[Saitama, Chichibu / Nagatoro] A thorough explanation of the local railway "Chichibu Railway"! We will introduce how to ride and a discount ticket that allows you to get on and off multiple times.

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The Chichibu Railway is a local line that runs 71.7 kilometers across northern Saitama Prefecture from east to west. You can travel through areas rich in nature that you would never expect to find in the metropolitan area. In this article, we will explain the recommended tickets to use when riding the Chichibu Railway and how to ride the local line.

Written by

Chichibu Railway Co., Ltd.

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".

Chichibu Railway Official Website

Table of Contents
What area does the Chichibu Railway run in?
Not just a railway! Chichibu Railway also operates steam locomotives and river boat rides
[Ride Guide] Let's ride the Chichibu Railway
[Discount Ticket Information] If you plan to get on and off the Chichibu Railway Line multiple times in one day, use the "Free Ticket"
[Spot Guide] Use the Chichibu Railway to go to these spots

What area does the Chichibu Railway run in?

The Chichibu Railway is a local line located in northwest Saitama Prefecture, next to Tokyo. The Chichibu Railway line passes through Kumagaya City, where an international rugby match was held, Fukaya City, where an outlet mall is located, and Nagatoro Town and Chichibu City, which are representative tourist destinations in Saitama Prefecture.

The Chichibu Railway provides fast and convenient transportation to these areas. The areas along the line are rich in Japanese countryside and nature. When you ride the Chichibu Railway, you can see the beautiful scenery of Japan from the train window.

Not just a railway! Chichibu Railway also operates steam locomotives and river boat rides

Chichibu Railway does more than just operate trains. It also operates Saitama Prefecture's only steam locomotive, the SL Paleo Express, and the river boat activity, the Nagatoro Line Rafting.

In addition, we operate the Hodo Mountain Ropeway, a restaurant serving local cuisine from the Chichibu region, and a souvenir shop in front of Nagatoro Station.

The closest steam locomotive to Tokyo: SL Paleo Express

The steam locomotive "SL Paleo Express", which has been in operation since 1988, is a tourist train that represents the Chichibu region.

It's popular with people of all ages because they get to smell the smoke, hear the whistle, and experience the loud noise of the train as it moves along the rails - experiences that you just can't get on a modern train.

Advance reservations are required for seats on the SL Paleo Express. For details, please see the link below.

About the SL Paleo Express

Nagatoro Line Rafting: A 100-Year-Old River Rafting Activity

The highlight of sightseeing in Nagatoro is river boating. River boating is an activity that is also part of Japanese culture. Chichibu Railway has been running the "Nagatoro Rhine Boating" for over 100 years.

Rhine Cruise The Nagatoro River

489-2 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture

Rhine Cruise the Nagatoro River is a river boating activity that Nagatoro's tourism and leisure activities. It started in 1915, and since 1923 has been directly operated by the Chichibu Railway. Rhine Cruise the Nagatoro River involves a traditional Japanese boat boating down the river, which is a designated national Scenic Spot and Natural Monument, Nagatoro. You can board a Japanese boat steered by a skilled boatman and enjoy the magnificent riverside scenery that changes with the seasons as you go down the river. You can also experience thrills at the rapids. The experience of going down the river and viewing the valley during the autumn foliage season is particularly exceptional.

Nagatoro Line Boat Cruise Official Homepage

[Ride Guide] Let's ride the Chichibu Railway

There are two ways to ride the Chichibu Railway: by purchasing a ticket or by using a transportation IC card.

How to use the ticket vending machine

1. Check the fare table to see the fare to your destination.

2. Please insert your money.

3. Press the button for the ticket you want to purchase.

4. Your ticket will be issued.

5. Your change will be returned.

Purchase a ticket from the automatic ticket machine and board the Chichibu Railway

1. Purchase a ticket from the automatic ticket machine.

2. Go through the ticket gate and show your ticket to the station staff.

3. Head to the platform.

4. Take the train.

5. After getting off the train, go through the ticket gate and place your used ticket in the box.

Use a transportation IC card to ride the Chichibu Railway

You can use a transportation IC card to ride the Chichibu Railway. Please check the remaining balance on your transportation IC card before boarding.
*Some Chichibu Railway stations have installed charging machines for transportation IC cards. If you have insufficient funds left on your transportation IC card, please use the charging machine. Please note that only cash can be used at the charging machine.

