[Saitama Prefecture] How to get to Chichibu and Nagatoro! Which route is recommended from Tokyo or Kawagoe?
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Saitama Prefecture's representative tourist destinations, Chichibu and Nagatoro, are rich in nature and history, and are visited by many people every year. This article summarizes how to get there by train from Tokyo and the popular tourist destination, Kawagoe.
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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".
Recommended way to get to Chichibu and Nagatoro from Tokyo
Chichibu and Nagatoro are two of Saitama's most popular tourist destinations. Located in the northwest of Saitama, these naturally rich tourist destinations are accessible in 90 minutes from Tokyo.
You can access Chichibu and Nagatoro by train or car.
In this article, we will introduce how to travel by train from Tokyo and the popular tourist destination of Kawagoe to Chichibu and Nagatoro.
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Table of Contents
- The only line connecting Chichibu and Nagatoro: Chichibu Railway
- Access from Tokyo Station to Chichibu and Nagatoro
- Access from Ikebukuro Station to Chichibu and Nagatoro
- Access from Asakusa Station to Chichibu and Nagatoro
- Access from Kawagoe Station and Honkawagoe Station to Chichibu and Nagatoro
- Head to Chichibu and Nagatoro by tourist train: The closest steam locomotive to Tokyo, the SL Paleo Express
- Use apps and web services for train transfer information
The only line connecting Chichibu and Nagatoro: Chichibu Railway
The Chichibu Railway is a local line that runs through northwestern Saitama Prefecture. It has stations in Chichibu and Nagatoro. It is a must-ride train when traveling to Nagatoro.
Another means of transportation is by car. Chichibu and Nagatoro have plenty of paid parking lots for tourists, but the roads are narrow and there are one-way streets, so if you are not familiar with the roads, you may find it difficult to drive.
On the other hand, tourist spots in Chichibu and Nagatoro are concentrated within walking distance of the station. Chichibu in particular has a good selection of bus routes and rental bicycles, making it possible to travel further afield.
Access from Tokyo Station to Chichibu and Nagatoro
Tokyo Station, Japan's main terminal station, can be accessed from all over Japan via the Tohoku/Yamagata, Akita/Hokkaido, Joetsu/Hokuriku, Sanyo/Tokaido Shinkansen lines.
We will introduce two ways to get from Tokyo Station to Nagatoro Station and Chichibu Station, divided by their characteristics. Please use this as a reference to find the access method that suits you best.
1. Want to get to your destination faster? Take the Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station
Take the Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station and get off at Kumagaya Station.
Kumagaya Station is a connecting station with the Chichibu Railway.
From Kumagaya Station to Nagatoro Station Chichibu Railway (towards Mitakeguchi)
Take the train from Kumagaya Station on the Chichibu Railway heading towards Nagatoro/Chichibu.
Please board the train bound for Nagatoro, Chichibu, Kagemori, or Mitakeguchi .
Get off at Nagatoro Station or Chichibu Station.
Travel time from Tokyo Station to Nagatoro Station: Approximately 2 hours *1 transfer required Travel time from Tokyo Station to Chichibu Station: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes *1 transfer required
2. Want to get to your destination on the cheap? Take the Ueno-Tokyo Line (JR Takasaki Line) from Tokyo Station
Take the Ueno-Tokyo Line from Tokyo Station. The Ueno-Tokyo Line is a direct line that runs directly to the JR Takasaki Line.
Get off at Kumagaya Station, which is a connecting station with the Chichibu Railway.
Exit the ticket gates at JR Kumagaya Station and head to Chichibu Railway Kumagaya Station.
It takes about 2 minutes on foot from the JR Kumagaya Station ticket gates to Chichibu Railway Kumagaya Station via the concourse.
Signs show you the direction to go.
Take the train from Kumagaya Station on the Chichibu Railway heading towards Nagatoro/Chichibu.
Please board the train bound for Nagatoro, Chichibu, Kagemori, or Mitakeguchi .
Get off at Nagatoro Station or Chichibu Station.
Travel time from Tokyo Station to Nagatoro Station: Approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes *1 transfer required Travel time from Tokyo Station to Chichibu Station: Approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes *1 transfer required
Access from Ikebukuro Station to Chichibu and Nagatoro
Ikebukuro is a popular area where Japanese pop culture comes together, and is a popular destination for inbound tourists.
