Experience the Charms of Mountain Life Year-round: Strawberry Picking in Spring, Cool Rivers in Summer, Autumn Leaves in Fall

Chichibu City, Yokoze Town, Minano Town, Nagatoro Town, Ogano Town, Saitama

Local stories

Celebrate the Earth and embark on a culinary adventure. During the Umadoshi Sokaicho event that comes around every 12 years, the 34 Buddhist temples along Chichibu’s leg of Japan’s 100 Kannon Pilgrimage specially exhibit their normally hidden Buddhist relics, offering the perfect opportunity to take a deep dive into Japanese culture. During the pre-event, tour the temples with an English-speaking local guide and gain insights into the area’s spiritual culture and historical significance.

Through encounters with Chichibu’s unique dishes and shojin ryori (traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), you’ll be able to explore its climate, way of life, and history with all your senses. Talk with the head priest of a local temple and learn about the bounties of the mountain village environment and the wisdom of the community as well as Buddhist teachings and the Japanese tea ceremony. Experiences such as seated Zen meditation and sutra copying are also valuable opportunities to learn about Japan’s spiritual traditions. Rediscover yourself in the midst of monastic life.

On your pilgrimage to Kannonji, you’ll head down mountain paths with nature all around as well as unadorned city streets. Amid beautiful landscapes that change with the seasons, allow yourself to be immersed in an atmosphere of mindfulness and serenity. Connect with the people, culture, food, and nature of Chichibu and make your stay one to remember.

Local culinary delights

A trip to Chichibu isn’t complete without its delicious local cuisine. Getting to try some subtle-tasting shojin ryori in a temple is just one rare culinary experience offered in Chichibu. You can also enjoy a dinner that pairs together local food and sake at a restaurant that forms part of the traditional folk-house complex where you’ll be staying. You can even try making soba noodles or local Chichibu dishes. Feel free to try a variety of cuisines that incorporate local ingredients.

Recommended model course

Embark on a journey of serenity and mindfulness in Chichibu and see Buddhist relics unveiled just once every 12 years

Example itinerary

Rediscover yourself! Once every 12 years, Buddhist temples along Chichibu’s leg of Japan’s 100 Kannon Pilgrimage specially exhibit relics of Kannon—the bodhisattva of compassion—all at the same time. Go on an English-guided tour of the temples and try Chichibu’s local cuisine. Jorakuji is a famous temple in the area that offers a wide range of unique temple activities from seated and walking Zen meditation to sutra chanting and copying as well as temple trekking. Celebrations of the Earth, local flavors, and once-in-a-lifetime encounters await you on this trip to the tranquil city of Chichibu.

Reservation Website URL:
Contact:

https://www.chichibu-omotenashi.com/mail-form/

Schedule

Day One

Enjoy workshops at Nansekizan Jorakuji, the 11th temple of the Chichibu circuit

The Chichibu pilgrimage circuit consists of 34 Buddhist temples dedicated to Kannon that dot the Chichibu region of Saitama. At Jorakuji, you can listen to a dharma sermon by the head priest and experience various monastic activities like seated and walking Zen meditation, sutra chanting and copying, and temple trekking. Getting to try some subtle-tasting shojin ryori is just one rare culinary experience offered in Chichibu. Lastly, help out with monastic tasks like cleaning and spend the rest of your day there.

Listen to an introductory dharma sermon by the head priest on what it means to travel in the spirit of Buddhism
Experience seated Zen meditation (with instructions on breathing, posture, and self-reflection)
Chant sutras aloud straight from the original texts
Eat a shojin ryori lunch
Experience copying sutras or tracing Buddhist images (with calligraphy instructions by Reika Kasuya and Kenichi Uchiyama)
Perform walking Zen meditation and experience a silent pilgrimage with explanations by the head priest
Perform active meditation through monastic tasks such as yard and kitchen work
Share and transfer merit (reflect with the head priest)

Arrive at Nipponia Chichibu Shrine Town, your accommodations

Built over a century ago, Nipponia Chichibu Shrine Town is a traditional folk-house hotel complex based in the town around Chichibu Jinja, a Shinto shrine that has stood for over two millennia. The complex consists of two renovated buildings: a former store from the Meiji era (1868–1912) and a traditional folk house attached to an old tobacco shop with the quaint charm of the Taisho era (1912–1926). Every room comes with a Japanese cypress bath. The complex also features a restaurant where you can enjoy a dinner that pairs together local food and sake.

