Riverside and Hodosan after Chichibu culture?

Visit the Railway Museum or bonsai and cartoons in Omiya, then move to Chichibu for two nights. Give the shrine and festival exhibits one day and Nagatoro's riverside and Hodosan another, returning to Shinjuku via Kumagaya on the final day.

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Choose an itinerary for 5 days / 4 nights

5 days / 4 nights A

From the Railway Museum to Chichibu and Nagatoro

Stay one night each in Kawagoe and Omiya, then two in Chichibu. Move to Chichibu after the Railway Museum, with separate days for the shrine and festival exhibits and for Nagatoro's riverside and Hodosan. This longer itinerary chooses rail exhibits instead of bonsai and cartoons.

Day 1: Kitain and old streets

Visit the temple first, then continue to the old streets for food and a walk.

  1. Shinjuku Station → JR Kawagoe Station

    Take a Kawagoe-bound JR Saikyo and Kawagoe Line service from Shinjuku. Get off at Kawagoe and use the east exit. An ordinary one-way paper ticket costs JPY 810. Hon-Kawagoe and Kawagoeshi are different stations.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculations

  2. Kawagoe Station → Kitain Temple

    Visit Kitain first for temple buildings and the Five Hundred Rakan statues. It is about 20 minutes on foot from Kawagoe Station; adult admission is JPY 400. On weekdays from 1 March to 23 November, the temple opens from 9 am to 4.30 pm, with last admission at 4 pm. Winter visits finish earlier. Follow on-site diversions during gate restoration work.

    Official English guideVisiting KitainGate restoration notice

  3. Kitain Temple → Kurazukuri Street and Toki no Kane

    After the temple, head to the old streets for a meal and a look around the kurazukuri buildings and shops. Toki no Kane rings at 6 am, noon, 3 pm and 6 pm. Visitors do not climb inside the bell tower, and shops have their own hours. After walking and eating, return to your booked Kawagoe accommodation using the route for its address.

    Tourism association guide

Check the day's facility closures and admission deadlines before choosing the order of your old-street walk.

Day 2: castle and museum, then move to Omiya

After Kawagoe's history exhibits, move your accommodation to Omiya for the next day's visits.

  1. Kawagoe old streets → Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace

    Choose Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace to see the surviving castle building. Walk to Satsu-no-Tsuji north of Kurazukuri Street, then head east towards city hall to the palace. The official walk from Satsu-no-Tsuji is about 10 minutes. Adult admission is JPY 100; it opens from 9 am to 5 pm, with last admission at 4.30 pm. Avoid closures including Mondays and the fourth Friday. This is not a castle-tower climb.

    Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace visitor guideCity museum and Honmaru Palace 2026 opening calendarWalking map showing the hotel

  2. Honmaru Palace → Kawagoe City Museum

    At nearby Kawagoe City Museum, explore local history and kurazukuri architecture. Adult permanent-display admission is JPY 200; it opens from 9 am to 5 pm, with last admission at 4.30 pm. Separate palace and museum tickets total JPY 300, distinct from museum and art museum combined tickets.

    Kawagoe City Museum prices and closuresKawagoe City's combined-ticket combinations

  3. JR Kawagoe Station → Omiya Station

    After Kawagoe sightseeing, take a JR Kawagoe and Saikyo Line service to Omiya. The one-way paper fare is JPY 350. Move to your booked accommodation and spend the night there, starting the next day's sightseeing in Omiya.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculations

The palace and city museum close on Mondays, the fourth Friday and other dates. Check the official calendars to ensure both are open that day.

Railway Museum, then Chichibu in the afternoon

See the rail exhibits before moving to Chichibu. Compare four-day A with its Omiya stay if you want more time at the museum.

  1. New Shuttle Omiya Station → Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station

    For the railway vehicle exhibits, take a New Shuttle train towards Uchijuku and get off at the first stop, Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan. The one-way paper fare is JPY 190; the museum is about one minute on foot from the station.

    New Shuttle faresJune 2026 museum and transport guide

  2. Railway Museum entrance → Visit the exhibits

    Explore the Railway Museum's vehicles, science and history displays, allowing time for a meal and rest. The Railway Museum opens from 10 am to 5 pm, with last admission at 4.30 pm. Adult same-day admission is JPY 1,600, or JPY 1,500 when bought by the previous day. Activities such as driving experiences have separate booking conditions and extra fees.

