What to See in Chichibu: Local Experiences and Hidden Gems

Just a short train trip outside of Tokyo, but surrounded by the green mountains of western Saitama, Chichibu offers a refreshing change of pace from the big city! Although this quiet destination can feel a little off the beaten path for travelers unfamiliar with the name, some of Japan’s most ancient legends tell of mythical princes trekking through the mountains of Chichibu, and the area’s Buddhist temples have been attracting pilgrims for centuries. For modern international travelers planning a winter visit to Japan, the spectacular Chichibu Night Festival provides ample reason to visit the area and join the boisterous crowds as enormous traditional “parade floats” are pulled through the streets. Local Japanese tourists will tell you, however, that Chichibu is worth the trip no matter when your travel plans may be.

Chichibu might be a little hidden gem and an easy day trip from Tokyo, but it’s home to enough fascinating sights to stay for days: some of Japan’s most majestically decorated Shinto shrines, a spiritual pilgrimage linking 34 Buddhist temples, farms known for all-you-can-eat strawberry picking, cozy local comfort food, whisky bars and distilleries, wineries and wine festivals, not to mention the quaint old-fashioned streets and enticing mountain trails. There’s more than enough to put together your own perfect trip, but to get you started, this Chichibu itinerary combines some of the Japankuru team’s favorite spots—a morning in the mountains followed by an afternoon exploring the town on foot.

Our Easy Chichibu Itinerary: From Tokyo to Chichibu on the Laview

This day in Chichibu starts at Ikebukuro Station, a convenient stop on Tokyo’s Yamanote Line (among many others), and a direct connection to Seibu Chichibu Station. We recommend heading out bright and early and taking Seibu Railway’s Laview Limited Express, which not only goes from Ikebukuro to Chichibu in about 80 minutes, but is surprisingly fun in and of itself. The bright yellow interiors are enough to add to the excitement, and once the train starts moving, it’s hard to tear your eyes away from the enormous windows, as the scenery changes from city streets to rice paddies outside. (You might even catch Mt. Fuji in the distance!)

The Best Way to Travel From Tokyo to Chichibu

For the best deal on transportation, get yourself a Seibu 1Day Pass ahead of time (available on Klook) so you have free use of all the Seibu Railway lines all day (Tamagawa Line not included). The pass is only available to foreign passport holders, and at 1,500 yen (adults), it’s already cheaper than the basic fare from Ikebukuro to Seibu Chichibu Station and back. Seats on the Laview Limited Express are entirely reserved, however, which means they require a separate limited express ticket. You can get these online or at the Seibu Tourist Information Center Ikebukuro in Ikebukuro Station, 900 yen one way for adults.

A Refreshing Morning at Mitsumine Shrine

Outside Seibu-Chichibu Station, head to bus stop 5 for the Seibu Kanko Bus M4 express service bound for Mitsumine Shrine—a gorgeous hidden treasure tucked away in the mountains. The bus is another 80 minutes or so, and it only comes about once an hour, so you’ll want to check times before you arrive. (We also recommend lining up at least 15 minutes before departure, because the bus can and will fill up quickly, and you might end up standing the whole way—an experience none of us would like to repeat.)

Nestled in the mountains over a thousand meters above sea level, Mitsumine Shrine feels far removed from the city, but there’s no doubting it’s worth the trek. In Japan, people often say it’s the most powerful spiritual spot in the Kanto region surrounding Tokyo, and Mitsumine Shrine joins Chichibu Shrine and Hodosan Shrine as the “Chichibu Sansha” or “Three Great Shrines of Chichibu.”

Mitsumine Shrine’s history predates written records, although stories tell us that the legendary prince Yamato Takeru founded it around 1,900 years ago. These days, visitors come to see the unusual triple-torii shrine gate flanked by snarling wolves, worshipped as messengers for the gods, as well as the richly decorated and colorfully painted shrine halls, covered in whimsical plant and animal designs. Make sure to pay your respects to the enormous 800-year-old cedar, and stop by the gift shop for some fun wolf-themed souvenirs before you leave.