Day Two

Depart from your accommodationsEnjoy workshops at Yokozan Kannonji, the 21st temple of the Chichibu circuit

On your pilgrimage to Kannonji, you’ll head down mountain paths with nature all around as well as unadorned city streets, allowing you to enjoy mindful moments amid beautiful landscapes that change with the seasons. Once you arrive, you can experience seated Zen meditation and the Japanese tea ceremony, as well as connect with local residents through workshops where you can make soba noodles and local dishes, making for a popular sightseeing attraction for inbound tourists.

Experience seated Zen meditation
Experience the Japanese tea ceremony (including etiquette and the philosophy of living in the moment)
Experience making soba noodles and local dishes and interact with residents

Tour the Sakezukuri no Mori Chichibu Nishiki brewery

This tourist-friendly brewery gives tours of the facilities behind its famous Chichibu Nishiki brand of sake and offers samples, too. Since 1749, the brewery has spent over 270 years crafting sake by hand the old-fashioned way, sustained by the pure waters of the Arakawa River System and the Chichibu Basin’s characteristically cold climate. Besides being both a brewery and museum, it showcases local products, allowing you to learn, drink, and shop all in one place.

Have local cuisine and sake for dinner at Nipponia Chichibu Shrine TownArrive at your accommodations

Day Three

Tour temples on a bicycle, visit roadside stations, and sample Chichibu sweetsReflect with the head priest and residents, then part ways

Access

From Tokyo Station to Chichibu Station by train (2 hours)
From Ikebukuro Station to Seibu-Chichibu Station by train (1 hour and 20 minutes)
From Haneda Airport to Chichibu Station by car (2 hours 30 minutes)

Contact

Chichibu Area Tourism Organization

Telephone Number :

+81 (0)494-26-6260
Telephone Languages :

Japanese
URL :

https://www.chichibu-omotenashi.com/en/
Email :

https://www.chichibu-omotenashi.com/mail-form/
Email Languages :

Japanese

Recommended Accommodation

NIPPONIA Chichibu Shrine Town

Stay in one of eight beautifully renovated Tangible Cultural Properties near Chichibu Shrine and immerse yourself in Japanese culture and lush nature. Located in a quiet spot, all rooms feature luxurious Japanese cypress baths. Savor creative cuisine made with carefully selected local ingredients, served at the onsite restaurant open to both guests and non-guests.

Address :

MARUJU Building (Reception Building) 17-5 Miyakawa-cho, Chichibu-shi, Saitama, KOIKE and MIYATANI Buildings 17-10 Banba-machi Chichibu-shi, Saitama
Telephone Number :

+(0) 494-53-9230
Telephone Languages :

Japanese, English
Access :

10-minute walk from Chichibu and Seibu-Chichibu Station for both the MARUJU Building (Reception Building), and KOIKE and MIYATANI Buildings
Check-in :

From 3:00 p.m.
Check-out :

11:00 a.m.
Rates :

From ¥22,700 per person per night with 2 meals
Accepted Credit Cards :

VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB
Bedroom :

Each room is lockable, Western beds
Bathroom :

Bathtub in each room, available from check-in until check-out
Toilet :

Western style
Meals :

Dinner, Breakfast
Wi-Fi :

Available

Website URL (Japanese Only) :

https://nipponia-chichibu.jp/
Reservation Website URL :

https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/nipponia-zhi-fu-men-qian-ting.html?lang=en-us

Recommended Accommodation

Miyamotoke

Experience staying at this 200-year-old farmhouse renovated into a traditional Japanese hot spring inn, run by a former sumo wrestler. Choose from seven different Japan-themed rooms, including the ‘Sumo Wrestler's Room’ and the ‘Warrior's Room’. Enjoy four types of hot spring baths, such as sumo wrestler baths and large kiln baths. For dinner, indulge in Satoyama Irori cuisine around a sunken hearth, featuring dishes like chanko-nabe hot pot and grilled skewers made with vegetables from the inn’s own farm.