    Museum admissionMuseum's 2026 opening calendar

  3. Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station → Omiya Station

    After visiting, take the New Shuttle back towards Omiya. The one-way paper fare is JPY 190. On a Chichibu travel day, shorten the museum visit and check your Kumagaya connection first.

    New Shuttle faresOmiya-bound timetable from Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan

  4. Omiya Station → Chichibu Station via Kumagaya

    Take a JR Takasaki Line train from Omiya towards Kumagaya and change there to Chichibu Railway for Chichibu Station. Calculate the ordinary JR fare of JPY 620 and Chichibu Railway fare of JPY 950 separately. This is a different station from Seibu-Chichibu. Use both operators' timetables for your date to plan the transfer and arrival, then head to your booked Chichibu accommodation.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsChichibu Railway's currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fare table by station

The Railway Museum normally closes on Tuesdays and over New Year; check exceptions in the official opening calendar. Check activity booking conditions separately.

Chichibu Shrine and festival exhibits

Visit the nearby shrine and festival exhibits, then stay a second night at the same Chichibu accommodation. Travel to Nagatoro the next day.

  1. Chichibu Station → Chichibu Shrine

    Start at Chichibu Shrine for buildings and carvings, about three minutes on foot from Chichibu Railway's Chichibu Station. This is a standard worship and exterior visit; prayers and shrine items cost extra. Tourism information lists gate access from 5 am to 8 pm, starting at 6 am in winter.

    Chichibu Shrine official transport guideSaitama tourism organisation's Chichibu Shrine gate hours

  2. Around Chichibu Shrine → Chichibu Festival Hall

    See festival floats, materials and recreated footage at Chichibu Festival Hall. Adult admission is JPY 500. Festival Hall opens from 9 am to 5 pm from April to November and from 10 am to 5 pm from December to March, with last admission at 4.30 pm. This differs from attending the festival itself. Afterwards, eat nearby and explore the streets, then return to the same Chichibu accommodation for your second night.

    Chichibu Festival Hall hours, closures and adult admission

Festival Hall closures include the fourth and fifth Tuesdays from March to November, Tuesdays from December to February and the New Year period. Check official public holiday and festival exceptions.

Final day: Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan, then Shinjuku

See the riverside and mountain views before returning to Shinjuku. Check out of your Chichibu accommodation and take your luggage to Nagatoro Tourist Information Office. The tourist office opens from 9 am to 5 pm; storage starts at JPY 100 per item. Check accepted sizes, charges and availability that day. Storage is unavailable from 29 to 31 December and during temporary bad-weather closures; collect luggage before 5 pm. If storage is unavailable, skip Nagatoro sightseeing and return with your luggage via Kumagaya to Shinjuku. Shorten visits if weather or services do not suit the plan.

  1. Chichibu Station → Nagatoro Station

    Take a Kumagaya-bound Chichibu Railway train to Nagatoro for riverside and mountain views. The ordinary one-way fare is JPY 550. On this final day, continue towards Kumagaya and Shinjuku after sightseeing rather than returning to Chichibu.

    Chichibu Railway's currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fare table by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Office hours and luggage storage

  2. Nagatoro Station → Iwadatami

    Iwadatami is about five minutes on foot from the station. See the riverside rocks and scenery, then return to the station area for a meal. Skip the riverside walk if rain or high water makes rocks slippery or access is restricted. Paid boats and rafting are excluded.

    Nagatoro Tourism Association's Iwadatami access

  3. Nagatoro Station area → Hodosan Ropeway lower station

    The ropeway's lower station is about 20 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station. Free shuttles have separate operating dates and are not part of the main transport plan.

    Hodosan Ropeway walk from Nagatoro Station

  4. Lower station → Mountain visit, then Nagatoro Station

    Take the ropeway up and back for JPY 1,200 per adult to enjoy the surrounding scenery. Standard services run 9.40 am–5 pm, varying with season, crowds and weather. Check the seasonal timetable and suspension notices for your date. Walk back towards Nagatoro Station after descending.

    Hodosan Ropeway prices and standard timetableHodosan Ropeway walk from Nagatoro Station

  5. Nagatoro Station → Shinjuku Station via Kumagaya

    Collect your luggage from the tourist office and head to Nagatoro Station. Take Chichibu Railway to Kumagaya and change to JR. The Chichibu Railway one-way fare is JPY 850; the through JR paper fare from Kumagaya to Shinjuku is JPY 1,230. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train via Omiya that stops at Shinjuku. This differs from leaving Omiya's gates and buying two separate tickets. Check both timetables for actual connections on your date.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsChichibu Railway's currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fare table by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Office hours and luggage storage

Shorten riverside and mountain visits to suit weather and services. Match the return ropeway journey and both rail timetables so you can collect luggage before 5 pm and continue towards Kumagaya and Shinjuku.

