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

• Table of Contents
• What is Nagatoro? What is its charm?
• Access to Nagatoro Station
• 6 recommended tourist spots:
• Recommended restaurants to accompany your sightseeing in Nagatoro!
• If you come to Nagatoro, take the Chichibu Railway to other areas!

What is Nagatoro? What is its charm?

Nagatoro is located in the northwest of Saitama Prefecture, and is a tourist destination rich in nature, accessible in about two hours from Tokyo. The valley along the Arakawa River is beautiful, and the entire town is designated as Nagatoro Tamayodo Natural Park, which is surrounded by beautiful nature, including the valley along the Arakawa River that flows through the center of the park. It has been a popular tourist destination since the Meiji era, and currently attracts 3 million tourists a year. You can enjoy flowers and scenery in every season, with cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, 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 it a spot that can be enjoyed all year round.

Access to Nagatoro Station

We will introduce three ways to get from Tokyo Station to Nagatoro Station, divided by their characteristics. Find the method that best suits you and use it to get to Nagatoro Station.

(To get to your destination faster and more easily) JR Takasaki Line or Joetsu Shinkansen → Chichibu Railway

From Tokyo Station to Kumagaya Station JR Takasaki Line or Joetsu Shinkansen

From Kumagaya Station to Nagatoro Station Chichibu Railway (towards Mitakeguchi)

Journey time: Approximately 2 hours 16 minutes (1 transfer)

(To get to your destination faster and cheaper) Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line → Tobu Tojo Line → Chichibu Railway

From Tokyo Station to Ikebukuro Station Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line (towards Ikebukuro Station)

From Ikebukuro Station to Ogawamachi Station or Shinrin-koen Station Tobu Tojo Line (towards Ogawamachi Station)

From Ogawamachi Station or Shinrin-koen Station to Yorii Station Tobu Tojo Line (towards Yorii)

From Yorii Station to Nagatoro Station Chichibu Railway (Towards Chichibu and Onohata)

Journey time: Approximately 2 hours 17 minutes (3 transfers)

(To get to your destination cheaper) JR Yamanote Line → Seibu Ikebukuro Line → Chichibu Railway

From Tokyo Station to Ikebukuro Station JR Yamanote Line (towards Ueno and Ikebukuro)

From Ikebukuro Station to Hanno Station Seibu Ikebukuro/Chichibu Line (towards Hanno)

From Hanno Station to Seibu Chichibu Station Seibu Ikebukuro/Chichibu Line (towards Seibu Chichibu)

10 minutes walk from Seibu Chichibu Station to Onohata Station

From Onohata Station to Nagatoro Station Chichibu Railway (towards Kumagaya and Hanyu)

Journey time: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes (3 transfers )

(For those who want to ride a tourist train) Chichibu Railway SL Paleo Express

You can also use the steam locomotive "SL Paleo Express" to get from Kumagaya Station to Nagatoro Station. It runs one round trip per day between Kumagaya Station and Mitakeguchi Station, mainly on weekends and holidays. There is also on-board sales, so it is recommended as you can ride to your destination with a tourist feel.

Why not sit in a retro passenger car and enjoy the picturesque natural scenery from the window? All seats must be reserved in advance, so if you would like to use the service, please make a reservation using the link below.

Chichibu Railway SL reservation system

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SL Paleo Express

For inquiries, please contact the Chichibu Railway Co., Ltd. Passenger Information Section.
TEL: 048-580-6363
*For inquiries regarding group use of the steam locomotive (15 or more people), please contact the Chichibu Railway Steam Locomotive Group Section (048-523-3317).

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6 recommended tourist spots:

1. Nagatoro Iwadatami: a nationally designated scenic spot and natural monument

The symbol of Nagatoro, the Nagatoro Iwadatami Rocks, is located along the Arakawa River, about a 5-minute walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway. It is a rock terrace formed by the erosion of crystalline schist that rose from the bottom of the sea due to large-scale crustal movement. It was named Iwadatami because it looks like a tatami mat laid out in a row. The Iwadatami rocks are a large monolith along the Arakawa River that is about 50m wide and 600m long, and are very rare geologically. In 1924, it was designated a national scenic spot and natural monument. It is also called the "Window to the Earth" because you can see the formation of the earth up close.

