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Follow Chichibu culture with riverside scenery and Hodosan

After the Railway Museum or bonsai and manga displays in Omiya, move to Chichibu for two nights. Give the shrine and festival displays one day and Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan another. On the last day, return via Kumagaya to Shinjuku.

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Choose a 5 days / 4 nights itinerary

5 days / 4 nights A

Railway Museum, then Chichibu and Nagatoro

Stay one night in Kawagoe, one in Omiya and two in Chichibu. After visiting the Railway Museum, move to Chichibu that afternoon. Visit the shrine and festival displays on one day, then Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan on another. This longer course chooses railway displays instead of bonsai and manga.

Railway Museum, then Chichibu and Nagatoro →5 days / 4 nights B

Bonsai and manga, then Chichibu and Nagatoro

Stay one night in Kawagoe, one in Omiya and two in Chichibu. Visit the bonsai and manga museums together, then travel to Chichibu that afternoon. Compared with three-night course B, this gives you another Chichibu night: visit the shrine and festival displays, then Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan the following day.

Bonsai and manga, then Chichibu and Nagatoro →
5 days / 4 nights A

Railway Museum, then Chichibu and Nagatoro

Stay one night in Kawagoe, one in Omiya and two in Chichibu. After visiting the Railway Museum, move to Chichibu that afternoon. Visit the shrine and festival displays on one day, then Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan on another. This longer course chooses railway displays instead of bonsai and manga.

Day 1: Kitain and old streets

Visit the temple first, then continue to old streets for meals and walks.

  1. Shinjuku Station → JR Kawagoe Station

    From Shinjuku, take a Kawagoe-bound JR Saikyo/Kawagoe Line train. Alight at Kawagoe and use the east exit. An ordinary paper single costs 810 yen. Hon-Kawagoe and Kawagoeshi are different stations.

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

  2. Kawagoe Station → Kitain

    Visit Kitain first for temple buildings and the Five Hundred Rakan statues. It is about 20 minutes on foot from Kawagoe Station, with adult admission of 400 yen. March 1–November 23 weekday hours are 09:00–16:30, reception until 16:00. Winter closing is earlier. Follow on-site diversions during temple-gate repairs.

    Official English guideKitain visitor informationTemple gate restoration notice

  3. Kitain → Kurazukuri Street and Toki no Kane

    After visiting, go to the old streets for a meal and a look at storehouse-style buildings and shops. Toki no Kane rings at 06:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00. This is not a climb inside the bell tower; shop hours vary. After walking and eating, return to your booked Kawagoe accommodation using its actual address.

    Tourism association guidance

Check day-one facility closures and reception deadlines before choosing your old-street walking order.

Day 2: castle and museum, then move to Omiya

Explore Kawagoe’s history displays, then move to your accommodation in Omiya. Visit Omiya’s exhibitions the next day.

  1. Kawagoe old streets → Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten

    Choose Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten for the surviving castle building. Walk to Fudanotsuji north of Kurazukuri Street, then go east towards City Hall. Official guidance gives about ten minutes from Fudanotsuji to Honmaru Goten. Adults pay 100 yen. Open 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30. Avoid Monday, fourth-Friday and other closures. You visit the surviving palace building here; there is no castle tower to climb.

    Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guideCity Museum and Honmaru Goten 2026 opening calendarWalking map showing the hotel

  2. Honmaru Goten → Kawagoe City Museum

    Visit nearby Kawagoe City Museum for local history and storehouse-style architecture. Adult permanent-display admission is 200 yen. Open 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30. Separate Honmaru Goten and museum tickets total 300 yen; this differs from the museum/art-museum combined ticket.

    Kawagoe City Museum fees and closuresKawagoe City combined-ticket coverage

  3. JR Kawagoe Station → Omiya Station

    After Kawagoe visits, take a JR Kawagoe/Saikyo Line service to Omiya; paper single fare is 350 yen. Go to your booked accommodation for the night. Tomorrow’s sightseeing starts in Omiya.

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

Castle and city museum closures include Mondays and fourth Fridays. Check official calendars to ensure both are open that day.

Railway Museum, then afternoon travel to Chichibu

See railway displays, then move to Chichibu. For a longer museum visit, compare three-night course A staying in Omiya.

  1. New Shuttle Omiya Station → Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station

    For railway vehicle displays, take a New Shuttle towards Uchijuku and alight at the first stop, Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan. A paper single costs 190 yen; the museum is about one minute on foot from the station.