Mitsumine Shrine (三峯神社)
298-1 Mitsumine, Chichibu, Saitama
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00
Official Website (jp)

Buta-Miso-don for Lunch at Chichibu Shinsekai

Head back down the mountain by bus, then walk about 13 minutes from the station (or take another quick bus) to Chichibu Shinsekai to try their buta-miso-don, a bowl of steaming white rice topped with intensely savory and faintly sweet slices of miso-marinated pork—flavors accented by a sprinkle of shredded pickled ginger.

The miso-pork bowl is a Chichibu classic with surprisingly deep roots. Locals have been hunting wild boar since ancient times, when locally-produced miso was used as a means of preserving the meat, and the tradition has been passed through the generations to become the richly flavorful pork dish seen today. Chichibu Shinsekai is run by a local butcher’s shop specializing in pork, and it’s known for its satisfyingly thick cuts and comfortable interiors, but there are a number of other shops serving the dish in the area. No matter where you choose, meat-eaters will not want to miss this mouth-watering local specialty.

Chichibu Shinsekai (お食事処 秩父豚味噌丼 新世界)
4-1 Motomachi, Chichibu, Saitama
Hours:
　Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri: 11:30 – 15:00 / 16:30 – 18:00 (evening is takeout only)
　Sat/Sun/Holidays: 11:30 – 16:00
　*Closed Tuesdays. Last order 30 min prior to closing.
Official Website (jp)

Discover the Carvings at Chichibu Shrine

Take a quick post-lunch walk to the nearby Chichibu Shrine in the town center to discover the beauty of this inconspicuous shrine. While most international travelers have never heard of it, the main hall of Chichibu Shrine (as it is now) was reconstructed in 1592 with the support of Tokugawa Ieyasu, no less than one of the three “Great Unifiers” of Japan. It’s also another of the Three Great Shrines of Chichibu (alongside Mitsumine Shrine and Hodosan Shrine), and the host of the Chichibu Night Festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Intricate carvings are a rarity for Japanese shrines—most of the country’s Shinto shrine halls are elegantly minimalist—but Chichibu Shrine is another unusual example of this colorful form of decoration. Look closely, and you’ll find legendary animals crawling up the sides and beautiful carved birds under the eaves! The dragons carved on the sides are particularly famous, as the stars of local legends, and “Three Energetic Monkeys” are a fun reimagining of the Three Wise Monkeys seen over in Nikko. After doing a loop of the main shrine hall to see the carved embellishments, try out Chichibu Shrine’s popular “mizu-mikuji” fortunes, which reveal your destiny after being dipped in the waters of the little shrine pond.

Chichibu Shrine (秩父神社)
1-3 Banbamachi, Chichibu, Saitama
Hours: 8:30 – 17:00
Official Website (jp)

Retro Shops and Sweet Saitama Street Food on Banba Street

From Chichibu Shrine, wander down Banba Street, the traditional approach to the shrine. This sleepy small-town street is a far cry from the craziness of Tokyo’s Nakamise Street (a temple approach in Asakusa), offering a little of the old-fashioned atmosphere and street food, but without the crowds. Older shopfronts, cafes, and businesses occupying registered historic buildings make this a good place to slow down and enjoy the pleasingly retro vibes. If you’re ready for a sweet treat after lunch, this is a fun place to take a short snack break before continuing to see more of Chichibu—if you’ve got a sweet tooth, we recommend the creme-brulee sweet potatoes.

Banba Street (番場通り)
Chichibu, Saitama

A Quick Trial of Chichibu’s Temple Pilgrimage

Remember how we said that Chichibu is a famous pilgrimage destination? Since ancient times, the region’s towering cliffs, unusual rock formations, hulking mountains like Mt. Buko, and abundant sources of fresh water have earned it a reputation as a place where the gods reside, and when Buddhism came to Japan, the traditions became intertwined. Even before any formal pilgrimage routes were established, Chichibu was a place where the presence of gods was strongly felt, with a deep foundation of faith.

The 34-temple Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage would take at least a full day to complete, and it includes some fairly intense patches hiking through the mountains, but you can get a little taste of the experience by stopping at a few of the more conveniently located temples in the area around Seibu Chichibu Station! If you enjoy the experience, or find it particularly meaningful to you, you can always come back another day to complete the pilgrimage route.

