Chichibu Highland Ranch, also known as Sai No Kuni Fureai Farm, is a free prefectural farm on top of a 766 meter high mountain ridge in Higashichichibu village. Located on an old mountain route that connects Ogawa and Higashichichibu to the Chichibu District, the drive itself is both beautiful andRead More →
Fish your own lunch at Fuppu Nijimasu Fishing Ponds! Fuppu is the name of the area in Yorii. Nijimasu is the Japanese for Rainbow Trout. Fuppu Nijimasu fishing ponds is a type of fishing restaurant cum fishing center. You can fish for rainbow trout for consumption. You can either eatRead More →
Tsuchiuchi Camping Grounds is deep in a valley in the former Otaki village in Chichibu. Pitched on the staggered sides of the ravine, the camp and cabin grounds are hugged by beautiful forest on all sides. Natural moss grows thick on craggy rock with fresh water rolling over forming beautifulRead More →
Toryu bridge (also called Toryumon) is over the Ara River (Arakawa) in the Mitsumine area of the former Otaki Village in Chichibu, Saitama. Toryu Bridge Toryu Bridge is a footbridge at the start of the “omotesando”, the sacred trail, to the famous Mitsumine Shrine. The hike from the bridge toRead More →
The 2021 Inohana Amazake Festival is cancelled. Inohana Amazake Festival or Inohana Sweet Sake Festival is one of those “only in Japan” type of festivals. And even within that category it is one of the more unusual ones. Near naked men, donning only a lion cloth, throw sake at eachRead More →
Senbonzakura, the name of a famous song, is the Japanese for a thousand cherry blossoms. There are many spots or parks in Japan called Senbonzakura. In Saitama, one of the most stunning Senbonzakura locations is on Mt Torayama in Higashichichibu. The Senbonzakura of Torayama There are actually just under twoRead More →
Setsubun Saitama- Setsubun is a religious ceremony practiced every year on February 3rd. However, in 2021, for the first time in 124 years, Setsubun will fall on February 2nd. Due to the rarity of this, it is not common knowledge. As such, most people will probably still celebrate on FebruaryRead More →
Taiko with Ondekoza – Traditional Japanese taiko is invigorating to watch, but it is even more exhilarating to play. But training with the esteemed Ondekoza taiko drum troupe is an experience an a whole other level. The afternoon I spent watching and playing taiko with some of my peers andRead More →
Wintersweet Nagatoro / Minano, Chichibu at Hodosan Robaien. In the hottest month of the year, I am nostalgic for the coldest month of the year. And judging by my blogs currently trending posts, it would seem I am not the only one. At the moment, the top three read postsRead More →
On June 21st the Nagatoro Tourist Association announced that the 2021 festival is cancelled. On April 27th 2020, months ahead of its scheduled date, the Nagatoro Tourist Assocation announced the cancellation of the 2020 Nagatoro Fundama Festival. Like the majority of events cancelled in 2020 it was due to concernsRead More →