2025 Yokoze Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in August)

Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture To "Roadside Station Ashigakubo Fruit Park" 𓂃◌𓈒𓐍 𓂃◌𓈒𓐍𓂃◌𓈒𓐍𓂃 A roadside station a little before the center of Chichibu. Speaking of roadside stations, many can only be accessed by car🚗, but this one is also close by train🚃! This time, we visited by car because we were going for a drive🚘. When we went inside, there were lots of local agricultural products. There were so many things unique to Chichibu that it was hard to choose. A farmer👩🌾 had just come to deliver grapes🍇. The view of the mountains beyond the parking lot was beautiful and soothing. ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ Location: Roadside Station Ashigakubo Fruit Park Address: 1915-6 Ashigakubo, Yokoze-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Access: 🚉Ashigakubo Station → 5 minutes walk ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ #Car trip #Chichibu #Chichibu sightseeing #Chichibu gourmet #Roadside station #100 travel styles

Yokozemachi Bukosan Tourist Information Center 159 Ashigakubo, Yokozemachi, Chichibugun, Saitama Prefecture. 4 minutes walk from Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line. A tourist information center located along National Route 299. They have maps of Yokozemachi and pamphlets with hiking trails.

Ashigarakubo Shirahige Shrine 202-3 Ashigarakubo, Yokoze-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture 3 minutes walk from Ashigarakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line. There are stairs along National Route 299. A shrine where lion dances, a prefectural designated intangible folk cultural asset, are performed.

Hinatayama Peak From Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line, I took the counterclockwise Wind Road course to climb Hinatayama. There were few people and it was an easy course to walk on. The view from the peak was amazing, and the leaves were starting to change colour so it was a great time to climb.

Flower Path of Ashigakubo Mountain A park near the summit of Mt. Hinatayama at an altitude of 633m. Parking and restrooms available. About 60 minutes walk from Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line. The cherry blossoms are beautiful in spring, but the autumn leaves are also a wonderful sight at this time of year. 404-1 Ashigakubo, Yokoze-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture #Breathtaking view

Maruyama Observation Square This is a spectacular spot where you can see a 360-degree panorama of the Chichibu, Gunma, and Mt. Tsukuba! There are chairs so you can take a rest, but it's a good idea to bring a picnic sheet as many people take a rest here at lunchtime on weekends. There are no restrooms. Maruyama is a hiking trail that starts from Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line.

Roadside Station Ashigakubo Fruit Park 1915-6 Ashigakubo, Yokoze-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture A roadside station located along the Yokoze River, just outside Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line. In addition to selling local vegetables and fruit, souvenirs, and bento boxes, the station also has a restaurant, bakery, vending machines, and restrooms.

Gakucho-san Torin-ji Temple/Chichibu Daibutsu A temple located at 3537 Yokoze, Yokoze-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture. The garden on the temple grounds is very beautiful, and it is located on a hill from which you can see the shape of Mt. Buko. It is a 7-minute walk from Yokoze Station on the Seibu Line.

Sugata no Ike Pond 4249-5 Yokoze, Yokoze-cho, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture This is an agricultural water reservoir located under Hitsujiyama Park's "Miharashi no Oka." There are cherry trees on the road side, so the rows of cherry trees look beautiful in spring. In mid-October, there were no autumn leaves and the trees were bright blue.

Yokoze Station is a station on the Seibu Railway's Seibu Chichibu Line located in Yokoze, Yokoze-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture, and houses the Yokoze-machi Tourist Information Center on the left side of the station building.