We will introduce two ways to get from Ikebukuro Station to Nagatoro Station and Chichibu Station. Please use this as a reference to find the access method that suits you best.
1. Want to get to your destination quickly? Take the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro Station
This method of access is suitable for accessing Nagatoro.
Take the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro Station . Get off at Yorii Station, the last stop on the Tobu Tojo Line.
Yorii Station is a connecting station with the Chichibu Railway.
On the Tobu Tojo Line, you may need to transfer multiple times depending on the type of train you are taking .
The main transfer stations are Shinrin-koen Station and Ogawamachi Station. The direction to board is Yorii-bound.
Exit the ticket gates at Yorii Station on the Tobu Tojo Line and head to Yorii Station on the Chichibu Railway.
It is about a 2-minute walk from the Tobu Tojo Line Yorii Station platform to Chichibu Railway Yorii Station via the concourse.
Signs show you the direction to go.
Take the train from Yorii Station on the Chichibu Railway heading towards Nagatoro and Chichibu.
Please board the train bound for Nagatoro, Chichibu, Kagemori, or Mitakeguchi .
Get off at Nagatoro Station.
If you continue riding like this for about 20 minutes, you will arrive at Chichibu Station.
Travel time from Tobu Railway Ikebukuro Station to Nagatoro Station: Approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes *2 to 3 transfers required
Travel time from Tobu Railway Ikebukuro Station to Chichibu Station: Approximately 2 hours 25 minutes *2-3 transfers required
2. Want to reach your destination with fewer transfers? Take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line from Ikebukuro Station
This is a good way to get to Chichibu.
Take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line from Ikebukuro Station . The transfer station is Hanno Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.
At Hanno Station, transfer from the Seibu Ikebukuro Line to the Seibu Chichibu Line. Get off at Seibu Chichibu Station, the last stop on the Seibu Chichibu Line. Seibu Chichibu Station is a connecting station with the Chichibu Railway.
From Seibu Chichibu Station, walk to Chichibu Railway Onohata Station. It's a 10-minute walk.
Signs show you the direction to go.
Take the train from Chichibu Railway Onohata Station heading towards Nagatoro, Yorii, or Kumagaya.
Please board the train bound for Nagatoro, Kumagaya, or Hanyu .
Get off at Chichibu Station.
If you continue riding like this for about 20 minutes, you will arrive at Nagatoro Station.
Time required from Seibu Railway Ikebukuro Station to Chichibu Station: Approximately 2 hours 35 minutes *2 transfers required Time required from Seibu Railway Ikebukuro Station to Nagatoro Station: Approximately 3 hours *2 transfers required
Access from Asakusa Station to Chichibu and Nagatoro
Asakusa is a must-visit tourist spot for anyone traveling to Japan, and is visited by many Japanese people as well as inbound tourists. Here we will introduce how to get from Asakusa Station to Nagatoro Station and Chichibu Station with minimal transfers.
Take the Tobu Skytree Line or Tobu Isesaki Line from Asakusa Station . Get off at Hanyu Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line.
Hanyu Station is a connecting station with the Chichibu Railway.
On the Tobu Skytree Line and Tobu Isesaki Line, you may need to transfer multiple times depending on the type of train you take .
Take the train from Hanyu Station on the Chichibu Railway heading towards Kumagaya, Nagatoro, or Chichibu.
Please board the train bound for Nagatoro, Kagemori, or Mitakeguchi .
Get off at Nagatoro Station or Chichibu Station.
Travel time from Tobu Railway Asakusa Station to Nagatoro Station: Approximately 2 hours 50 minutes *2-3 transfers Travel time from Tobu Railway Asakusa Station to Chichibu Station: Approximately 3 hours 10 minutes *2-3 transfers
Access from Kawagoe Station and Honkawagoe Station to Chichibu and Nagatoro
Kawagoe is also known as "Little Edo" and is known for its streets lined with old storehouses and merchant houses in the Kura-zukuri architectural style. In recent years, the city has been attracting attention from inbound tourists and young people in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
We will introduce how to get from Kawagoe Station and Honkawagoe Station, the main stations in Kawagoe, to Chichibu and Nagatoro. Please use this as a reference to find the access method that suits you.
