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2024 Autumn: Top 7 Fall Foliage Spots Near Tokyo – Forecasts, Illuminations, and More
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The autumn leaves in Nagatoro usually begin to change color in late October and reach their peak in mid-November. On the opposite bank of the Arakawa River from the Iwadatami rocks, the trees around the rocks turn a brilliant color, and you can enjoy the autumn leaves reflected on the water's surfac...
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Chichibu Railway is a local private railway that boasts a total length of 71.7 km that crosses northern Saitama Prefecture from east to west. The line is dotted with tourist spots such as Chichibu, Nagatoro, Yorii, Fukaya, Gyoda, and Hanyu, and is a line that allows you to travel through areas rich in nature. You can enjoy seasonal scenery such as rural landscapes and the valleys along the Arakawa River. Various tourist businesses are also operated along the line, such as the steam locomotive "SL Paleo Express" which is the closest to the city center and the "Nagatoro Line Kudari".
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Table of Contents
- What is Nagatoro? Exploring Autumn Foliage in Nagatoro
- 1. Moon Stone Maple Park: The Premier Destination for Spectacular Autumn Foliage
- 2. Saitama Museum of Natural History: Uniting the Maples of Saitama (Maple Forest)
- 3. Hodosan Shrine: One of the Three Renowned Shrines of Chichibu
- 4. Nagatoro Iwadatami: Visit at 3 PM for the Ultimate Scenic Experience of This Natural Monument
- 5. Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club: A Place to Capture Stunning Photos
- 6. Hodosan Ropeway: Enjoy the Romantic Atmosphere of the Sunset
- 7. Arawaka Bridge of Chichibu Railway: The Stunning Collaboration of Autumn Foliage and Bridge Views
- Things to check before visiting Nagatoro
What is Nagatoro? Exploring Autumn Foliage in Nagatoro
Nagatoro Town is located in the northwest of Saitama Prefecture, and is a tourist destination rich in nature that can be accessed from Tokyo in about two hours. The entire town is designated as Saitama Prefectural Nagatoro Tamayodo Natural Park, and is surrounded by beautiful nature such as the valley along the Arakawa River that runs through the center of the park. It has been a popular tourist destination since the Meiji era, and is visited by 3 million tourists every year.
You can enjoy flowers and scenery of every season, with cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and plum blossoms and wintersweet in winter.
Not only can you enjoy nature, but there are also plenty of outdoor activities such as river boating and rafting, making this a spot you can enjoy all year round.
A particularly popular season in Nagatoro Town is the autumn foliage season. The leaves usually start to change color in late October and reach their peak in mid-November. During this period, many tourists visit Nagatoro Town to enjoy the autumn leaves. In this article, we will introduce recommended spots to see the autumn leaves and information on illuminations.
1. Moon Stone Maple Park: The Premier Destination for Spectacular Autumn Foliage
At Moon Stone Maple Park (Tsuki no Ishi Momiji Park), about 50 maple trees are lit up in November when the autumn leaves are at their best. The park is bustling with many tourists, including camera enthusiasts.
The view of the maple trees lit up in the evening completely changes the atmosphere from daytime, creating a tasteful scene. The area is decorated with "bamboo lights" (bamboo lighting fixtures) and maple lanterns made by local people in Nagatoro Town. You can enjoy a variety of views no matter where you take a photo.
Best time to see autumn leaves: Mid-November to late November
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💡Light -up Information💡
Date: November 8th (Friday) to November 24th (Sunday), 2024
Time: 4pm to 9pm
Admission fee: 300 yen for adults (junior high school students and above)
Access: 5 minutes from Kami-Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway, 15 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway
Parking: Paid parking available (500 yen per car)
For inquiries, please contact the Nagatoro Town Tourism Association (TEL: 0494-66-3311)
*The illumination dates may change depending on the color of the leaves.
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2. Saitama Museum of Natural History: Uniting the Maples of Saitama (Maple Forest)
Saitama Prefecture is home to a diverse range of 21 types of maples. You can see many different types of maples at the Saitama Prefectural Museum of Natural History, "Maple Forest." Maple leaves vary in shape and color depending on the species. Let's take a look at the differences between them.
At the same time as Moon Stone Maple Park, the Saitama Prefectural Museum of Natural History also holds an illumination event to show off the autumn leaves every year. Admission is free for the event, therefore you can enjoy the wide variety of autumn maple leaves.
Best time to see autumn leaves: Early November to late November *Varies depending on the type
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💡 Light-up information 💡
Date: November 8th (Friday) to November 24th (Sunday), 2024
Time: 5pm to 9pm
Admission: Free *Admission fee applies to visit the museum.
Access: 5-minute walk from Kami-Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway, 15-minute walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway.
Parking: The museum closes at 4:30 p.m. and the museum parking lot is also closed. If you come by car, please use the nearby paid parking lot.
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3. Hodosan Shrine: One of the Three Renowned Shrines of Chichibu
Located at the foot of the mountain of Nagatoro, Hodosan Shrine is a power spot where history and nature coexist in harmony. During the autumn foliage season, the approach to the shrine and the grounds are painted in a variety of colors. At night, the shrine is lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere. In particular, the view of the autumn leaves reflected in the shrine's pond draws visitors into a mystical space.
Enjoy the fantastic scenery at night along with the vibrant autumn leaves during the day. We will also be lighting up the "takeakari" (bamboo lighting fixtures) made by the volunteer group "716MAKERS" in Nagatoro and local children. These "takeakari" are made from bamboo from the abandoned bamboo forest in Nagatoro Town. This is one spot you'll want to stop by when you visit Nagatoro.