Located in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, Hitsujiyama Park's Shibazakura Hill offers a breathtaking view of the vast hill covered in a vibrant carpet of moss phlox, with Mount Buko, Chichibu's symbol, as a backdrop. With the arrival of spring, the magnificent patchwork of pink, white, and purple moss phlox creates a moving and exhilarating experience for visitors—a truly representative springtime scene in Japan. 🌸 The greatest attraction of this hill is its sheer scale, with approximately 400,000 moss phlox plants planted across a vast 17,600-square-meter site. The colorful arrangement, featuring designs reminiscent of the Chichibu Night Festival floats and traditional Chichibu patterns, is like a work of art painted in the midst of nature. The moss phlox that spreads along the hillside changes its appearance depending on the angle from which it is viewed, never failing to captivate visitors. ✨ Further enhancing this beautiful carpet of moss phlox is Chichibu's majestic natural scenery. With Mt. Buko as a backdrop, Shibazakura Hill combines manmade beauty with the majesty of nature, creating a unique landscape you won't find anywhere else. A stroll under the clear spring sky, surrounded by the sweet scent of shibazakura, is a blissful moment that refreshes both body and mind. In addition to Shibazakura Hill, Hitsujiyama Park has much more to offer. Thanks to the large number of cherry trees planted, some years you can enjoy both shibazakura and Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms at the same time, allowing you to enjoy two spectacular spring views at once. There's also a ranch and athletic facilities, making it a place that everyone can enjoy, from children to adults. Hitsujiyama Park and Shibazakura Hill are more than just a famous cherry blossom viewing spot; they are a special, unforgettable place where the rich nature of Chichibu and the beautiful landscapes created by human hands come together. Come spring, why not experience this impressive carpet of shibazakura? 📍Address: 6360 Omiya, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture 368-0023 #AbsolutelyFreeTravel

Found this farmers market cum flower bazaar at our road trip in rural Japan, from Niigata to Tokyo

[Refresh your mind and body at Maruyama Kosen Hanaetsu no Yu] Maruyama Kosen Hanaetsu no Yu, surrounded by the nature of Chichibu, is a hot spring inn that truly heals the mind and body. 🌿 You can enjoy a luxurious time soaking in the hot spring and enjoying the beautiful scenery of the four seasons. The hot spring here is colorless and transparent, and is rich in skin-friendly ingredients, so soaking in the hot spring water will thoroughly relieve your fatigue. In the open-air bath, you can relax in nature while looking at the surrounding mountains and forests. You can enjoy the fresh greenery of spring, the deep greenery of summer, the autumn leaves, and the snowy scenery of winter while spending time relaxing🌸🍁❄️ And the food is also excellent! The dishes are made with local Chichibu ingredients, and the Chichibu specialty "waraji katsu" and fresh river fish are especially delicious. It's the best time to enjoy heartwarming food after relaxing in the hot spring🍽✨ You can also enjoy a day trip to the hot spring, so you can easily stop by and refresh yourself. It's a luxury to take a break in a hot spring after sightseeing in Chichibu. It's easily accessible by car and located in a place rich in nature, so it's the perfect place for those who want to spend some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life 🚗 Please come and experience a relaxing time in Chichibu at Maruyama Onsen Hanaetsu no Yu! 🌿 #ChichibuOnsen #HanaetsunoYu #MaruyamaOnsen #HotSpringRyokan #ChichibuTourism #RelaxingOnsen #DirectFromTheSource #0YenTravelFebruary2025

I visited some wintery spots in Saitama Prefecture. Ashigakubo icicles 🧊 The impact of the world of ice was amazing! They are artificially created using the slope of a mountain 😳 It seems that they are also lit up on weekend nights! It was fantastic and very beautiful, but it was cold ❄️ It is essential to wear warm clothes! Visitors were given free amazake and hot tea ☕️ 📍Ashigakubo icicles, Saitama Prefecture 🚃 10 minutes walk from Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line (Easy access from Ikebukuro, just take the express train) #0 yen trip January 2025

