This scenic riverside area of Ogawa town is very much off the tourist trail, even though it has been visited by the (former) Emperor and Empress of Japan. Furthermore, it has an unique shrine, that you have to cross the river to get to. It is the Tsuki river, whichRead More →
Last year, 2021, I saw on my Google Analytics that some new visitors had found my website through a search for “Nagatoro river boating during the SOE?” Ironically, at that time, I had very little on the blog about the river boating in Nagatoro, just a brief mention on theRead More →
Summer in Saitama 2022 – In 2020 and 2021 summer was quite different to life before the pandemic. And although we are still in the shadow of the pandemic in 2022, life does feel somewhat more ‘normal’ than the past two years. For example, several water play areas and poolsRead More →
Autumn leaves 紅葉, Ranzan valley / Gorge. New information added on November 11th 2022. Ranzan Valley (also known as Ranzan Gorge or Ranzan Keikoku in Japanese) is a beautiful nature spot with several hiking routes in the Hiki area of Saitama Prefecture. It is particularly popular in Autumn when theRead More →
A Little known river play spot, where you can also barbecue, along the Oppe River at Daima Nozon Hiroba in Ogose. River play / BBQ Ogose Given the year that’s in it, we’ve been spending a lot of our time “off the beaten path”. On our spring adventures this yearRead More →
Kawasemi-gawara is the name of a BBQ spot and free cheap campsite by the Arakawa (Ara River) in Yorii, Saitama Prefecture. If you’ve ever been to the Saitama Museum of Rivers you will have seen it by the car park entrance to the river museum. You can also see itRead 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 →
This is one post I am particularly happy to be bringing you! We have been trying to stay at Kinomura Camp in Tokigawa for the last five years. However, as it is extremely popular we have never been able to secure a booking for a date we wanted. In 2020,Read More →
Sabo Dam with hydrangea and seasonal flowers in Tokigawa Town. Five year old really wanted to play in some water today. However, most of the water play areas in parks are closed on account of the Coronavirus. It was a blessing in disguise, because instead we went to a SuzumegawaRead More →
Greenpark Fukiware is a riverside and forest campsite near the Fukiware falls in Numata, Gunma. The geography and set up of the camping grounds make it suitable for all year round camping. In winter there is snow play, spring brings the cherry blossoms, summer water play and in Autumn theRead More →