Countryside Stay JapanCountryside Stay Japan
Revel in the rural delights of a Japanese agricultural-heritage site just one hour from central Tokyo

Namegawa Town, Saitama Prefecture

Local stories

Among the vales of the Hiki Hills, you’ll find a great number of “yatsu,” miniature valleys that fan out like fingers. Since drawing water from rivers proved difficult due to the hilly terrain, people in the past dammed up the far ends of these yatsu to construct “yatsunuma,” irrigation ponds for storing and using rainwater. They also created fields here called “yatsuda” for growing rice. Area-wise, these yatsuda account for 71% of the farmable land in Namegawa. As local farmers age, caring for the yatsunuma ponds properly so that Tokyo bitterlings—fish designated Natural Monuments of Japan—can continue to thrive there and so that the ecosystem remains in balance will become an increasingly pressing issue. To help address this, the community is highlighting the value of agricultural products born from the yatsunuma agricultural system as well as serving dishes featuring yatsuda rice, which is known for its high taste scores, and other local produce. After visiting a local shrine that has long honored these ponds as an important water resource, enjoy the Naoraizen set meal at a restaurant that overlooks them. Then hike to the top of Mt. Ninomiya, a symbol of faith within the community, and experience an outdoor nodate tea ceremony that represents one aspect of Japanese culture. After observing the Japanese Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage System (JNIAHS) that stretches out below you, explore near the yatsuda fields and yatsunuma ponds and immerse yourself in their beauty.

Local culinary delights

The meat, vegetables, and rice here are all from local brands. At a farmhouse restaurant, enjoy the Naoraizen set meal for lunch, which features Namegawa-grown, additive-free vegetables picked that very morning. For dinner, treat yourself to a buffet at Amanogawa, a restaurant known for its creative Japanese-Western fusion cuisine, featuring dishes highlighting ingredients like Saisai beef—Saitama’s local brand of beef—and fresh fish purchased wholesale from Toyosu in Tokyo. On the second day, enjoy an outdoor BBQ that comes with yatsuda rice.

Recommended model course

A mystical two-day tour of Namegawa in Saitama that explores its rural satoyama ecosystem, agricultural heritage system, and traditional culture

Example itinerary

Namegawa is a town in Saitama rooted in the blessings received from its JNIAHS yatsunuma agricultural system. Spend two precious days here and experience Namegawa’s way of life and culture. This itinerary is packed with activities that showcase Japan’s timeless charm—for example, join a Shinto prayer service and dress up at Ikonohayami Tamahime Jinja, take part in an outdoor nodate tea ceremony atop Mt. Ninomiya, and tour JNIAHS spots like the yatsunuma irrigation ponds.

Schedule

Day One

Meet at the JTB Sunrise Tours Sales Office on the third floor of the Main Tower of Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo in ShinjukuGo from Shinjuku Station to Shinrin-koen Station on the Tobu Tojo Line11:15 a.m. | Tour Ikonohayami Tamahime Jinja

Ikonohayami Tamahime Jinja is a Shinto shrine with a history spanning over a millennium, where rain dances were once performed to help boost rice harvests. Explore this ancient shrine while listening to explanations from the chief priest. Join a mystical prayer service accompanied by drumbeats, then don a traditional Japanese costume once worn ages ago by the nobility on formal occasions and take some photos to commemorate your trip.

Experience a Shinto prayer service and don a costumeNoon | Have the Naoraizen set meal for lunch at the farmhouse restaurant in Ikono Sato

At the farmhouse restaurant in the experiential farming community of Ikono Sato, have the Naoraizen set meal for lunch, which features lots of Namegawa-grown vegetables picked that very morning and prepared without chemical seasonings.It uses ingredients first offered to the Shinto deities and has long been cherished by the community as a sacred feast believed to restore energy to the body. After eating, you can receive a seal stamp to commemorate your visit.

1:00 p.m. | Experience an outdoor nodate tea ceremony atop Mt. Ninomiya in Ikono Sato

After lunch, enjoy hiking up and exploring Mt. Ninomiya, which lies behind the farmhouse restaurant. Then experience performing an outdoor nodate tea ceremony, in which tea is prepared and served to guests beneath the open sky, enjoy your precious bowl of tea, and relax. The observation deck atop Mt. Ninomiya provides a sweeping view of Namegawa below. Gaze out over the satoyama landscape and the rest of this JNIAHS-comprising area and enjoy a refreshing moment of calm.