    New Shuttle faresJune 2026 museum and transport guide

  2. Railway Museum entrance → Explore the displays

    See the Railway Museum’s vehicles, science and history displays, with time for meals and breaks. Open 10:00–17:00, last admission 16:30. Adult same-day admission is 1,600 yen, or 1,500 yen when bought by the previous day. Driving and other experiences have separate reservation rules and extra fees.

    Museum admission pricesMuseum 2026 opening calendar

  3. Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station → Omiya Station

    After visiting, return on an Omiya-bound New Shuttle; paper single fare is 190 yen. On the day you move to Chichibu, shorten your museum visit and check transfers at Kumagaya first.

    New Shuttle faresOmiya-bound timetable at Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station

  4. Omiya Station → Chichibu Station via Kumagaya

    From Omiya, take a JR Takasaki Line train towards Kumagaya and alight there. Change to Chichibu Railway for Chichibu Station. Calculate ordinary fares separately: JR 620 yen and Chichibu Railway 950 yen. Chichibu differs from Seibu-Chichibu Station. Use both operators’ timetables for your date to match transfers and arrival. At Chichibu, go to your booked accommodation.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama railway operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsCurrently linked Chichibu Railway weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by station

The museum normally closes Tuesdays and over New Year; check exceptions in the official opening calendar. For experiences, check reservation conditions separately.

Chichibu Shrine and festival displays

See the nearby shrine and festival displays, then stay a second night in the same Chichibu accommodation. Visit Nagatoro the next day.

  1. Chichibu Station → Chichibu Shrine

    Start at Chichibu Shrine for buildings and carvings. It is about three minutes on foot from Chichibu Railway’s Chichibu Station. This visit covers ordinary worship and exterior views; prayer services and shrine items cost extra. Tourism guidance lists gates open 05:00–20:00, from 06:00 in winter.

    Chichibu Shrine official access guideSaitama tourism authority’s Chichibu Shrine gate hours

  2. Around Chichibu Shrine → Chichibu Festival Museum

    See festival floats, materials and videos recreating the festival at Chichibu Festival Museum. Adults pay 500 yen. April–November hours are 09:00–17:00; December–March 10:00–17:00; last admission 16:30. This differs from attending the actual festival. Afterwards, eat nearby and explore the streets, then return to the same Chichibu accommodation for your second night.

    Chichibu Festival Museum hours, closures and adult admission

Festival museum closures include fourth and fifth Tuesdays March–November, Tuesdays December–February and New Year. Check official information for public-holiday and festival exceptions.

Last day: Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan, then Shinjuku

See riverside and mountain scenery before returning to Shinjuku. Check out of your Chichibu accommodation, take your luggage and store it at Nagatoro Tourist Information. It opens 09:00–17:00; storage starts at 100 yen per item. Check size, fees and same-day acceptance. It is unavailable December 29–31 or during weather-related temporary closures; collect bags before 17:00. If storage is unavailable, omit Nagatoro sightseeing and travel with your luggage via Kumagaya to Shinjuku. Shorten visits if weather or services require it.

  1. Chichibu Station → Nagatoro Station

    For riverside and mountain scenery, take a Kumagaya-bound Chichibu Railway train to Nagatoro. Ordinary single fare is 550 yen. After sightseeing on this last day, continue towards Kumagaya and Shinjuku rather than returning to Chichibu.

    Currently linked Chichibu Railway weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information hours and luggage storage

  2. Nagatoro Station → Iwadatami

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

    Nagatoro Tourism Association access to Iwadatami

  3. Around Nagatoro Station → Hodosan Ropeway base station

    Walk about 20 minutes from Nagatoro Station to the ropeway base station. Free shuttles have separate operating dates and are not included in basic access.

    Hodosan Ropeway walking access from Nagatoro Station

  4. Ropeway base station → Mountain views, then Nagatoro Station

    Take the ropeway up and back for 1,200 yen per adult to see surrounding scenery. Normal operation is 09:40–17:00, varying with season, crowds and weather. Check seasonal timetables and suspension notices for your date. After descending, walk back towards Nagatoro Station.

    Hodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetableHodosan Ropeway walking access from Nagatoro Station

  5. Nagatoro Station → Shinjuku Station via Kumagaya

    Collect luggage from Tourist Information, then go to Nagatoro Station. Take a Kumagaya-bound Chichibu Railway train and change to JR. Chichibu Railway single fare is 850 yen; Kumagaya–Shinjuku JR paper through fare is 1,230 yen. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train stopping at Shinjuku via Omiya. This differs from leaving Omiya’s ticket gates and splitting fares into two tickets. Check actual transfers in both operators’ timetables for your date.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama railway operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsCurrently linked Chichibu Railway weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information hours and luggage storage

Shorten riverside and mountain visits to suit weather and services. Collect your luggage from Tourist Information before 17:00. Coordinate your descending ropeway service with both rail timetables so you can continue via Kumagaya to Shinjuku.

Reference transport and admission subtotal: 9,740 yen per adult

Included items: Shinjuku–Kawagoe 810 yen + Kawagoe–Omiya 350 yen + Omiya–Kumagaya 620 yen + Kumagaya–Chichibu 950 yen + Chichibu–Nagatoro 550 yen + Nagatoro–Kumagaya 850 yen + Kumagaya–Shinjuku 1,230 yen + Kitain 400 yen + Honmaru Goten 100 yen + City Museum 200 yen + New Shuttle return 380 yen + Railway Museum same-day admission 1,600 yen + Festival Museum 500 yen + Hodosan return ropeway 1,200 yen = 9,740 yen.

Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, travel to and beyond Shinjuku, extra facilities and paid experiences, lockers and tourist-office luggage storage are separate. Shrine prayers and goods, river boats and rafting are excluded too. These subtotals use ordinary paper tickets; recalculate for different routes, seats or discounts.

Buying Railway Museum admission by the day before for 1,500 yen reduces the same-day subtotal above by 100 yen. Experience reservations and paid activities are separate.

JR 2026 fare tableSaitama railway operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsKitain visitor informationKawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guideKawagoe City Museum fees and closuresMuseum admission pricesNew Shuttle faresChichibu Festival Museum hours, closures and adult admissionChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationHodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetable

5 days / 4 nights B

Bonsai and manga, then Chichibu and Nagatoro

Stay one night in Kawagoe, one in Omiya and two in Chichibu. Visit the bonsai and manga museums together, then travel to Chichibu that afternoon. Compared with three-night course B, this gives you another Chichibu night: visit the shrine and festival displays, then Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan the following day.

Day 1: Kitain and old streets

Visit the temple first, then continue to old streets for meals and walks.

  1. Shinjuku Station → JR Kawagoe Station

    From Shinjuku, take a Kawagoe-bound JR Saikyo/Kawagoe Line train. Alight at Kawagoe and use the east exit. An ordinary paper single costs 810 yen. Hon-Kawagoe and Kawagoeshi are different stations.

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

  2. Kawagoe Station → Kitain

    Visit Kitain first for temple buildings and the Five Hundred Rakan statues. It is about 20 minutes on foot from Kawagoe Station, with adult admission of 400 yen. March 1–November 23 weekday hours are 09:00–16:30, reception until 16:00. Winter closing is earlier. Follow on-site diversions during temple-gate repairs.

    Official English guideKitain visitor informationTemple gate restoration notice

  3. Kitain → Kurazukuri Street and Toki no Kane

    After visiting, go to the old streets for a meal and a look at storehouse-style buildings and shops. Toki no Kane rings at 06:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00. This is not a climb inside the bell tower; shop hours vary. After walking and eating, return to your booked Kawagoe accommodation using its actual address.

    Tourism association guidance

Check day-one facility closures and reception deadlines before choosing your old-street walking order.

Day 2: castle and museum, then move to Omiya

Explore Kawagoe’s history displays, then move to your accommodation in Omiya. Visit Omiya’s exhibitions the next day.

  1. Kawagoe old streets → Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten

    Choose Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten for the surviving castle building. Walk to Fudanotsuji north of Kurazukuri Street, then go east towards City Hall. Official guidance gives about ten minutes from Fudanotsuji to Honmaru Goten. Adults pay 100 yen. Open 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30. Avoid Monday, fourth-Friday and other closures. You visit the surviving palace building here; there is no castle tower to climb.

    Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guideCity Museum and Honmaru Goten 2026 opening calendarWalking map showing the hotel

  2. Honmaru Goten → Kawagoe City Museum

    Visit nearby Kawagoe City Museum for local history and storehouse-style architecture. Adult permanent-display admission is 200 yen. Open 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30. Separate Honmaru Goten and museum tickets total 300 yen; this differs from the museum/art-museum combined ticket.

