Forested Mountains, Rocky Cliffs and Colorful Fields Near Tokyo
Easily accessible from Tokyo, Chichibu has been a favorite getaway for Tokyo-dwellers since the 19th century because of its pristine beauty. There's a great deal to see and do in Chichibu itself, and it's also a great jumping-off point for the scenic area around the town. With its forested mountains and valleys, Chichibu is a gorgeous getaway. Near Chichibu is the town of Nagatoro, tucked even deeper into the mountainside. A popular destination since the 19th century, Nagatoro is a tiny mountain town designed for outdoor tourism.
In addition to activities like hiking and cycling, the biggest attraction is the Arakawa River, which snakes its way through the town. In the autumn, consider a visit to the Nakatsu Valley. It's listed as one of Japan's 100 best spots for viewing autumn leaves. A view down the valley vista presents you with 10 kilometers of brilliant red and yellow leaves, with a dynamic landscape of cliffs on either side and the hazy mountains in the distance. Another gorgeous spot in Chichibu is Hitsujiyama Park . Hitsujiyama Park has one of the largest fields of shibazakura in all of Japan. At the end of spring, the blooming flowers turn the ground into a carpet of vivid pink, violet, and white.
The Chichibu Temple Pilgrimage is a path taking you to 34 temples located throughout the area. This route leads to various temples located in both natural surroundings and in residential areas. The Chichibu area has famous mountain shrines as well. Hodosan Shrine is an elaborate shrine dating back 2,000 years. It stands right at the foot of Mt. Hodo, surrounded by tall pine trees. Mitsumine Shrine is located even further up the mountains southwest of Chichibu. It's at an altitude of 1,102 meters and often shrouded in fog. Some of the trees on the shrine grounds are over 800 years old.
In addition to activities like hiking and cycling, the biggest attraction is the Arakawa River, which snakes its way through the town. In the autumn, consider a visit to the Nakatsu Valley. It's listed as one of Japan's 100 best spots for viewing autumn leaves. A view down the valley vista presents you with 10 kilometers of brilliant red and yellow leaves, with a dynamic landscape of cliffs on either side and the hazy mountains in the distance. Another gorgeous spot in Chichibu is Hitsujiyama Park . Hitsujiyama Park has one of the largest fields of shibazakura in all of Japan. At the end of spring, the blooming flowers turn the ground into a carpet of vivid pink, violet, and white.
The Chichibu Temple Pilgrimage is a path taking you to 34 temples located throughout the area. This route leads to various temples located in both natural surroundings and in residential areas. The Chichibu area has famous mountain shrines as well. Hodosan Shrine is an elaborate shrine dating back 2,000 years. It stands right at the foot of Mt. Hodo, surrounded by tall pine trees. Mitsumine Shrine is located even further up the mountains southwest of Chichibu. It's at an altitude of 1,102 meters and often shrouded in fog. Some of the trees on the shrine grounds are over 800 years old.