Jigenji is temple 13 on the Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage, and it’s also an easy walk or bus ride from Banba Street, making it a good entry point. Enter through its black gate and look for the Yakushido worship hall venerating Yakushi Nyorai, said to bless worshippers with healthy eyes. Jigenji Temple also has a small hall where pushing a wheel (with some help from your friends) is said to be worth a whole year of prayer.

▶︎ When the Japankuru team visited, we happened to arrive right in time to catch Chichibu’s rare Year of the Horse celebrations, when strings were tied to the Buddha’s finger to offer visitors a more “direct” connection.

Jigenji (慈眼寺)
26-7 Higashimachi, Chichibu, Saitama
Hours: Mar~Oct 8:00 – 17:00 | Nov~Feb 8:00 – 16:00
Official Website (jp)

Chichibu Bar Hopping

As evening approaches, another side of Chichibu is revealed: nightlife! The city is actually known for its wineries, sake breweries, and—most of all—its whisky distilleries, with Ichiro’s Malt being the city’s most famous export. With such an abundance of good drinks comes a wealth of great drinking establishments—we recommend taking a quick walk over to Highlander Inn Chichibu, and making it a starting point for exploring the town’s many local watering holes.

Constructed inside a traditional Japanese house, the Highlander Inn is actually themed after a Scottish pub, and the menu offers a fun mix of Chichibu whisky flights, fun cocktails, and Scottish food. Grab a seat at the bar to chat with the bartender (always ready to guide you through their selection of rare limited-edition whisky bottles), or relax on the smooth tatami-mat floor with a glass or two of Japanese whisky… before moving on to the next drinking establishment!

Highlander Inn Chichibu (ハイランダー イン 秩父)
16-1 Higashimachi, Chichibu, Saitama
Hours: 15:00 – 23:00
　*Closed Mondays.
Official Website (jp/en)

Onsen Baths & Souvenirs at Matsuri no Yu Hot Springs

If you’re not too tipsy by the time you get back to the station, the very best way to bring the night to a close is a dip in the water at Matsuri no Yu, a hot spring bathing facility conveniently located right next to Seibu-Chichibu Station. The indoor and open-air baths are certainly an inviting reward after walking around all day. (Remember, these are Japanese-style hot spring baths, so no swimsuits allowed. Wash before soaking, and definitely don’t get in the water if you’re feeling drunk, as it can be dangerous!)

Whether you opt for the bath or not, you’ll still want to check out Matsuri no Yu’s massive souvenir shop, which is an ideal place to look for Saitama souvenirs! You’ll find a whole section dedicated to Chichibu’s adorable mascot, Potekuma-kun, as well as a number of snacks based on the miso-covered potatoes that provide inspiration for the character. (The miso potato chips are so good, you’ll be tempted to return to Chichibu just to get your hands on another bag.) Get there before the popular Chichibu mochi sells out, and you can also pick up some decadently soft rice cakes for the trip back to Tokyo.

If you’ve got some time to spare (or some extra stomach space), stop by the ice cream shop Setaria to try all kinds of unique local Chichibu flavors, including Ichiro’s Malt whiskey and Chichibu Nishiki sake, as well as ice cream made with locally-grown fruit. Or head straight to the tasting area in the gift shop to try all kinds of locally-made Chichibu wine, sake, and beer!

Seibu-Chichibu Ekimae Onsen Matsurinoyu Hot Spring (西武秩父駅前温泉 祭の湯)
1-16-15 Nosakamachi, Chichibu, Saitama
Hours:
　Hot Spring Area: 10:00 – 22:00 pm (final entry 9:30 pm)
　Dining Area: weekdays 11:00 – 18:30 / weekends & holidays 11:00 – 19:30
　Souvenir Area: weekdays 9:00 – 18:30 / weekends & holidays 9:00 – 19:30
Official Website (jp)

Make Time for a Relaxing Day Trip From Tokyo, From Unique Shrines & Temples to Local Delicacies

From forest shrines to retro streets and neighborhood pubs, Chichibu packs a whole lot of variety into a single day trip from Tokyo! Start early, keep an eye on the bus schedules, and remember to book your return Laview ticket with plenty of time to enjoy the evening before leaving Chichibu!

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