Transport and admission costs: JPY 9,740 per adult

Costs included in the calculation: Shinjuku–Kawagoe JPY 810 + Kawagoe–Omiya JPY 350 + Omiya–Kumagaya JPY 620 + Kumagaya–Chichibu JPY 950 + Chichibu–Nagatoro JPY 550 + Nagatoro–Kumagaya JPY 850 + Kumagaya–Shinjuku JPY 1,230 + Kitain JPY 400 + Honmaru Palace JPY 100 + city museum JPY 200 + return New Shuttle fare JPY 380 + Railway Museum same-day ticket JPY 1,600 + Festival Hall JPY 500 + return Hodosan Ropeway fare JPY 1,200 = JPY 9,740.

Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, travel to and beyond Shinjuku, extra facilities, paid activities and luggage storage at lockers or tourist offices cost extra. Shrine prayers and items, river boats and rafting are excluded. Fares use ordinary paper tickets; recalculate if changing routes, seats or discounts.

Buying the Railway Museum's JPY 1,500 advance ticket by the previous day reduces this same-day-ticket budget by JPY 100. Activity bookings and paid experiences remain separate.

JR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsVisiting KitainKawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace visitor guideKawagoe City Museum prices and closuresMuseum admissionNew Shuttle faresChichibu Festival Hall hours, closures and adult admissionChichibu Railway ordinary fare table by stationHodosan Ropeway prices and standard timetable

5 days / 4 nights B

From bonsai and cartoons to Chichibu and Nagatoro

Stay one night each in Kawagoe and Omiya, then two in Chichibu. Visit bonsai and cartoons together before moving to Chichibu in the afternoon. Compared with four-day B, stay an extra Chichibu night and see Nagatoro's riverside and Hodosan the day after the shrine and festival exhibits.

Day 1: Kitain and old streets

Visit the temple first, then continue to the old streets for food and a walk.

  1. Shinjuku Station → JR Kawagoe Station

    Take a Kawagoe-bound JR Saikyo and Kawagoe Line service from Shinjuku. Get off at Kawagoe and use the east exit. An ordinary one-way paper ticket costs JPY 810. Hon-Kawagoe and Kawagoeshi are different stations.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculations

  2. Kawagoe Station → Kitain Temple

    Visit Kitain first for temple buildings and the Five Hundred Rakan statues. It is about 20 minutes on foot from Kawagoe Station; adult admission is JPY 400. On weekdays from 1 March to 23 November, the temple opens from 9 am to 4.30 pm, with last admission at 4 pm. Winter visits finish earlier. Follow on-site diversions during gate restoration work.

    Official English guideVisiting KitainGate restoration notice

  3. Kitain Temple → Kurazukuri Street and Toki no Kane

    After the temple, head to the old streets for a meal and a look around the kurazukuri buildings and shops. Toki no Kane rings at 6 am, noon, 3 pm and 6 pm. Visitors do not climb inside the bell tower, and shops have their own hours. After walking and eating, return to your booked Kawagoe accommodation using the route for its address.

    Tourism association guide

Check the day's facility closures and admission deadlines before choosing the order of your old-street walk.

Day 2: castle and museum, then move to Omiya

After Kawagoe's history exhibits, move your accommodation to Omiya for the next day's visits.

  1. Kawagoe old streets → Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace

    Choose Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace to see the surviving castle building. Walk to Satsu-no-Tsuji north of Kurazukuri Street, then head east towards city hall to the palace. The official walk from Satsu-no-Tsuji is about 10 minutes. Adult admission is JPY 100; it opens from 9 am to 5 pm, with last admission at 4.30 pm. Avoid closures including Mondays and the fourth Friday. This is not a castle-tower climb.

    Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace visitor guideCity museum and Honmaru Palace 2026 opening calendarWalking map showing the hotel

  2. Honmaru Palace → Kawagoe City Museum

    At nearby Kawagoe City Museum, explore local history and kurazukuri architecture. Adult permanent-display admission is JPY 200; it opens from 9 am to 5 pm, with last admission at 4.30 pm. Separate palace and museum tickets total JPY 300, distinct from museum and art museum combined tickets.