1. Want to get to your destination cheaper and with fewer transfers? Take the Tobu Tojo Line from Kawagoe Station
This method of access is suitable for accessing Nagatoro.
Take the Tobu Tojo Line from Kawagoe Station . Get off at Yorii Station, the last stop on the Tobu Tojo Line.
Yorii Station is a connecting station with the Chichibu Railway.
On the Tobu Tojo Line, you may need to transfer multiple times depending on the type of train you are taking .
The main transfer stations are Shinrin-koen Station and Ogawamachi Station.
The train I'm taking is to Yorii.
Exit the ticket gates at Yorii Station on the Tobu Tojo Line and head to Yorii Station on the Chichibu Railway.
It is about a 2-minute walk from the Tobu Tojo Line Yorii Station platform to Chichibu Railway Yorii Station via the concourse.
Signs show you the direction to go.
Take the train from Yorii Station on the Chichibu Railway heading towards Nagatoro and Chichibu.
Please board the train bound for Nagatoro, Chichibu, Kagemori, or Mitakeguchi . Get off at Nagatoro Station.
If you continue riding like this for about 20 minutes, you will arrive at Chichibu Station.
Travel time from Tobu Railway Kawagoe Station to Nagatoro Station: Approximately 1 hour 35 minutes *2-3 transfers required
Travel time from Tobu Railway Kawagoe Station to Chichibu Station: Approximately 1 hour 55 minutes *2 to 3 transfers required
2. Want to get to your destination faster with fewer transfers? Take the Seibu Shinjuku Line from Hon-Kawagoe Station
This is a good way to get to Chichibu.
Take the Seibu Shinjuku Line from Hon-Kawagoe Station . The transfer station is Tokorozawa Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line.
At Tokorozawa Station, transfer from the Seibu Shinjuku Line to the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. The transfer station is Hanno Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.
At Hanno Station, transfer from the Seibu Ikebukuro Line to the Seibu Chichibu Line. Get off at Seibu Chichibu Station, the last stop on the Seibu Chichibu Line.
Seibu Chichibu Station is a connecting station with the Chichibu Railway.
From Seibu Chichibu Station, walk to Chichibu Railway Onohata Station. It's a 10-minute walk.
Signs show you the direction to go.
Take the train from Chichibu Railway Onohata Station heading towards Nagatoro, Yorii, or Kumagaya.
Please board the train bound for Nagatoro, Kumagaya, or Hanyu .
Get off at Chichibu Station.
If you continue riding like this for about 20 minutes, you will arrive at Nagatoro Station.
Seibu Railway, travel time from Hon-Kawagoe Station to Chichibu Station: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes *3 transfers required
Travel time from Tobu Railway Hon-Kawagoe Station to Nagatoro Station: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes *3 transfers required
Head to Chichibu and Nagatoro by tourist train: The closest steam locomotive to Tokyo, the SL Paleo Express
How about taking the steam locomotive "SL Paleo Express" from Kumagaya Station to Nagatoro Station or Chichibu Station?
It runs one round trip per day between Kumagaya Station and Mitakeguchi Station, mainly on weekends and holidays. On board, they sell original snacks and bento boxes (reservations required), gelato, local beer, and other items that can only be eaten when riding the SL Paleo Express. We recommend riding the train as it gives you a sense of sightseeing as you travel to your destination.
Why not take a seat in the retro passenger car and enjoy the picturesque, natural scenery from the window?
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SL Paleo Express
For inquiries, please contact the Passenger Information Section at Chichibu Railway Co., Ltd.
TEL: 048-580-6363
*All seats are reserved. For details, please see the Chichibu Railway official website.
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Use apps and web services for train transfer information
When you go to Chichibu and Nagatoro, you must take the Chichibu Railway, which connects to various lines such as the Tobu Isesaki Line, JR Takasaki Line, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen, Tobu Tojo Line, JR Hachiko Line, Seibu Chichibu Line, and Ikebukuro Line. Therefore, there are various ways to access the area.
For transfer information, try using apps and web services to find the access method that suits you best.
*The travel time, number of transfers, and directions given in this article are just examples. Please check the latest information, such as train operating conditions, before heading out.
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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