[Nagatoro, Saitama] Discover Winter Blooms: Experience the Enchanting Aroma of Wintersweet with the 'SEIBU 1Day Pass + Nagatoro'

• Table of Contents
• 1. What is Roubai?
• 2. The Flower Language and Naming of Roubai
• 3. Flowering Season of Roubai
• 4. Recommended Spot: Nagatoro Hodosan Roubai Garden
• 5. ★Useful Information★ About SEIBU 1Day Pass + Nagatoro

1. What is Roubai?

Wintersweet is a pretty yellow flower that blooms during the cold winter months, from December to February. It is said that the name 'Roubai' comes from the Kanji characters for 'Rou' (蝋), meaning wax, and 'Bai' (梅), meaning plum blossom, reflecting its wax-like translucent texture and its resemblance to plum blossoms.

Moreover, you can enjoy not only its beautiful appearance but also its elegant aroma, and it is also included in the four major fragrant trees. Among the fragrant trees that can be enjoyed in each season are Jinchoge (Winter daphne) in spring, Kuchinashi (Gardenia) in summer, Kinmokusei (Fragrant olive) in autumn, and Roubai (Wintersweet) in winter.

In Japanese culture, it is a symbol of winter and is popular as its presence brings brightness and hope during the cold season. In addition, the beautiful appearance and the rich aroma of the flowers are admired as a winter feature.

Photo by photoAC

2. The Flower Language and Naming of Roubai

In the flower language, Roubai symbolizes 'compassion,' 'elegance,' 'leadership,' and 'foresight.' This is due to the fact that it blooms earlier in the winter than other flowers. With its gentle scent and appearance that leads us through the winter without succumbing to the harsh cold, it is valued as a flower that exudes compassion and grace.

Photo by photoAC

3. Flowering Season of Roubai

Roubai is a winter flower that generally blooms from December to February. However, the blooming period varies depending on the region and climate. The best time to see them is from late December to late February, and sometimes into early March.

Photo by photoAC

4. Recommended Spot: Nagatoro Hodosan Roubai Garden

If you want to enjoy viewing Roubai flowers, we recommend the Roubai Garden located at Hodosan that spreads across Chichibu and Nagatoro in Saitama Prefecture.

The Roubai Garden, which spreads out on the summit of Hodosan, is a place where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and blooming flowers year-round. In the winter, the landscape is transformed when about 3,000 Roubai trees envelop the area in a rich sweet fragrance. It's a perfect place to reconnect with nature and find peace of mind.

Photo by photoAC

Basic Information

How to Get There

There are many ways to reach the Nagatoro Hodosan Roubai Garden, but let's focus on a convenient option: the SEIBU 1 Day Pass + Nagatoro (*). This ticket allows unlimited rides on all Seibu lines (except Tamagawa Line) and designated sections of the Chichibu Railway, making it easily accessible from major terminal stations in Tokyo such as Ikebukuro and Shinjuku.
*Please note that this pass is exclusively available to foreign nationals; you must present a non-Japanese passport or residence card when purchasing the ticket.

The Nagatoro Hodosan Roubai Garden is located at the top of Hodosan, and while some people opt for a hiking adventure from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway, this article will provide a brief guide on reaching the garden via the Hodosan Ropeway.

Photo by photoAC

From Ikebukuro or Shinjuku you can use SEIBU 1Day Pass + Nagatoro along with a limited express train (additional fee required).In about 2.5 hours,you will arrive at Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway. From there, walk for about 20 minutes up to the Sanroku Station of the Hodosan Ropeway. Switch to the ropeway and arrive at the summit station in about 5 minutes. From there, walk for about 2 minutes to the Nagatoro Hodosan Roubai Garden.

5. ★Useful Information★ About SEIBU 1Day Pass + Nagatoro

● Unlimited one-day ticket exclusively for foreigners valid on Seibu Line and designated sections of Chichibu Railway
*A non-Japanese passport or residence card must be presented at the time of purchase.

● One ticket grants unlimited rides for one day on all Seibu Lines (except the Tamagawa Line) and Chichibu Railway between Mitsumineguchi Station and Nogami Station.
*Only valid on the day of use.

● Price: Adults 1,500 yen, Children 750 yen (tax included)
*An additional fare is required when riding on limited express trains.

PHOTO CREDIT: SEIBU RAILWAY

How to Purchase

Several options are available for purchasing SEIBU 1Day Pass + Nagatoro.
*Please be aware that the purchasing methods differ before and after your arrival in Japan.

Purchasing Before Your Arrival in Japan

You can reserve a ticket via Seibu Railway's official website and exchange it for a physical ticket at the Seibu Tourist Information Center in Ikebukuro. 

For detailed instructions on how to purchase, click here.

Purchasing After Your Arrival in Japan

You can buy a magnetic ticket or a hard ticket at designated sales locations.
*Please note that the types of tickets available may vary by location.

Sales Locations for Purchasing a Magnetic Ticket:
(1) Seibu Tourist Information Center Ikebukuro (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
(2) Ikebukuro Station Express Ticket Counter
- 1F: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Underground: Weekdays 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Weekends and Holidays 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
(3) Seibu Shinjuku Station Express Ticket Counter (7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

Sales Locations for Purchasing a Hard Ticket:
For those arriving at Haneda Airport, tickets can be purchased at GTN Haneda Airport Garden Store.

▼Contact Information for GTN Haneda Airport Garden Store▼
- Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Phone: 03-6822-3033
*Please visit the Haneda Airport Garden website for updated information on any changes to business hours, temporary closures, or other modifications.

To know more about how to reach GTN Haneda Airport Garden Store, see the article below.

Notes

- Magnetic tickets: These tickets are only valid on the day of purchase.
If you are at a station with automatic ticket gates, simply pass through the automatic gate to use your ticket.

- Paper ticket: It is valid for one day within the indicated validity period on the back of the ticket.
To use it, simply show the ticket to the staff at the ticket gate or open counter when entering or exiting the station.

Why not take advantage of Seibu Railway's special ticket, the SEIBU 1 Day Pass + Nagatoro to visit Roubai Garden for winter flower viewing?
The Chichibu area boasts numerous seasonal sightseeing spots and events, so why not make the most of Seibu Railway's fantastic one-day pass to explore these diverse attractions?

Click here for details of Seibu Railway's ticket deals

We regularly post recommendations about places to visit and culinary delights on GTN Haneda Airport Garden Store's Instagram page, so don’t forget to check it out!

GTN Haneda Airport Garden Instagram

Great deals on Data SIM, eSIM, and SIM cards with phone numbers are also available!

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