2:00 p.m. | Tour JNIAHS spots like the yatsunuma irrigation ponds

Sushi and onigiri rice balls are two distinctive examples of Japanese food culture. Get chauffeured around and visit the fields that produce the rice that go into making them as well as the yatsunuma ponds that irrigate said fields. The area’s unique yatsunuma agricultural system relies solely on rainwater and is a certified JNIAHS. Feel free to tell the chauffeur to stop if you want to roam near the ponds.

4:00 p.m. | Arrive at Shinrin-Koen Heritage Resorts, your accommodations

Shinrin-Koen Heritage Resorts is a natural hot spring facility located amid the great outdoors of the Hiki Hills. Relax in a private, mixed-gender open-air bath and let the fatigue of travel melt away. For dinner, treat yourself to a buffet at Amanogawa, an on-site restaurant known for its creative Japanese-Western fusion cuisine. Be sure to try dishes highlighting ingredients like Saisai beef—Saitama’s local brand of beef—and fresh fish purchased wholesale from Toyosu in Tokyo.

Day Two

11:00 a.m. | Depart from your accommodations11:30 a.m. | Visit the Namegawa Farmers’ Market

At this farmers market, you can buy fresh vegetables and local specialties produced in Namegawa or the rest of Saitama. You can take the vegetables you purchase here to the nearby BBQ Paradise, where you can grill them up. Enjoy a BBQ lunch with everyone, featuring lots of freshly harvested vegetables packed with subtle flavors.

Noon | Eat lunch at BBQ Paradise

Grill up some fresh vegetables and meat at BBQ Paradise. Along with ingredients, you’ll be provided with yatsuda rice. Use conventionally discarded rice chaff as fuel for your nuka-kamado stove, an eco-friendly way to cook rice. Fluffy and freshly cooked, the rice is like no other.

2:10 p.m. | Arrive at Shinrin-koen Station and part ways

Access

From Ikebukuro Station to Shinrin-koen Station on the Tobu Tojo Line (1 hour)
From Haneda Airport to Shinrin-koen Station (north exit) on the Tokyo Kuko Kotsu or the Kokusai Juo Kotsu Limousine Bus (Haneda Airport Line) (1 hour and 30–50 minutes)
From Narita Airport to Shinrin-koen Station (north exit) on the Kawagoe Kanko Jidosha Highway Bus (Narita Airport Line) (3 hours)

Recommended Accommodation

Tokinoyu Onsen Heritage Resort

This hotel, located near the Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park, affords a stunning view of a classic Japanese landscape. The resort’s natural hot spring is one of the largest in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and its vegetable garden, called Heritage Farm, covers a wide area. Choose from a variety of room types, including rooms suitable for families and luxury suites. The hotel also offers many kinds of activities, including cultural-heritage events and other community functions.

  • Address :

    228 Oegawa, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama Prefecture

  • Telephone Number :

    +81 (0)48-536-1212

  • Telephone Languages :

    Japanese and English

  • Access :

    16 minutes from Tobu Shinrin-koen Station (north exit) on the Hanazono Kanko Bus bound for Fukaya-Hanazono Premium Outlets (get off at Tokinoyu Onsen Heritage Resort)

  • Check-in :

    3:00 p.m.

  • Check-out :

    11:00 a.m.

  • Rates :

    From ¥9,024 per night with breakfast (per person based on double occupancy)

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB

  • Bedroom :

    Private rooms for up to 4 people each (with lock); beds and futons

  • Bathroom :

    Bathroom available (with lock); bathtub available from check-in to checkout; public baths available

  • Toilet :

    Western style

  • Meals :

    Breakfast (stay plans that include dinner and restaurants that serve lunch are also available)

  • Wi-Fi :

    Available

Recommended Accommodation

Shinrin Hotel

This hotel, located just a one-minute walk from Tobu Shinrin-koen Station, is easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area. The guest rooms, which have a welcoming atmosphere and nature-inspired décor, are equipped with fifty-inch TVs and premium Simmons mattresses. There is also a large public bath, which includes an open-air bath and a sauna. The delicious breakfast buffet of local ingredients and specialties is another standout feature of this hotel.

