Chichibu, Saitama: Take a Train Trip! See the Moss Phlox at Hitsujiyama Park and More!

When spring comes, Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu, Saitama, lights up with flowers of Moss Phlox in white, pink, and pale blue. It's a beautiful spot to walk around and enjoy the colorful flowers and the clear blue sky. Right near Hitsujiyama Park, there's the old Chichibu Shrine, the charming downtown streets of Chichibu, and plenty of restaurants to grab a great meal.

This article will show you how to spend a perfect spring day in Chichibu with the SEIBU 1Day Pass, which is a great deal for travelers.

1. What is the SEIBU 1Day Pass?

- One-day unlimited ride ticket on the Seibu Line for foreign visitors to Japan. *A non-Japanese passport or residence card must be presented at the time of purchase.

- One ticket allows unlimited travel on all Seibu Railway lines (except the Tamagawa Line). *Only valid on the day of use.

  - Price: Adults 1,000 yen, Children 500 yen (tax included) *An additional fare is required when riding on limited express trains.  

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.  

How to Purchase

Several options are available for purchasing the SEIBU 1Day Pass. *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 the Seibu Railway official website and exchange it for a physical ticket at the 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, hard tickets can be purchased at GTN inside Haneda Airport Garden.  

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

To learn more about how to get to the GTN Haneda Airport Garden Store, please see the following article.

2. About Shibazakura Hill in Hitsujiyama Park

Shibazakura Hill, or Moss Phlox Hill, at Hitsujiyama Park is well-known for its stunning display of seasonal moss phlox. In the spring, the hill bursts into color with moss phlox that captivate everyone who sees them. The best time to visit is from mid-April to early May when the flowers are in full bloom, offering breathtaking views and perfect photo opportunities. It’s a great place to relax and soak in the natural beauty and peaceful surroundings.

Basic Information

 - Address: 6360 Omiya, Chichibu-shi, Saitama 368-0023
 - Best time to see moss phlox: Mid-April to early May
 - Admission fee: 300 yen  

3. Tour Itinerary