Chichibu Area

Index

Highlights of Chichibu Area

The Chichibu area in Saitama prefecture consists mainly of two towns. Chichibu and Nagatoro. It is located about 1.5 – 2 hours northwest of Tokyo. It is known for its beverages, including wine, Japanese sake, and whisky, as well as its rich nature, shrines, and anime.

It is convenient to get to either by train or car from Tokyo, with the “Lavie – Red Arrow Limited Express Train” offering breathtaking views and a unique travel experience.

When you arrive in Chichibu, you will find that it is quite a small town with many restaurants and bars located close to the station, but other attractions are spread a little further out, such as the breweries, mountains, and parks.

Chichibu is also known for being the location for two popular anime: “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day” and “The Anthem of the Heart.” The characters are spread around town, and many anime fans make a pilgrimage to see them.

Autumn leaves in Tsuki no Ishi Momiji park

Entrance of Chichibu Distillery who makes Ichiro's Malt Whisky

Shibazakura at Hitsujiyama park in Chichibu

Misotsuchi no tsurara in chichibu (frozen waterfall)

Access

From Tokyo

From Airports

Haneda Intl. Airport

Narita Intl. Airport

Ibaraki Airport

Main Stations

Videos of Chichibu Area

Go to Chichibu by Spaceship Train

Spring Day Trip in Chichibu

Beautiful Autumn Leaves Near Tokyo🍁

Rafting Along the Nagatoro River

Things to DO in Chichibu Area

Water rafting
(Spring, Summer & Autumn)

Nagatoro Line Kudari is Japanese style boat cruise down the river which can be easily found only 5min walk from Nagatoro sta. Nagatoro in Chichibu is also known for water rafting (click to read about water rafting in Nagatoro).

Shibazakura
(Spring)

15min walk from Seibu-Chichibu station is Hitsujiyama Park (羊山公園）which is a very famous spot for viewing the beautiful Shibazakura flowers.

Autumn leaves (Autumn)

Chichibu area is know for its beautiful autumn foliage. 5min walk from Kami-Nagatoro sta. is Tsuki-no-ishi park (月の石もみじ公園） where you can see colorful maple leafs. Otaki (大滝) is also know for autumn leaves in Chichibu.

Ice Waterfall Lightup
(Winter)

There are three frozen water falls in Chichibu. 'Ashigakubo no Tsurara (あしがくぼの氷柱)', 'Misotsuchi no Tsurara (三十槌の氷柱)', and 'Onouchi Hyakkei Tsurara (尾ノ内百景氷柱)'. The easiest to get to by public transport is 'Ashigakubo no Tsurara (あしがくぼの氷柱)', which is only 10 min walk from Ashigakubo station (芦ヶ久保駅).

Wine, Beer & Sake

Chichibu is a great place to discover local beverages and is proud about its long history (250years) of brewing. These days they are 4 sake breweries, two wineries and one beer brewery as well as distillery located in the area, with some of them offering tours and tastings.

Beautiful festival floats at Chichibu Night Festival in Chichibu

Festivals

The Chichibu residents love to party! There are more than 400 festivals in Chichibu, so you are likely to find something when you visit. Famous festivals are UNESCO registered Chichibu Night Festival (秩父夜祭), Nagatoro Fire Festival (長瀞火祭り), and Nagatoro Funatama Festival (長瀞船玉まつり) which can be found in our Events & festival calendar or below.

EATING in Chichibu Area

Western Food

There are a few western style restaurants in Chichibu to choose from with many featuring some of the locally produced wine. Anything from small tapas style dishes to full food and wine pairing menus can be found, a great place for foodies and wine lovers alike.

Japanese Food

There are a lot of Japanese restaurants in Chichibu serving a variety of Japanese dishes. However, most popular is soba, which is also paired with local wine is one of them. As well as a pork restaurant, serving juicy slices of perfectly marinated pork on top of a bed of rice that locals cannot get enough of.

Soba

With over 60 soba restaurants in Chichibu, this is certainly the dish the area is mostly known for. With every restaurant making fresh buckwheat noodles on site , no two soba taste the same as each restaurant also has secret dipping sauce to perfectly balance the noodles as a dish.

Places to STAY in Chichibu Area

Onsen Ryokan
(Japanese style Hotels)

Chichibu and Nagatoro in the Chichibu area offer many Japanese style onsen ryokans. From Budget to Upscale to meet most peoples need. (Many of the rooms have western beds as well as Japanese futon)

Western Style Hotels

There are not that many Western style hotels in Chichibu area. Guest can opt in for a western style room in a Onsen Ryokan (Japanese style hotel) or a Holiday rental (airbnb).

Holiday rental (airbnb)

There are a few nice holiday homes and airbnbs available in the area.

Top EVENTS around Chichibu Area

Samurai warriors rush to battle at the Yorii Hojo Festival (Yorii Hojo Matsuri)

11th May (Sun)

Hojo Festival in Yorii - 1h 45min from Tokyo

2025:

11th May (Sun)

Yorii Town

*
*from Tokyo

Japanese Name:

Visit Yorii Hojo Festival in Yorii (Yorii Hojo Matsuri) to see the ultimate Samurai battle and sword fight! Don't miss it! (Yorii Town / 寄居町)

Amazing Sakura trees and Canola blossoms at Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi.

26th March (Wed) to 8th April (Tue)

Sakura Viewing in Kumagaya

2025:

26th March (Wed) to 8th April (Tue)

Kumagaya City

*
*from Tokyo

Japanese Name:

Visit Kumagaya City to view the amazing Sakura & Canola blossoms nearby Tokyo! (Kumagaya City / 熊谷市）

2nd March (Sunday)

Nagatoro Fire Festival

2025:

2nd March (Sunday)

Nagatoro Town

*
*from Tokyo

Japanese Name:

Visit Nagatoro Fire Festival (Nagatoro Himatsuri) to watch monks walk over fire! (Nagatoro Town / 長瀞町）

2nd-3rd, December *Same days every year

Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Yomatsuri)

2024:

2nd-3rd, December *Same days every year

Chichibu City

1h 40min*
*from Tokyo

Japanese Name: 秩父夜祭

Chichibu Night Festival is a traditional Japanese festival registered as a UNESCO heritage. The highlight is the beautiful floats and fireworks on both nights.