    Kawagoe City Museum fees and closuresKawagoe City combined-ticket coverage

  3. JR Kawagoe Station → Omiya Station

    After Kawagoe visits, take a JR Kawagoe/Saikyo Line service to Omiya; paper single fare is 350 yen. Go to your booked accommodation for the night. Tomorrow’s sightseeing starts in Omiya.

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

Castle and city museum closures include Mondays and fourth Fridays. Check official calendars to ensure both are open that day.

Bonsai, manga and park, then afternoon travel to Chichibu

Combine bonsai and manga, then move to Chichibu. For more time walking and exploring the displays, choose a course that stays in Omiya instead.

  1. Omiya Station east exit → Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

    For bonsai and art, walk via Hikawa Shrine, Omiya Park and Bonsai Village to the museum. The official recommended route takes about 45 minutes; allow extra time for visits and breaks.

    2026 Bonsai Art Museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya

  2. Bonsai art museum → Manga museum

    See indoor displays and the garden at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama. Adults pay 310 yen. March–October hours are 09:00–16:30, last admission 16:00; November–February 09:00–16:00, last admission 15:30. Afterwards, use the official map to find the manga museum on Kaede-dori and walk there.

    Bonsai Art Museum admission, seasonal hours and public-holiday exceptions on Thursdays2026 Bonsai Art Museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya

  3. Manga museum → Manga displays

    At Saitama’s manga museum, see Kitazawa Rakuten materials and temporary exhibitions open on your date. Admission is free; the museum opens 09:00–16:30. Talks and workshops have separate schedules.

    Manga Museum visits, access and closures2026 Rakuten Collection II free exhibition

  4. Bonsai Village → Omiya Station

    After visiting, eat nearby and return to Omiya Station via the park and Hikawa Shrine route. The free Japanese garden opens 08:30–17:30; stop briefly if time allows. Shorten park walks on the day you take a Chichibu-bound train.

    2026 Bonsai Art Museum guide and 45-minute walk from OmiyaOmiya Park Japanese garden: hours and free admission

  5. Omiya Station → Chichibu Station via Kumagaya

    From Omiya, take a JR Takasaki Line train towards Kumagaya and alight there. Change to Chichibu Railway for Chichibu Station. Calculate ordinary fares separately: JR 620 yen and Chichibu Railway 950 yen. Chichibu differs from Seibu-Chichibu Station. Use both operators’ timetables for your date to match transfers and arrival. At Chichibu, go to your booked accommodation.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama railway operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsCurrently linked Chichibu Railway weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by station

The bonsai museum normally closes Thursdays; the manga museum closes Mondays and the next weekday after public holidays, among other dates. Choose a day when both are open.

Chichibu Shrine and festival displays

See the nearby shrine and festival displays, then stay a second night in the same Chichibu accommodation. Visit Nagatoro the next day.

  1. Chichibu Station → Chichibu Shrine

    Start at Chichibu Shrine for buildings and carvings. It is about three minutes on foot from Chichibu Railway’s Chichibu Station. This visit covers ordinary worship and exterior views; prayer services and shrine items cost extra. Tourism guidance lists gates open 05:00–20:00, from 06:00 in winter.

    Chichibu Shrine official access guideSaitama tourism authority’s Chichibu Shrine gate hours

  2. Around Chichibu Shrine → Chichibu Festival Museum

    See festival floats, materials and videos recreating the festival at Chichibu Festival Museum. Adults pay 500 yen. April–November hours are 09:00–17:00; December–March 10:00–17:00; last admission 16:30. This differs from attending the actual festival. Afterwards, eat nearby and explore the streets, then return to the same Chichibu accommodation for your second night.

    Chichibu Festival Museum hours, closures and adult admission

Festival museum closures include fourth and fifth Tuesdays March–November, Tuesdays December–February and New Year. Check official information for public-holiday and festival exceptions.

Last day: Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan, then Shinjuku

See riverside and mountain scenery before returning to Shinjuku. Check out of your Chichibu accommodation, take your luggage and store it at Nagatoro Tourist Information. It opens 09:00–17:00; storage starts at 100 yen per item. Check size, fees and same-day acceptance. It is unavailable December 29–31 or during weather-related temporary closures; collect bags before 17:00. If storage is unavailable, omit Nagatoro sightseeing and travel with your luggage via Kumagaya to Shinjuku. Shorten visits if weather or services require it.