1. Touch your transportation IC card on the ticket gate.

2. Head to the platform.

3. Take the train.

4. After getting off the train, touch your transportation IC card to the ticket gate.

[Discount Ticket Information] If you plan to get on and off the Chichibu Railway Line multiple times in one day, use the "Free Ticket"

If you plan to get on and off the Chichibu Railway Line multiple times in one day, we recommend the Chichibu Railway Yuyuyu Free Ticket.

This ticket can be purchased from your smartphone using the MaaS mobile app "EMot" or the website "EMot Online Tickets." *Credit card information must be entered.

Price: 1,700 yen (tax included) for adults, 500 yen (tax included) for children
Purchase date: Can be purchased from one month before the date of use Validity period: Only on the day of use This ticket can be used all year round.

*If you use the SL Paleo Express or express trains, an additional fee will be charged.

Ride the Chichibu Railway with the "Chichibu Road Yuyuyu Free Ticket"

The Chichibu Road Yuyuyu Free Ticket is a digital ticket that can be used on your own smartphone.

1. Before boarding the Chichibu Railway, purchase a "Chichibu Road Yuyuyu Free Ticket" on your smartphone using the MaaS mobile app "EMot" or the website "EMot Online Tickets."

2. Go through the ticket gate and show the station attendant your smartphone with the ticket screen open.

3. Head to the platform.

4. Take the train.

5. After getting off the train, go through the ticket gate and show the station attendant your smartphone with the ticket screen open.

[Spot Guide] Use the Chichibu Railway to go to these spots

Along the Chichibu Railway line, there are places where you can enjoy shopping, historical buildings, and abundant nature. The Chichibu Railway stations are located close to the mountains, so it is also attractive for its easy access for hiking.

To visit this spot, use the Chichibu Railway.

Hanyu Station

Saitama Aquarium Instagram

Gyoda City Station

About the Oshi Castle Ruins (Official website of Gyoda City Tourism in Saitama Prefecture)

Gyoda Flower Water Purification Week Official Website

Kumagaya Station

About Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi (Kumagaya City Official Website)

Fukaya Hanazono Station

Fukaya Hanazono Premium Outlets Official Website

Yorii Station

Hachigata Castle Ruins (Yorii Town Official Homepage)

Nagatoro Station

Escape Tokyo: Discover Nagatoro’s Beauty Through Scenic Gorge, River Cruises, Ropeway and More
Saitama

Chichibu / Nagatoro

Chichibu

Station

[2024 Autumn] 90 Minutes from Tokyo: A Cozy 2-Day, 1-Night Fall Getaway to the Beautiful Autumn Colors of Chichibu & Nagatoro
Saitama

Chichibu / Nagatoro

Onohata Station

Seibu Chichibu Station

368-0033 1-16 Nosakacho, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture

This is a station on the Seibu Railway Seibu Chichibu Line in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture.

Mitakeguchi Station

Mitsumine Shrine

369-1902 298-1 Mitake, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture

This shrine is located in Mitake, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, and is one of the three Chichibu shrines, along with Chichibu Shrine and Hodosan Shrine. It has a long history, dating back to when Emperor Keikō ordered Yamato Takeru, who was sent to pacify the eastern provinces, traveled from Kai Province (Yamanashi) through Kozuke Province (Gunma) to Usui Pass. On his way there, he climbed Mount Mitake and saw the pure and beautiful mountains and rivers. There, he enshrined Izanagi and Izanami, the gods who gave birth to the country.

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The Chichibu Railway is a local line that lets you experience the Japanese countryside. Enjoy the Japanese scenery from the train window on a day trip from Tokyo.

*Please check the latest information on the Chichibu Railway official website before heading out.

Chichibu Railway Official Website

Written by

Chichibu Railway Co., Ltd.

Saitama

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