Especially during the autumn foliage season, the maple and sawtooth oak trees along the river change color, and can be seen together with the rock formations, so the area is crowded with many tourists every year. The scenery created by the valley and the autumn leaves is overwhelming, and it is a place that brings healing to all who visit.

Between Nagatoro Station and Iwadatami, there is a street called "Iwadatami Shopping Street" where many souvenir shops and restaurants are dotted. We recommend combining your stroll along the rock bed with some shopping and dining.

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Nagatoro Iwadatami

Location: Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture Opening hours: Open all year round Admission fee: Free Access: 5-minute walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway Inquiries: Nagatoro Town Tourism Association (Inc.) 0494-66-3311 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)

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2. Experience Japanese culture aboard a Japanese boat! "Rhine Cruise The Nagatoro River"

One of the main tourist leisure activities in Nagatoro is traditional Japanese river boat riding, where you can experience the scenery as you smoothly navigate the calm river, as well as the thrill of rapids, all while boarding a Japanese-style boat steered by an experienced boatman.

You can also enjoy the magnificent riverside scenery that changes with the seasons as you go down the river. In particular, the experience of going down the river along the valley during the autumn foliage season is exceptional. We recommend enjoying the autumn foliage that is unique to Nagatoro while feeling the refreshing autumn breeze.

Every year from January to February, the Japanese boats will be equipped with kotatsu, a traditional Japanese table heater. You can enjoy a boat trip while staying warm in a kotatsu, even as the cold winter winds blow through the valley. Why not try experiencing a piece of Japanese culture that can only be experienced in the cold winter?

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Rhine Cruise The Nagatoro River (Warm Kotatsu Boat)

Operating period: Early March to early December (Winter-only "Poka Poka Kotatsu Boat" operates from January to February)

Business hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm ("Poka Poka Kotatsu Boat" is 10:00am to 2:30pm)
*During operating hours, Japanese boats operate every 5 to 20 minutes.
* May be postponed due to weather conditions, etc.

Address: 489-2 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 1 minute walk from Nagatoro Station Inquiries: Nagatoro Line Boat Cruise Headquarters 0494-66-0950 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)

Rhine Cruise The Nagatoro River Official Website

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3. Enjoy a 5-minute aerial ride to the summit on the "Hodosan Ropeway"

The Hodosan Ropeway is 832m long and takes about 5 minutes from the base station to the summit station. At the summit of Mt. Hodo, seasonal flowers such as wintersweet, plum blossoms, azaleas, and winter cherry blossoms bloom in abundance. From an altitude of 497m, you can see the mountains surrounding the Chichibu Basin. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery and seasonal flowers all year round.

[January to February] Wintersweet

Winter plum is a deciduous shrub belonging to the family Wintersweet, known for its beautiful yellow flowers that bloom in winter. The flowers are shiny like wax and have a sweet fragrance.

At Mt. Hodo, five varieties of wintersweet flowers bloom in the vast gardens of 3,000 square meters in the West Wintersweet Garden and 2,000 square meters in the East Wintersweet Garden. From here, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the town of Chichibu, Mt. Buko, the symbol of Chichibu, and the saw-shaped mountain of Mt. Ryokami.

[March] Plum blossoms

The Ume Hyakukaen, located in front of the Hodo Mountain Summit Station, began planting plum trees in 1986, and currently has about 170 varieties, including the early-blooming Touji and Kankoubai plums, the Three Famous Flowers of the Month (Full Moon, Tagoto Moon, and Soumei Moon), famous flowers, and rare flowers, making it the plum garden with the most varieties in the Kanto region. From around mid-February, about 470 plum trees paint the mountainside red and white.

[April to May] Azalea

Thousands of mountain azaleas of various kinds, including pink, red, and white, bloom in full glory, painting the summit of Mt. Hodo in brilliant colors.

[April to September] Green season

During the green season, the mountains take on a soft, vibrant green color. The new leaves shine in the sunlight, and their transparent green color makes you feel their vitality. The change from the light yellow-green of the new leaves to a dark green is also very beautiful, and the view from the mountaintop gives refreshing energy and vitality to those who see it, soothing the soul.