Address :

510 Nagaru, Ogano-cho, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Telephone Number :

+81 (0)494-75-4060
Telephone Languages :

Japanese
Access :

25-minute drive from Chichibu Station and Seibu-Chichibu Station
Check-in :

From 2:00 p.m.
Check-out :

10:00 a.m.
Rates :

From ¥24,000 per person per night with 2 meals
Accepted Credit Cards :

VISA/Mastercard/MEX/JCB
Bedroom :

Each room is lockable, Japanese futons
Bathroom :

6 rooms with bath, 2 rooms without bath, 4 private baths available
Toilet :

Western style
Meals :

Dinner, Breakfast
Wi-Fi :

Available

Website URL :

https://www.miyamotoke.jp/
Reservation Website URL (Japanese Only) :

https://www.jhpds.net/miyamotoke/uw/uwp3100/uww3101.do?yadNo=353710

Recommended Restaurant

cucina salve

Savor Italian cuisine made from local ingredients at this fusion restaurant. The chef creates delectable dishes using more than 150 varieties of barley, soybeans, and other grains, along with vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms grown on the restaurant’s own organic farm. The restaurant also maintains a poultry farm with 200 chickens, producing their own chicken meat, eggs, and other products using vegetable scraps as feed. The evening menu features Chef Hiroshi Tsubouchi's Omakase Course, starting at ¥8,800 yen and varying by season.

Address :

17-14 Banba-machi, Chichibu-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Telephone Number :

+81 (0)494-22-6227
Telephone Languages :

Japanese
Access :

8-minute walk from Chichibu Station, 9-minute walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station
Opening Hours :

6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. (Lunch: open only on Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.)
Closed :

Wednesday, Thursday (irregular holidays, check the website)
Cuisine :

Italian
Foreign Language Menu :

Not available
Accepted Credit Cards :

VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB

Website URL :

https://www.byfood.com/restaurant/cucina-salve-1657
Reservation Website URL :

https://www.byfood.com/restaurant/cucina-salve-1657
Reservations :

Reservations required. Call or email (info@salvagest.jp)

Recommended Restaurant

Chichibu Shinsekai

Discover this 100-year-old restaurant renowned for its Chichibu specialty, ‘Pork Miso Donburi’. Enjoy perfectly grilled pork marinated in miso, served over fluffy white rice. The tender, flavorful meat pairs pairing equisitely with the moreish rice, creating a delightful culinary experience.

Address :

4-1 Motomachi, Chichibu-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Telephone Number :

+81 (0)494-26-5257
Telephone Languages :

Japanese
Access :

10-minute walk from Chichibu Station, 12-minute walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station
Opening Hours :

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. (open only for take-out) Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays 11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Closed :

Tuesday
Cuisine :

Japanese cuisine
Foreign Language Menu :

Not available
Accepted Credit Cards :

VISA/Mastercard/AMEX

Website URL (Japanese Only) :

https://www.sekaishoji.com/?mode=f3

Recommended Experience

Rhine Cruise The Nagatoro River

Enjoy a traditional boat ride down the Arakawa River, where you’ll marvel at the dynamic scenery of rugged rock faces and feel the meandering, undulating current as the boatmen skillfully steer with traditional poles. Choose from two courses, each approximately 3 km long and offering a memorable 15 to 20-minute journey.

Address :

Nagatoro, Nagatoro-cho, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Telephone Number :

+81 (0)494-66-0950
Telephone Languages :

Japanese
Access :

1-minute walk from Nagatoro Station
Duration :

9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. *Varies by season. Operation may be suspended due to rainfall, so please inquire.
Fee :

From ¥2,000 per person
Languages Supported :

Japanese
Accepted Credit Cards :

VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB

Website URL :

https://www.chichibu-railway.co.jp/en/nagatoro.html#topics1
Reservations :

Apply at the store onsite; phone reservations not accepted

Recommended Experience

Komatsuzawa Leisure Farm Strawberry Picking

Visit a sightseeing farm offering seasonal activities, including strawberry, grape, and shiitake mushroom picking, as well as barbecues and sweet potato digging. From December to June, during enjoy all-you-can-eat strawberry picking for 30 minutes, featuring 3 varieties. Enhance your experience with a set meal plan that includes a barbecue and a soba or udon noodle making experience.