights and smells of Iwadatami road, a peaceful retro shopping street that starts right next to the station and ends at the river.
 
Ayu meshi at Tan-ichi, Nagatoro
Ayu meshi 2,000 yen

One of the specialties here is river fish cuisine. At Tan-ichi you can grab some ayu meshi, sweetfish cooked together with rice. This complete set will give you the energy you’ll need for the trip ahead. At this restaurant you can also get your sweetfish grilled on a stick and cooked in other ways.
 

Information

Tan-ichi | 丹一
Address: 460-1 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama (MAP)
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or until sold out
Irregular Holidays
Access: 4 min. walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Main Line
 

Next Up: Bicycle Trip Through Chichibu!

Nagatoro station rental bicycle


We hope you enjoyed this tour of Nagatoro! In the next article we will rent a bicycle from Nagatoro Station and venture through Chichibu's countryside. We'll take you through beautiful landscapes, rice fields, hidden temples and parks to Seibu Chichibu Station. Once there we'll introduce you to the area and some of Chichibu's famous local products!

 
Chichibu trip vol. 2 - Cycling in the Japanese Countryside and Enjoying Local Products Chichibu trip vol. 2 - Cycling in the Japanese Countryside and Enjoying Local Products

*The above article is based on information from May 2019.
*Prices, business hours and other information in this article are subject to change.

About the Author
Laura is an Italian living and working in Tokyo. She loves exploring hidden and unknown places, taking pictures and listening to Punk Rock music. When she’s not busy doing the above, she might enjoy a craft beer or play the sanshin (an Okinawan instrument similar to a shamisen).

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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 08 05,2019 Author:DiGJAPAN! Editorial Team

 

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