  • Address :

    2-7-1 Minamino, Namegawa-cho, Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture

  • Telephone Number :

    +81 (0)493-57-0003

  • Telephone Languages :

    Japanese and English

  • Access :

    1-minute walk from Tobu Shinrin-koen Station

  • Check-in :

    3:00 p.m.

  • Check-out :

    10:00 a.m.

  • Rates :

    From ¥8,100 per night with breakfast (per person based on double occupancy)

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB

  • Bedroom :

    Private room for up to 3 people each (with lock); Western beds

  • Bathroom :

    Bathroom available (with lock); bathtub available from check-in to checkout; public baths available

  • Toilet :

    Western style

  • Meals :

    Breakfast (restaurants that serve dinner and lunch are also available)

  • Wi-Fi :

    Available

Recommended Restaurant

Ikonosato Farmer’s Restaurant

This restaurant is located inside Ikonosato, a woodland-experience park overlooking the Hiki Hills. The food is prepared by women who grew up in the local farming community. The restaurant is popular for its healthy dishes, such as udon noodles handmade using locally produced flour and freshly picked vegetables from Namegawa.

  • Address :

    1846-1, Iko, Namegawa-cho, Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture

  • Access :

    15-minute drive from Tobu Shinrin-koen Station

  • Opening Hours :

    11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (varies) *Check Instagram for details
    (https://www.instagram.com/haato_kitchen/)

  • Closed :

    Monday–Friday

  • Cuisine :

    Japanese cuisine

  • Foreign Language Menu :

    Not available

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB

Recommended Restaurant

AMANOGAWA

This dining room with a view is located on the top floor of Tokinoyu Onsen Heritage Resort. The restaurant serves creative and eye-catching cuisine with vegetables from the hotel’s own farm and fresh seafood personally selected by the chef. Dine on exquisite cuisine enjoyed by people from all over the world in this relaxing restaurant.

  • Address :

    Tokinoyu Onsen Heritage Resort, 228 Oegawa, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama Prefecture

  • Telephone Number :

    +81 (0)48-536-1212

  • Telephone Languages :

    Japanese and English

  • Access :

    16 minutes from Tobu Shinrin-koen (north exit) by Hanazono Kanko Bus bound for Fukaya-Hanazono Premium Outlets (get off at Tokinoyu Onsen Heritage Resort)

  • Opening Hours :

    11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5:30–9:00 p.m. (subject to change)

  • Closed :

    Open every day

  • Cuisine :

    Japanese cuisine and creative cuisine

  • Foreign Language Menu :

    Available

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB

Recommended Experience

Japanese Nodate and Tour around the Yatsuda and Yatsunuma Landscapes

Stroll around Naninomiya, the home of the inner precincts of the famed Iko Shrine, and experience nodate, the Japanese culture of drinking tea outside. After the walk, travel by private car to visit picturesque rice paddies and the source of their water, Yatsunuma. The Yatsunuma agricultural system, which uses only natural rainwater, is designated a Japanese Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage System.

  • Meeting place :

    Confirm when making reservation

  • Access :

    60 minutes from Ikebukuro Station to Shinrin-koen Station (the nearest station) on the Tobu Tojo Line; transport from Shinrin-koen Station is available by reservation

  • Duration :

    90 minutes

  • Fee :

    Details provided during consultation

  • Languages Supported :

    Japanese and English (other languages upon request)

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB

Recommended Experience

Prayers at the Ikonohayami Tamahime Shrine, Followed by Naorai at Ikonosato Farmers’ Restaurant

Visit the ancient Ikonohayami Tamahime Shrine to pray, then try your hand at making traditional magatama (comma-shaped ornaments) or at shakyo (copying the sutra). Afterwards, head over to Ikonosato Farmers' Restaurant overlooking the Yatsunuma landscape for naorai, a healthy meal full of freshly picked vegetables. Naorai is a Japanese custom in which participants consume consecrated sake and food after a festival.

  • Meeting Place :

    Tobu Shinrin-koen Station

  • Access :

    60 minutes from Ikebukuro Station on the Tobu Tojo Line

  • Duration :

    90 minutes

  • Fee :

    Details provided during consultation

  • Languages Supported :

    Japanese and English (other languages upon request)

  • Accepted Credit Cards :

    VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/JCB

Movie

View other Regions

Hokkaido

Tohoku

Hokuriku/
Shinshu

Kanto

Tokai

Kansai

Chugoku

Shikoku

Kyushu

Okinawa

Countryside Stay Japan
Top