    Kawagoe City Museum prices and closuresKawagoe City's combined-ticket combinations

  3. JR Kawagoe Station → Omiya Station

    After Kawagoe sightseeing, take a JR Kawagoe and Saikyo Line service to Omiya. The one-way paper fare is JPY 350. Move to your booked accommodation and spend the night there, starting the next day's sightseeing in Omiya.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculations

The palace and city museum close on Mondays, the fourth Friday and other dates. Check the official calendars to ensure both are open that day.

Bonsai, cartoons and the park, then Chichibu in the afternoon

Visit bonsai and cartoons together before moving to Chichibu. Choose extra nights in Omiya if you want more time for walking and exhibits.

  1. Omiya Station east exit → Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

    For bonsai and art exhibits, walk via Hikawa Shrine, Omiya Park and the bonsai village to the museum. The officially recommended walking route takes about 45 minutes, excluding visits and rests.

    2026 bonsai museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya

  2. Bonsai Art Museum → Cartoon Art Museum

    Explore the indoor exhibits and garden at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama. Adult admission is JPY 310. The bonsai museum opens from 9 am to 4.30 pm from March to October, with last admission at 4 pm. From November to February, it opens from 9 am to 4 pm, with last admission at 3.30 pm. Afterwards, use the official map to find the Cartoon Art Museum on Kaede-dori and walk there.

    Bonsai museum prices, seasonal hours and Thursday public holiday exception2026 bonsai museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya

  3. Cartoon Art Museum → Visit the cartoon exhibits

    Explore Kitazawa Rakuten materials and the day's special exhibition at Saitama Municipal Cartoon Art Museum. Admission is free, and the museum opens from 9 am to 4.30 pm. Talks and activities follow separate schedules.

    Cartoon museum visits, access and closures2026 Rakuten Collection II free exhibition

  4. Bonsai village → Omiya Station

    After the museums, eat nearby and return to Omiya Station along the same route through the park and Hikawa Shrine. The free Japanese garden opens from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm; stop briefly if time allows. Shorten the park walk if catching a train to Chichibu.

    2026 bonsai museum guide and 45-minute walk from OmiyaOmiya Park Japanese garden hours and free admission

  5. Omiya Station → Chichibu Station via Kumagaya

    Take a JR Takasaki Line train from Omiya towards Kumagaya and change there to Chichibu Railway for Chichibu Station. Calculate the ordinary JR fare of JPY 620 and Chichibu Railway fare of JPY 950 separately. This is a different station from Seibu-Chichibu. Use both operators' timetables for your date to plan the transfer and arrival, then head to your booked Chichibu accommodation.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsChichibu Railway's currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fare table by station

The bonsai museum normally closes Thursdays, while the cartoon museum closes Mondays and weekdays following public holidays, among other closures. Choose a day when both are open.

Chichibu Shrine and festival exhibits

Visit the nearby shrine and festival exhibits, then stay a second night at the same Chichibu accommodation. Travel to Nagatoro the next day.

  1. Chichibu Station → Chichibu Shrine

    Start at Chichibu Shrine for buildings and carvings, about three minutes on foot from Chichibu Railway's Chichibu Station. This is a standard worship and exterior visit; prayers and shrine items cost extra. Tourism information lists gate access from 5 am to 8 pm, starting at 6 am in winter.

    Chichibu Shrine official transport guideSaitama tourism organisation's Chichibu Shrine gate hours

  2. Around Chichibu Shrine → Chichibu Festival Hall

    See festival floats, materials and recreated footage at Chichibu Festival Hall. Adult admission is JPY 500. Festival Hall opens from 9 am to 5 pm from April to November and from 10 am to 5 pm from December to March, with last admission at 4.30 pm. This differs from attending the festival itself. Afterwards, eat nearby and explore the streets, then return to the same Chichibu accommodation for your second night.

    Chichibu Festival Hall hours, closures and adult admission

Festival Hall closures include the fourth and fifth Tuesdays from March to November, Tuesdays from December to February and the New Year period. Check official public holiday and festival exceptions.

Final day: Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan, then Shinjuku

See the riverside and mountain views before returning to Shinjuku. Check out of your Chichibu accommodation and take your luggage to Nagatoro Tourist Information Office. The tourist office opens from 9 am to 5 pm; storage starts at JPY 100 per item. Check accepted sizes, charges and availability that day. Storage is unavailable from 29 to 31 December and during temporary bad-weather closures; collect luggage before 5 pm. If storage is unavailable, skip Nagatoro sightseeing and return with your luggage via Kumagaya to Shinjuku. Shorten visits if weather or services do not suit the plan.