The "Ashigakubo Icicles" are a seasonal winter feature in Yokoze Town, Okuchichibu, Saitama Prefecture, and are one of the three major icicles in Chichibu. These are icicles of art, about 30m tall and 200m wide, created by artificially spraying water from a stream. They are beautiful during the day, but the highlight is the nighttime illumination. The Icicle Festival usually runs from mid-January to late February. In 2025, it will be held from January 9th (Thursday) to February 24th (Monday, national holiday). Nighttime illumination only, Thursday to Sunday and national holidays from 5pm to 8pm *May vary depending on sunset time. In particular, on weekends and national holidays, there will be a complete rotation system between daytime (until 4pm) and illumination (from 5pm). As weekends and national holidays are expected to be particularly crowded, this year we will be requiring online reservations. January will be held on the 11th (Saturday), 12th (Sunday), and 13th. (Monday, holiday), 18th (Saturday), 19th (Sunday), 25th (Saturday), 26th (Sunday) February is being adjusted Admission fee includes environmental improvement fee of 500 yen per person for adults and 300 yen for elementary school students and younger In February, the days get a little longer, and it actually gets dark around 5:30-6pm Therefore, it is recommended to visit after 6pm Also, if you visit in the latter half of the event, the icicles will become rounded with the signs of spring and will look softer than they did at the peak The best time to see them is probably late January to early February The nearest station is Ashigakubo Station, about a 10-minute walk The parking lot is very crowded, so it is recommended to use public transportation If you underestimate Chichibu in winter, the roads will freeze, so studless tires are recommended #Domestic travel record #Saitama Prefecture #Amazing view #Winter trip #Amazing view of ice

#0yentripnovember #mountainclimbing #saitama #mountbukō #accessiblebytrain Mount Bukō is in Saitama prefecture. You can get there by train and it's a wonderful spot where you can fully enjoy the mountains. Of course, it's better to bring proper trekking shoes and mountain equipment, but I wasn't too tired and was able to refresh myself just right!

Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture A visit to Ashigakubo Shokudo at the roadside station Ashigakubo 𓂃◌𓈒𓐍 𓂃◌𓈒𓐍𓂃◌𓈒𓐍𓂃 I tried the Chichibu specialty "Waraji Katsudon"! The katsu was so huge that it overflowed from the bowl! It was so big that it covered my face. They used pork cutlets that were stretched and fried thinly. Although they say it was thin, it had a good meaty texture. The batter was crispy and the sauce was slightly sweet. It was so good that I couldn't stop eating the rice. The best thing is that they have a mixed bowl that combines katsudon and pork donburi. I'm grateful that I can eat it without getting bored. ◉Business hours: Weekdays 11:00-15:00 / Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 11:00-16:00◉Menu: Udon, soba, ramen, pork miso rice bowl, waraji katsu rice bowl, etc. ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ ꕥLocation: Ashigakubo Shokudo ꕥAddress: 1915-6 Ashigakubo, Yokoze-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama ꕥAccess: 🚉Ashigakubo Station → About 5 minutes walk ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ #Japanese cuisine 2024 #Roadside station #Roadside station gourmet #Rice bowl #Rice bowls #Chichibu #Chichibu sightseeing #100 travel styles

#sakura2024 Hanasakiyama Park is a walk from the mountain pass to the top of the mountain. Along the way, the trees and leaves are dancing in the shade, and the flowers and trees are in bloom from time to time. The air is filled with the fragrance of flowers when you blow it. After reaching the top of the mountain, you are amazed by the view in front of you. The skyline has a panoramic view. You can see small islands floating on the sea in the distance. At this time, pink flowers are also blooming on the top of the mountain, blooming with longing and hope. We took photos here from time to time and looked at the beautiful scenery as a habit. I left with memories of fabulous mountain views, and my life has been enriched by this trip. Hanasaki Mountain makes me very attached to it.

We would like to introduce you to Buko no Yu, a recommended spot for your trip to Chichibu. This hot spring bathing facility is located along the Yokoze River at the foot of Mt. Buko in Chichibu. It is a 10-minute walk from Yokoze Station, and has good access to the city center and surrounding tourist spots. There is also a campsite next door, so it is a popular place for bathing while camping. This facility offers an open-air bath where you can fully enjoy nature, as well as a spacious indoor bath and sauna. Inside the building there is a shop and a cafe corner, and at the restaurant you can enjoy handmade soba noodles made with seasonal Chichibu mountain vegetables. You can enjoy a lot of popular Chichibu foods. The Japanese-style room in the dining area is also spacious, so you can relax and unwind. If you visit Chichibu, why not stop by this hidden gem of a bath! #Chichibu #HotSpring #Gourmet #CoupleTrip #SummerShortTrip #FamilyTrip