Best time to see autumn leaves: Mid-November to late November
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💡 Light-up information 💡
Date: November 2nd (Sat) to 24th (Sun) 2024
Time: 5pm to 9pm
Access: 15 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway
Parking: Parking available for visitors
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4. Nagatoro Iwadatami: Visit at 3 PM for the Ultimate Scenic Experience of This Natural Monument
Iwadatami is a tourist destination known for its uniquely shaped rocks that line the valley of the Arakawa River. In the autumn foliage season, the trees on the opposite bank of the rocks turn red, creating a beautiful scene that is truly worthy of being called a spectacular sight. You can feel the beauty of nature's creation.
The best time to enjoy the autumn leaves around the rock formations is around 3pm. Enjoy the view of the 600m long monolith and the autumn leaves on the opposite bank, illuminated by the orange rays of the setting sun. You can also enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves at other times of the day.
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Nagatoro Iwadatami (The rock formations of Nagatoro, a scenic spot and natural monument)
Location: Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Admission fee: Free
Access: 5 minutes walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway
Parking: Please use the paid parking lot nearby.
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At Nagatoro, a scenic spot and natural monument, you can not only stroll along the rocks, but also enjoy a trip down the river. Board a Japanese-style boat handcrafted by a boatman and take a 20-minute boat trip. This Japanese-style boat travels down the river solely by the boatman's steering skills. In autumn, the Japanese-style boat moves slowly with the current of the river, allowing you to enjoy the autumn leaves in the valley.
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5. Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club: A Place to Capture Stunning Photos
Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club is an indoor facility that can be enjoyed in any weather. Various trick art (artworks that use optical illusions) such as ninjas and dinosaurs are on display, and you can take impressive photos. Everyone will be fascinated by the mysterious world created by the optical illusions. It can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
In addition, there is a Japanese garden and a detached Japanese-style room adjacent to the Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club. This garden features a pond with Nishikigoi and goldfish swimming in it, as well as maple trees, allowing you to enjoy a uniquely Japanese landscape. This is a must-visit spot for those who want to relax and enjoy the autumn scenery.
In particular, the garden will be lit up at night in November 2024, creating a fantastic and romantic atmosphere. Don't miss this opportunity to visit.
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💡 Light-up information 💡
Date: November 1st (Friday) to November 30th (Saturday), 2024
Time: 4pm to 9pm
Admission fee: 1,000 yen for adults, 700 yen for junior and senior high school students, 500 yen for children
Access: 10 minutes walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway
Parking: Parking available
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6. Hodosan Ropeway: Enjoy the Romantic Atmosphere of the Sunset
The Hodosan Ropeway is a great spot to get a panoramic view of Nagatoro's nature. During the autumn foliage season, the view from the summit is beautiful and many tourists visit. While riding the gondola, you can see the mountain ranges of the Chichibu region.
In addition, we are offering a "Sunset Viewing Gondola" only in autumn season. The ropeway's operating hours will be delayed so that you can enjoy the beautiful scenery from Mt. Hodo at sunset. The view from the summit at autumn dusk is especially beautiful, with the autumn leaves and the light of the setting sun coloring the mountains.
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🌇Hodosan Ropeway Sunset Viewing Gondola🌇
Date: October 21st (Monday) to November 30th (Saturday) 2024
Time: 3:00pm to 5:00pm *Times may vary depending on the time of sunset.
Round trip fare: 1200 yen for adults, 600 yen for children
Access: 20 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway
Parking: Paid parking available (500 yen per regular car)
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7. Arawaka Bridge of Chichibu Railway: The Stunning Collaboration of Autumn Foliage and Bridge Views
Arakawa Bridge is a tourist spot representing Nagatoro, and the view from the bridge over the valley is spectacular, attracting many visitors. If you time it right, you can enjoy the steam locomotive (tourist train) "SL Paleo Express" running on the Chichibu Railway and the autumn leaves in the valley at the same time.
Riding the train or the SL Paleo Express and admiring the autumn leaves from the window is also a way to enjoy the journey.
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Things to check before visiting Nagatoro
＜Clothings＞
・Nagatoro Town experiences large changes in weather in November every year. The temperature is completely different between early and late November. If you are visiting Nagatoro during the autumn foliage season, we recommend that you bring an outer layer that is easy to put on and take off.
・The ground at Tsuki no Ishi Momiji Park is made of dirt, so it may get muddy when it rains. There are places where rocks protrude from the ground, so we recommend wearing sneakers or other comfortable shoes.
＜Payments＞
・Some restaurants and souvenir shops in Nagatoro Town accept electronic payments, but many still require cash. We recommend that you bring as much cash as possible.
・If you need to use an ATM, the closest ATM to Nagatoro Station is the Seven-Eleven Nagatoro Iwadatami branch.
＜Others＞
・If you need tourist information or have any questions about Nagatoro Town, please stop by the Nagatoro Town Tourist Information Center in front of Nagatoro Station. (Business Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm)
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The areas introduced this time are closest to Chichibu Railway's Nagatoro Station and Kami-Nagatoro Station. If you are traveling to the Chichibu and Nagatoro areas, please use the Chichibu Railway.
Chichibu Railway is a local private railway that boasts a total length of 71.7 km that crosses northern Saitama Prefecture from east to west. The line is dotted with tourist spots such as Chichibu, Nagatoro, Yorii, Fukaya, Gyoda, and Hanyu, and is a line that allows you to travel through areas rich in nature. You can enjoy seasonal scenery such as rural landscapes and the valleys along the Arakawa River. Various tourist businesses are also operated along the line, such as the steam locomotive "SL Paleo Express" which is the closest to the city center and the "Nagatoro Line Kudari".
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