[October to December] Sea of clouds, sunsets, and autumn leaves

You can see the sea of clouds at Mt. Hodo. On limited days from October to November, the Mt. Hodo Ropeway operates special early morning services so that you can enjoy the sea of clouds.

In addition, the beautiful sunset over the mountains of the Chichibu Basin is very popular. On limited days in October and November, the operating hours of the Hodo Mountain Ropeway will be delayed so that you can enjoy the sunset.

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Hodosan Ropeway

Operating hours: 9:40am - 5:00pm
*After 10:00 a.m., buses run every 15 to 30 minutes.
*Operating hours may change depending on the season.

Fare: Adults 700 yen one way, 1,200 yen round trip / Children 350 yen one way, 600 yen round trip

Closing days: Open all year round *Closed during regular inspection period (2 weeks) in December every year

Location: 1766-1 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture

Access: 20 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway. *A free shuttle bus runs from Nagatoro Station to the Hodosan Ropeway base station.

Hodosan Ropeway Official Website

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4. Experience feeding animals for just 100 yen! "Hodosan Small Animal Zoo"

At the Hodosan Small Animal Park, located at the summit of Mt. Hodo, you can get up close and personal with a variety of animals, including Japanese macaques and Japanese deer.

It is a popular tourist spot where you can even feed the animals for just 100 yen. Payment for the feeding experience can only be made in coins, so we recommend that you prepare 100 yen coins in advance.

Also, don't miss the adorable shows featuring guinea pigs and call ducks.

\Introducing the animals you can feed/
Llamas are known for their round eyes and fluffy fur! They are friendly and love to eat!

Goats: the natural smile

Hopping around! A rabbit with long ears and big eyes

Sika deer, the beautiful lord of the forest, in harmony with nature

Can you throw the food over your head? The most popular feeding spot is the Japanese macaques.

Cute guinea pigs crossing a bridge "Mallway"
Guinea pigs run in a line on a board that resembles a narrow bridge.
The sight of the adorable guinea pigs moving to the sound of the bell is a must-see.

The "Duck Walk" - A walk with a wagging call duck
You can also watch the animals walk around the park, shaking their bottoms in time with the sound of a bell.

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Hodosan Small Animal Zoo

Opening hours: 10:00am - 4:30pm *May vary depending on the season Admission fee: 500 yen for adults, 250 yen for children Holidays: Open all year round *Closed when the Hodosan Ropeway is out of service Access: 20 minutes walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway. Take the Hodosan Ropeway to the summit station for 5 minutes. It is a 7-minute walk from the summit station.

Hodo Mountain Small Animal Park website

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5. Hodosan Shrine -  one of the three Chichibu shrines located at the foot of Mt. Hodosan

Hodosan Shrine is one of the three major shrines in Chichibu, with its main hall located at the foot of Mt. Hodosan. It is highly regarded as a guardian deity that protects against fire, theft, and other misfortunes, and is visited by more than one million worshippers each year, not only from the local area but from all over the Kanto region.

There are colorful and beautiful carvings throughout the main hall and worship hall of Hodosan Shrine. These were carved by sculptor Iida Iwajiro from Kumagaya, Bushu, and are one of the points you should pay attention to when visiting the shrine, as they convey the solemn atmosphere of the shrine nestled in the mountains.

In addition, Hotoyama Shrine is the first shrine in Saitama Prefecture to be awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan as an "interesting spot."

The Okumiya Shrine is located at the summit of Mt. Hodo and can be reached in about 10 minutes from the summit station of the Hodo Ropeway.
The atmosphere of the inner shrine, which sits quietly on the mountaintop, is very mystical and different from that of the main shrine.
Why not also visit the Okumiya Shrine at the summit of Mt. Hodo?

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Hodosan Shrine

Location: 1828 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture Holidays: Open all year round Opening hours: April to September 8:30am to 5:00pm / October to March 8:30am to 4:30pm Access: 15 minutes walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway Contact: 0494-66-0084

Hodosan Shrine Official Homepage

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6. Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club: An experiential art facility with a Japanese motif

It is an experiential art facility that incorporates elements of tricks from many fields, including optical illusions and three-dimensional tricks. Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club has a total of 34 works on display, including trick art exclusive to the museum, divided into four sections, with a focus on works with "Japanese" motifs such as Edo culture and ninjas.