#tourist spot #drive spot #ice cream #family trip #train trip It seems like you can easily visit Chichibu on a day trip from Tokyo😊 Get off at Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line, and you'll find Ashigakubo Roadside Station❣️ There's a generous amount of ice cream made with domestic black tea. 🍦 It's voluminous, but has a gentle taste that you won't get tired of😋 Chichibu's B-class gourmet miso potatoes are sweet and salty with a slight chilli pepper 🌶️ By the way, they also sold killifish next to the ice cream ticket machine👀 The Yokose River that flows just below has been developed so that small children can play, and it looks like you could spend the whole day there. 😊

#Japan Attractions ⭐Chesakura Hill 📍6360 Omiya, Chichibu, Saitama 368-0023 Japan ⬇️⬇️⬇️ Chichibu is a small town in Tokyo with many natural attractions and cultural heritage. This time we came here to enjoy the flowers. They are so beautiful! 🫣🫣 ✅Yagiyama Park - Shibazakura Hill The park has a beautiful garden called Shibazakura no Hill. Every year between April and May, millions of pink Shiba cherry blossoms bloom here, like a sea of ​​pink. 😍 You can take the cable car to the top of the mountain and enjoy the sea of ​​flowers and the beautiful scenery around it. d flower is very beautiful, see the eyes very comfortable! 🤩 This is impossible to experience in Hong Kong, must come here, definitely worth a visit. 👍🏻👍🏻

Address: Yokoze-cho, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture, Japan 368-0071 Transportation: Take the Seibu Ikebukuro Chichibu Line Express at Ikebukuro Station and transfer to the Chichibu Line at Hanno Station. Stop at each station for 8 stations and get off at Ashigakubo Station. It is recommended to go in October. There are vineyards in October and you can pick grapes freely. #日本旅行 #东京自由旅行 #晚餐點 #夏時間點 #国外遊 #我想住

Genjuin Betsuin 92 Ashigakubo, Yokoze-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama The bronze seated statue of Ashigakubo Daikannon stands 18.5m above ground. It is located on a hilltop up a steep slope from Ashigakubo Station, and offers a good view of Ashigakubo Station and Mt. Buko. The road to the wind continues from here.

Kotohira Shrine On the way to Mt. Hinatayama from Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line via the Kaze no Michi Course, you will come across Kotohira Shrine, located at the fork in the road with the Rokuban Toge Course. After passing through the torii gate and climbing the stairs surrounded by cedar trees, you will arrive at Kotohira Shrine. You can continue past this shrine to reach Mt. Hinatayama.

Between the Shiraishi Pass junction and Ono Pass on the Akatani-Oono Pass hiking trail from Ashigakubo Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line, there is a paragliding runway with a great view. Apparently you can see the Skytree, but even though the weather was nice, I couldn't see it, probably because my eyesight is poor. You can also see paragliders swaying in the distance, which is a refreshing place. There are steep slopes and stairs, so you'll need comfortable shoes and clothing. #Breathtaking views

Akaya Kannondo (Ubagami Kannon) From Ashigakubo Station, take R299 towards Hanno, and there will be a staircase on the left of Akaya Tunnel. At the top of the stairs, there is a sign indicating that the temple is a tangible cultural property designated by the town. I tried looking through a small window to see if the statues of the 16 good deities were inside, but I couldn't see them. 1144-1 Oaza Ashigakubo, Yokoze-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture About a 30-minute walk from Ashigakubo Station.

Nekoya Castle Ruins A historic site designated by Yokoze Town, located at 631 Yokoze, Yokoze Town, Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture. This castle ruin is a mountain castle located at the end of a ridge extending north from Mt. Otsukue, surrounded by the Yokoze River, Ikukawa River, Kojimazawa, and Shirotanizawa. It is said that Watanabe Kanmon and Asami Iga no Kami, vassals of Hojo Ujinao, resided in the castle. It was surrendered in 1590 and then abandoned. The view from the top was beautiful, but the sun sets early, so you need to start climbing early before it gets pitch black. The stairs are quite steep, so I recommend wearing sneakers.