Where should you stay and what should you see in Saitama?

Kawagoe · 川越

Spend your first night in Kawagoe for temples and old streets into the evening. The ordinary JR paper fare from Shinjuku is JPY 810; onward to Omiya the next day is JPY 350. JR Kawagoe, Hon-Kawagoe and Kawagoeshi are separate stations; match your hotel location to the railway you use.

JR fares for 20262026-10-08Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR fares2026-10-08Walking map showing the hotel2026-10-08

Omiya · 大宮

Choose two Omiya nights to give the Railway Museum and bonsai and manga separate days. Move here after Kawagoe to avoid retracing the same section. JR paper fare to Shinjuku is JPY 530 one way; for Chichibu, take JR to Kumagaya and change to Chichibu Railway.

JR fares for 20262026-10-08Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR fares2026-10-08JR Omiya Station coin lockers2026-10-08New Shuttle departures from Omiya2026-10-082026 bonsai museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya2026-10-08

Chichibu · 秩父

Consider one night in Chichibu for the shrine and festival displays, or two to visit Nagatoro’s riverside and Hodosan as well. Pay separately for Omiya–Kumagaya JR travel at JPY 620 and Kumagaya–Chichibu Railway travel at JPY 950. This route uses Chichibu Railway’s Chichibu Station, distinct from Seibu-Chichibu.

JR service 1878E: weekday Omiya to Kumagaya2026-10-08Chichibu Railway’s currently linked weekday timetable2026-10-08Chichibu Railway ordinary fares by station2026-10-08JR fares for 20262026-10-08Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR fares2026-10-08Chichibu Shrine official access guide2026-10-08Route-Inn Grand Chichibu: access, check-in and self-service lockers2026-10-08

Kawagoe: Kitain and the old streets

Start with Kitain’s paid visitor areas, then continue to Kurazukuri Street and Toki no Kane. For small sweets shops, consider a walk through Kashiya Yokocho. To add the castle and city museum, compare the three-day routes, which split them onto another day and require matching both facilities’ opening calendars.

Kashiya Yokocho · 菓子屋横丁

Kawagoe tourism association guide to the old streets and sweets alley2026-10-09Kitain visiting guidance2026-10-08

Omiya: railway displays, bonsai and manga

Take the New Shuttle from Omiya to the Railway Museum. The route to the bonsai museum and Manga Hall goes on foot through the park and bonsai village. The official recommended walk to the bonsai museum takes about 45 minutes; allow extra time for visits and rests. To see both types of exhibitions, choose four days A, with two nights in Omiya.

June 2026 museum and transport guide2026-10-082026 bonsai museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya2026-10-08Manga Hall official visitor guide2026-10-09

Chichibu: shrine and festival displays

Walk about three minutes from Chichibu Railway’s Chichibu Station to the shrine. View its buildings and carvings, then see festival floats and re-creation films at nearby Matsuri Kaikan. This is separate from attending the actual festival. For the riverside the following day, compare the routes with two nights in Chichibu.

Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan: hours, closures and adult admission2026-10-08Chichibu Railway ordinary fares by station2026-10-08

Nagatoro: riverside scenery and Hodosan

Iwadatami is about five minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station; Hodosan Ropeway’s lower station is about 20 minutes away. Rain and high water can restrict access to the riverside rocks, while ropeway operation depends on weather and suspensions. On the final day, return to Shinjuku via Kumagaya without going back to Chichibu.

Nagatoro Tourist Information Centre: opening and luggage storage2026-10-09Hodosan Ropeway ordinary fares and timetable2026-10-09

Eat in the town where you are spending the day

Your meal location changes between Kawagoe walks, Omiya exhibitions and visits to Chichibu and Nagatoro. Use the Saitama restaurant list to find a place near that day’s stops, then check its opening hours.

Kawagoe tourism association guide to the old streets and sweets alley2026-10-09

Check routes and travel-date connections

Use the transport guide for routes and direction, then JR, New Shuttle and Chichibu Railway timetables for actual outward and return trains. At Kumagaya, calculate JR and Chichibu Railway tickets separately.

JR East official station timetable search2026-10-09Chichibu Railway’s currently linked weekday timetable2026-10-08

Browse cameras by filming location

Check filming locations, source formats and update times in Saitama’s camera list. Nagatoro station-front photographs show the square and street; Iwadatami photographs show riverside rocks and the surroundings. View the two separately below.

Nagatoro tourism association’s updated station-front and Iwadatami photographs2026-10-09

Kawagoe: sweet potato sweets

Kawagoe has grown sweet potatoes and shipped them to Edo since the Edo period. While walking, compare baked or filled sweets such as sweet potato senbei and dorayaki with sweet potato filling. Shops in the sweets alley and old streets differ in selection, packaging and price. Choose according to whether you want something to eat now or a gift.

Kawagoe tourism association feature on sweet potato sweets and matcha2026-10-09Kawagoe tourism association guide to the old streets and sweets alley2026-10-09

Chichibu: battered potatoes with miso sauce

Miso potato (みそポテト) consists of boiled potatoes coated in batter, fried and served with a sweet and savoury miso sauce. This Chichibu local food developed as a light meal during farm work and is also eaten as a snack or side dish. Menus and portions vary by shop, so decide whether to order it with a meal or as a snack.

Agriculture ministry guide to Chichibu miso potato ingredients and preparation2026-10-09

Should you buy a new JR TOKYO Wide Pass for these routes?

JR TOKYO Wide Pass

At JPY 16,000 for an adult and three consecutive days, the pass costs more than the routes’ combined transport and admission totals. If you already have a pass or combine this with another JR trip, check its dates and eligibility. The New Shuttle between Omiya and Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan is officially covered; Chichibu Railway, the ropeway and attraction admission cost extra. Users must be foreign nationals holding a valid passport issued outside Japan, with the original passport required for checks.

JR TOKYO Wide Pass official price, three consecutive days and covered operators2026-10-09JR East official pass purchase and eligibility conditions2026-10-09

Nagatoro station front: square and street

The station-front photograph shows the square, road and surrounding trees. It is separate from the Iwadatami riverside photograph. Its timestamp may show an earlier date, so check the original photograph’s time first.

Nagatoro tourism association’s updated station-front and Iwadatami photographs2026-10-09

Iwadatami: riverside rocks and surroundings

The Iwadatami photograph shows riverside rocks and the surroundings. It does not establish access along the whole riverside or whether boats, rafting or Hodosan Ropeway are operating. Check official notices for your visit date too.

Nagatoro tourism association’s updated station-front and Iwadatami photographs2026-10-09