This is an all-weather art museum that you can enjoy regardless of the weather. We change the exhibits regularly so that you can encounter new trick art no matter how many times you visit. We recommend visiting with family or friends, as you can enjoy the illusion by taking photos.

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Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club

Opening hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm (last entry 3:30pm)
Admission fee: 1,000 yen for adults, 700 yen for junior high school students, 500 yen for children Closed: Every Thursday *Open during peak season Location: 704 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 10 minutes walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway. *A free shuttle bus runs from Nagatoro Station to the Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club.

Nagatoro Trick Art Yurin Club Official Website

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Recommended restaurants to accompany your sightseeing in Nagatoro!

Nagatoro Town in Saitama Prefecture is famous for Japanese soba and udon. The Chichibu region also has a culture of making miso-marinated pork, a modern take on the traditional preserved food miso-marinated boar, and is a popular local specialty. Other famous local delicacies include rice bowls such as waraji katsudon.

1. Miso Pork Rice Bowl Specialty Restaurant Yurin

Located a two-minute walk from Nagatoro Station towards Hodosan Shrine, this restaurant specializes in Chichibu's specialty "pork and miso rice bowls." Our experienced chefs carefully grill pork marinated in a secret miso sauce, creating a luxurious dish.

With one bite, the juicy pork soaked in sweet and spicy miso fills your mouth, and the flavor deepens with each bite. The umami of the meat and the richness of the miso are exquisitely intertwined, making it so delicious you won't be able to stop eating rice.

In addition, the rice is generously covered in miso sauce, so you can enjoy it down to the last grain. The aroma of the savory grilled pork whets your appetite, making for a very satisfying bowl of ramen. If you visit Nagatoro, be sure to give it a try.

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Miso Pork Rice Bowl Specialty Restaurant Yurin

Business hours: 10:30am - 4:00pm (closes when pork is sold out)
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays *During peak and off-peak seasons, opening hours may change suddenly or the shop may be closed.
Address: 532-5 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 2 minutes walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway

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2. Garden House Yurin

This is a restaurant that you can easily drop in to on your way to the summit of Mt. Hodosan or Hodosan Shrine. In addition to a menu centered around soba and udon noodles made with local ingredients, you can enjoy other reasonably priced dishes such as the local specialty "Waraji Katsudon" and the winter-only "Okkirikomi Udon."

Chichibu's specialty dish, "Waraji Katsudon," is exactly what its name suggests: two large cutlets, each shaped like a straw sandal, are placed on top of a bowl of rice. The freshly fried cutlets are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with the juices filling your mouth. The special sweet and spicy sauce permeates the entire cutlet and pairs perfectly with the white rice. Although it is a hearty meal, the light texture of the cutlet and the rich flavor of the sauce will keep you entertained until the last bite.

"Okkirikomi Udon" is a local Chichibu dish that is warm and comforting. Its distinctive feature is the shape of the udon, which is thicker than regular udon and has a firm texture. The noodles are chewy and elastic, and mix well with the soup, making it satisfying to eat. The ingredients include tenderly stewed pork and vegetables, and the flavors of each ingredient blend into the soup, giving it a deeper flavor. Although simple, it is a bowl that warms both the body and the soul. Okkirikomi Udon is a perfect dish for the cold season.

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Garden House Yurin

Business hours: 11:00am - 3:00pm
Closed: Irregular holidays
Location: 704 Nagatoro, Chichibu-cho, Nagatoro-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 10 minutes walk from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway

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If you come to Nagatoro, take the Chichibu Railway to other areas!

Northwest Saitama Prefecture is an area full of natural beauty and history. Located about 90 minutes from Tokyo, it attracts many tourists from the greater Tokyo area. In addition to Nagatoro, which we introduced on this page, there are plenty of other spots to enjoy!

The Chichibu Railway is a local line that allows you to travel through areas rich in nature and dotted with tourist spots such as Chichibu, Yorii, Fukaya, Gyoda, and Hanyu in addition to Nagatoro, and is used by many tourists as a means of transportation for both day trips and overnight stays. In addition, the tourist train "SL Paleo Express" is popular as the closest steam locomotive to central Tokyo. Please hop on the Chichibu Railway and enjoy an extraordinary "railroad trip."