Review of and information for the Ranzan Valley BBQ Area on the Tsuki River. This post has been updated several times to reflect the significant changes at Ranzan Valley Barbecue, effective since 2021.
Ranzan Valley barbecue area is a popular riverside day camp destination in the scenic area of the countryside in Hiki District, Saitama. It is commutable from Tokyo and attracts day trippers from around the Kanto plain. The barbecue area closed temporarily during the 2021 summer State of Emergency, but was back open in time for Autumn season. Furthermore, they have extended the season, effective since winter 2021 / 2022. The barbecue area used to close early December, but the barbecue area is now open in Winter and March on the weekends. Moreover, for the first time since 2018, the Ranzan Valley Autumn leaf festival was on in 2021 and is scheduled for 2022 too.
Barbecue area on Tsuki river
Ranzan Valley barbecue area is off the international tourist trail, but well known among domestic tourists. For eight years in a row it ranked number one for barbecue spots in the Kanto area on JTB Rurubu’s site. It even won the coveted number one position for the whole of Japan two years running.
However, in my humble opinion, it is not the best barbecue site in the area. It is convenient because it has more facilities, more shaded areas and is more scenic than a lot of the other BBQ areas in the Hiki District. They also have a nice barbecue rental area, off the stone beach in a designated area, where you can stone grill under a shaded area. And is along the Tsuki River, which is renowned as one of the cleanest in Saitama Prefecture.
However, the site is also twice the price of most other barbecue sites. It costs 1000 yen for parking for cars. But if you come by foot or public transport it is free to use the riverside area. The rental costs are pretty standard though – 3000 yen for a brick grill, 1,500 for a stone grill. You can also rent smaller grills and barbecue equipment. Even sun brolleys, tables and chairs. And you can book a fully inclusive barbecue with food provided too.
The main advantage of this site for me is its location and proximity to seasonal attractions. For example, it is close to the cherry blossoms and horseback archery events that take place in Spring. And it is right beside Japan’s largest lavender fields, which bloom in June. It is also close to the butterfly park – Ranzan is home to the national butterfly of Japan. Furthermore, you can walk along the riverside for a short cut to the autumn leaves.
Ranzan Valley
In Autumn the Ranzan valley is absolutely breathtaking dressed in shades of gold, orange and red. It is known as the “Arashiyama of Musashi Country” due to its resemblance of Kyoto’s famous Arashiyama area. Its a great place to get shots of the autumn leaves reflected in the Tsuki River.
The Ranzan Valley Barbecue area gives access to the hiking trails. Although there are other places you can park for free, at least with the barbecue site you have some facilities and you know your car is safe.
Ranzan Valley BBQ Facilities
- Management office
- Information area
- Barbecue rental
- Fully inclusive barbecue available (with food provided)
- Barbecue rental area with shade and seating areas
- Sinks for washing dishes
- Toilets
- Shop selling river play goods as well as drinks and other necessities
- Rest area
- Vending machines
- Rubbish collection
With the 1000 yen you pay for car parking you get rubbish bags for sorting your trash and handing in on your way home. In autumn the car park is half price, but you don’t get any rubbish bags and you can’t use the barbecue facilities.
Impressions
Ranzan Valley BBQ area has more facilities than a lot of other riverside barbecue areas in the Hiki District, but this section of the river isn’t as clean as other places along the Tsuki River. But it is a good spot to get out of the city and enjoy a country BBQ. The river beach is very stony though. And when we visited today the river bed was very slimy and also very smelly. However, it was after heavy rain and I did see some workmen getting ready for a clean up. On other visits the water has been clear and better than other rivers in the area. However, further upstream, such as in Ogawamachi and Higashichichibu, the Tsuki River is even clearer and cleaner.
My four year old loves playing in water, but she wasn’t very enamored with Ranzan Valley. We both liked further upstream where there is no space for camping out, just the river and the scenery. We left the Ranzan car park after just an hour – most of which we spent walking in the area. But we both LOVED our next stop…
If you just want a barbecue near the river, rather than on it, I recommend Fukurou No Mori which is only minutes away. You can also access the picturesque part of the river, right by the stepping stones, from this site. My four year old loved it there. It is a glamping style, all inclusive barbecue – just bring yourself and the rest is taken care of. Or you can just use their outdoor cafe, which we did today.
For a riverside barbecue or country BBQ, the Kurakake barbecue area in Higashi-matsuyama is a much better spot in my humble opinion. Although it is pretty, it is not quite as scenic as Ranzan, but the river is much cleaner and the riverside is more suited to pitching tents and tarps. However, if you want to hike and explore too, Ranzan is better. It really depends what you are looking for and time of year too.
Other River BBQ areas in Saitama
- Kawasemi-gawara, Arakawa BBQ spot and campsite
- River BBQ Kurakake Higashimatsuyama
- Off the beaten path river play and BBQ spot in Ogose
- Kinomura Camp | TOKIGAWA
- Sanba Gorge accessible nature spot Tokigawa
- Comoriver Tokitama Himitsu Kichi| TOKIGAWA
Ranzan Valley BBQ Area Information
Season: the official season is from April until November. However, since Autumn 2021 things have changed quite a lot. For example, the barbecue area is now open on weekends in winter and the month of March too. Once the barbecue area is open, the car park is charged. It used to be free from December until the end of March.
Hours: open Saturday to Thursday from 9 am to 4.30 pm between April and the end of September. The car park closes at 4 pm from October 1st for the rest of the year and during the month of March too. Closed on Fridays except for during the summer holiday, Golden Week and Autumn leaf periods.
Cost: 1000 yen for cars, 400 yen for bikes for one day during barbecue season. The parking used to be 500 yen during “koyo” autumn leaves season in a normal year, because you couldn’t barbecue. But now that you can, the fee is 1000 yen even if you are not barbecuing yourself. Also, please note that you can’t go out and come back on the same ticket. If you leave the car park once, you have to pay again to get back in. Moreover, please note that since August 1st 2021, there is now a 500 yen facility usage fee for all visitors over the age of 15 to the barbecue area of the valley.
Rental costs vary depending on what you are renting. You can see individual costs of equipment (with pictures) here. The barbecue brick grills and the fully inclusive barbecue (food provided) require booking in advance.
Address: 2857 Kamagata, Ranzan, Hiki-gun, Saitama 355-0225
Phone: 0493-62-4152
Ranzan Valley Tsuki River Access
A scenic 40 minute walk from Musashi Ranzan station on the Tobu Tojo Line.
Eight kilometers from both the Higashimatsuyama and Ranzan Ogawa Interchanges of the Kanetsu expressway.
so many trails across the country! and they always look a little overgrown
Haha, very true. Part of their charm!? But I don’t like when they are overgrown cause I’m afraid of brushing off a snake!!