  1. Chichibu Station → Nagatoro Station

    Take a Kumagaya-bound Chichibu Railway train to Nagatoro for riverside and mountain views. The ordinary one-way fare is JPY 550. On this final day, continue towards Kumagaya and Shinjuku after sightseeing rather than returning to Chichibu.

    Chichibu Railway's currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fare table by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Office hours and luggage storage

  2. Nagatoro Station → Iwadatami

    Iwadatami is about five minutes on foot from the station. See the riverside rocks and scenery, then return to the station area for a meal. Skip the riverside walk if rain or high water makes rocks slippery or access is restricted. Paid boats and rafting are excluded.

    Nagatoro Tourism Association's Iwadatami access

  3. Nagatoro Station area → Hodosan Ropeway lower station

    The ropeway's lower station is about 20 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station. Free shuttles have separate operating dates and are not part of the main transport plan.

    Hodosan Ropeway walk from Nagatoro Station

  4. Lower station → Mountain visit, then Nagatoro Station

    Take the ropeway up and back for JPY 1,200 per adult to enjoy the surrounding scenery. Standard services run 9.40 am–5 pm, varying with season, crowds and weather. Check the seasonal timetable and suspension notices for your date. Walk back towards Nagatoro Station after descending.

    Hodosan Ropeway prices and standard timetableHodosan Ropeway walk from Nagatoro Station

  5. Nagatoro Station → Shinjuku Station via Kumagaya

    Collect your luggage from the tourist office and head to Nagatoro Station. Take Chichibu Railway to Kumagaya and change to JR. The Chichibu Railway one-way fare is JPY 850; the through JR paper fare from Kumagaya to Shinjuku is JPY 1,230. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train via Omiya that stops at Shinjuku. This differs from leaving Omiya's gates and buying two separate tickets. Check both timetables for actual connections on your date.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsChichibu Railway's currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fare table by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Office hours and luggage storage

Shorten riverside and mountain visits to suit weather and services. Match the return ropeway journey and both rail timetables so you can collect luggage before 5 pm and continue towards Kumagaya and Shinjuku.

Transport and admission costs: JPY 8,070 per adult

Costs included in the calculation: Shinjuku–Kawagoe JPY 810 + Kawagoe–Omiya JPY 350 + Omiya–Kumagaya JPY 620 + Kumagaya–Chichibu JPY 950 + Chichibu–Nagatoro JPY 550 + Nagatoro–Kumagaya JPY 850 + Kumagaya–Shinjuku JPY 1,230 + Kitain JPY 400 + Honmaru Palace JPY 100 + city museum JPY 200 + bonsai museum JPY 310 + Festival Hall JPY 500 + return Hodosan Ropeway fare JPY 1,200 = JPY 8,070.

Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, travel to and beyond Shinjuku, extra facilities, paid activities and luggage storage at lockers or tourist offices cost extra. Shrine prayers and items, river boats and rafting are excluded. Fares use ordinary paper tickets; recalculate if changing routes, seats or discounts.

JR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsVisiting KitainKawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace visitor guideKawagoe City Museum prices and closuresBonsai museum prices, seasonal hours and Thursday public holiday exceptionChichibu Festival Hall hours, closures and adult admissionChichibu Railway ordinary fare table by stationHodosan Ropeway prices and standard timetable

Frequently asked questions

Can I follow the same itinerary when Hodosan Ropeway is closed?

Omit the mountain visit when the ropeway is suspended. The operator lists an inspection closure from 7 to 26 December 2026. On other dates, check actual services and weather, and shorten final-day sightseeing around riverside access and return trains.

Hodosan December 2026 inspection suspensionHodosan Ropeway ordinary fares and timetable

How do I return to Shinjuku after Nagatoro?

Take Chichibu Railway from Nagatoro to Kumagaya and change to JR for Shinjuku. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train via Omiya that stops at Shinjuku. The JPY 850 Chichibu Railway fare and JPY 1,230 through JR paper fare from Kumagaya to Shinjuku are separate amounts. Check both date-specific timetables for connections. Shorten the mountain visit if descending late and prioritise your return.

Chichibu Railway ordinary fare table by stationChichibu Railway's currently linked weekday timetableJR 2026 fare tableSaitama rail operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsJR East official station timetable search

Official sources and check dates