  1. Chichibu Station → Nagatoro Station

    For riverside and mountain scenery, take a Kumagaya-bound Chichibu Railway train to Nagatoro. Ordinary single fare is 550 yen. After sightseeing on this last day, continue towards Kumagaya and Shinjuku rather than returning to Chichibu.

    Currently linked Chichibu Railway weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information hours and luggage storage

  2. Nagatoro Station → Iwadatami

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

    Nagatoro Tourism Association access to Iwadatami

  3. Around Nagatoro Station → Hodosan Ropeway base station

    Walk about 20 minutes from Nagatoro Station to the ropeway base station. Free shuttles have separate operating dates and are not included in basic access.

    Hodosan Ropeway walking access from Nagatoro Station

  4. Ropeway base station → Mountain views, then Nagatoro Station

    Take the ropeway up and back for 1,200 yen per adult to see surrounding scenery. Normal operation is 09:40–17:00, varying with season, crowds and weather. Check seasonal timetables and suspension notices for your date. After descending, walk back towards Nagatoro Station.

    Hodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetableHodosan Ropeway walking access from Nagatoro Station

  5. Nagatoro Station → Shinjuku Station via Kumagaya

    Collect luggage from Tourist Information, then go to Nagatoro Station. Take a Kumagaya-bound Chichibu Railway train and change to JR. Chichibu Railway single fare is 850 yen; Kumagaya–Shinjuku JR paper through fare is 1,230 yen. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train stopping at Shinjuku via Omiya. This differs from leaving Omiya’s ticket gates and splitting fares into two tickets. Check actual transfers in both operators’ timetables for your date.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama railway operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsCurrently linked Chichibu Railway weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information hours and luggage storage

Shorten riverside and mountain visits to suit weather and services. Collect your luggage from Tourist Information before 17:00. Coordinate your descending ropeway service with both rail timetables so you can continue via Kumagaya to Shinjuku.

Reference transport and admission subtotal: 8,070 yen per adult

Included items: Shinjuku–Kawagoe 810 yen + Kawagoe–Omiya 350 yen + Omiya–Kumagaya 620 yen + Kumagaya–Chichibu 950 yen + Chichibu–Nagatoro 550 yen + Nagatoro–Kumagaya 850 yen + Kumagaya–Shinjuku 1,230 yen + Kitain 400 yen + Honmaru Goten 100 yen + City Museum 200 yen + Bonsai Art Museum 310 yen + Festival Museum 500 yen + Hodosan return ropeway 1,200 yen = 8,070 yen.

Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, travel to and beyond Shinjuku, extra facilities and paid experiences, lockers and tourist-office luggage storage are separate. Shrine prayers and goods, river boats and rafting are excluded too. These subtotals use ordinary paper tickets; recalculate for different routes, seats or discounts.

JR 2026 fare tableSaitama railway operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsKitain visitor informationKawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guideKawagoe City Museum fees and closuresBonsai Art Museum admission, seasonal hours and public-holiday exceptions on ThursdaysChichibu Festival Museum hours, closures and adult admissionChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationHodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetable

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the same itinerary when Hodosan Ropeway is suspended?

Omit mountain-top sightseeing when the ropeway is suspended. The operator announces a scheduled inspection closure for December 7–26, 2026. On other dates too, check services and weather, then shorten last-day sightseeing to suit riverside access and return trains.

Hodosan December 2026 inspection suspensionHodosan Ropeway standard fares and timetable

How do I return to Shinjuku after Nagatoro?

Take a Kumagaya-bound Chichibu Railway train from Nagatoro, then change at Kumagaya to JR for Shinjuku. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train travelling via Omiya and stopping at Shinjuku. Chichibu Railway’s 850-yen single and JR’s 1,230-yen Kumagaya–Shinjuku paper through fare are calculated separately. Coordinate transfers using both timetables for your date. If your descent runs late, shorten mountain-top sightseeing to prioritise your return.

Chichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationCurrently linked Chichibu Railway weekday timetableJR 2026 fare tableSaitama railway operating distances: basis for JR fare calculationsJR East official station timetable search

Official sources and check dates