Chichibu culture, then the riverside and Hodosan?
After the Railway Museum or bonsai and manga in Omiya, move to Chichibu for two nights. Give the shrine and festival displays one day and Nagatoro’s riverside and Hodosan another, then return via Kumagaya to Shinjuku on the final day.
Choose a 4 nights, 5 days itinerary
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, giving shrine and festival displays and Nagatoro’s riverside and Hodosan separate days. This longer route chooses railway displays instead of bonsai and manga.
From the Railway Museum to Chichibu and Nagatoro →4 nights, 5 days BFrom bonsai and manga to Chichibu and Nagatoro
Stay one night each in Kawagoe and Omiya, then two in Chichibu. Move after bonsai and manga visits. Compared with four days B, the extra Chichibu day adds Nagatoro’s riverside and Hodosan after shrine and festival displays.
From bonsai and manga to Chichibu and Nagatoro →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, giving shrine and festival displays and Nagatoro’s riverside and Hodosan separate days. This longer route chooses railway displays instead of bonsai and manga.
Day 1 · Kitain and old streets
Visit the temple first, then continue with food and old-street walks.
- Shinjuku Station → JR Kawagoe Station
From Shinjuku, take a Kawagoe-bound JR train running on the Saikyo and Kawagoe lines. Alight at Kawagoe and leave by the east exit. Ordinary paper fare is JPY 810 one way. Hon-Kawagoe and Kawagoeshi are separate stations.
JR East official station timetable searchJR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR fares
- Kawagoe Station → Kitain
Visit Kitain first for temple buildings and the 500 rakan figures. It is about 20 minutes on foot from Kawagoe Station; adult admission costs JPY 400. On weekdays from 1 March to 23 November, it opens 09:00–16:30, with admission until 16:00; winter closing is earlier. Follow local diversions during gate repairs.
Official English guideKitain visiting guidanceTemple gate construction notice
- Kitain → Kurazukuri Street and Toki no Kane
After visiting, move to the old streets for a meal, kurazukuri buildings and shops. Toki no Kane rings at 06:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00. The visit excludes climbing inside the bell tower; shops have their own hours. Return to your booked Kawagoe hotel after walking and eating, choosing the route for its address.
Check first-day closures and admission deadlines before choosing the order of old-street walks.
Day 2 · Castle and museum, then move to an Omiya hotel
Explore Kawagoe history, then move to an Omiya hotel for the following day’s displays.
- Kawagoe old streets → Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten
Choose Honmaru Goten for surviving castle buildings. Walk to Satsunotsuji north of Kurazukuri Street, then head east towards city hall. The official walk from Satsunotsuji is about ten minutes. Adults pay JPY 100. It opens 09:00–17:00, with admission until 16:30. Avoid closures such as Mondays and fourth Fridays. This is not a castle-keep climb.
Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guide2026 opening calendar for the museum and Honmaru GotenWalking map showing the hotel
- Honmaru Goten → Kawagoe City Museum
Explore local history and kurazukuri architecture at nearby Kawagoe City Museum. Permanent-exhibition admission costs JPY 200 for adults. It opens 09:00–17:00, with admission until 16:30. Separately purchased museum and Honmaru Goten tickets total JPY 300; distinguish the combined museum and art museum ticket.
Kawagoe City Museum admission and closuresFacilities covered by Kawagoe City combined admission tickets
- JR Kawagoe Station → Omiya Station
After Kawagoe visits, take the JR Kawagoe and Saikyo route to Omiya, paper fare JPY 350 one way. Go to your booked Omiya hotel for tonight; tomorrow’s sightseeing starts in Omiya.
JR East official station timetable searchJR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR fares
Castle and city museum have Monday, fourth-Friday and other closures. Check the official calendar for both opening on the same day.
Railway Museum day · move to Chichibu in the afternoon
Explore railway displays, then move to Chichibu. Compare four days A’s longer Omiya stay for more museum time.
- New Shuttle Omiya Station → Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station
For railway vehicle displays, take the New Shuttle towards Uchijuku and alight at the first station, Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan. The paper fare is JPY 190 one way; the museum is about one minute on foot from the station.
- Railway Museum entrance → Explore the displays
Explore vehicles, science and history at the Railway Museum, allowing time for meals and rest. It opens 10:00–17:00, with admission until 16:30. Adult tickets cost JPY 1,600 on the day or JPY 1,500 when bought by the previous day. Activity reservations and extra fees, including driving experiences, are separate.
- Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station → Omiya Station
Take an Omiya-bound New Shuttle back for a paper fare of JPY 190 one way. If moving to Chichibu today, shorten exhibition time and check Kumagaya connections first.
New Shuttle faresDepartures from Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan towards Omiya
- Omiya Station → Chichibu Station via Kumagaya
Take the JR Takasaki Line from Omiya towards Kumagaya and change there to Chichibu Railway for Chichibu Station. Ordinary fares are separate: JR JPY 620 and Chichibu Railway JPY 950. Distinguish Seibu-Chichibu Station. Use both operators’ date-specific timetables for transfers and arrival, then go to your booked Chichibu hotel.
JR East official station timetable searchJR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR faresChichibu Railway’s currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by station
Tuesdays and New Year are normally closed; check official opening-calendar exceptions. Activity reservations have separate conditions.
Chichibu shrine and festival displays
Visit nearby shrine and festival displays, then stay another night in the same Chichibu hotel. Tomorrow continues to Nagatoro.
- Chichibu Station → Chichibu Shrine
Start at Chichibu Shrine for buildings and carvings, about three minutes from Chichibu Railway’s Chichibu Station. Ordinary worship and exterior viewing exclude requested prayer services and charms. Tourism guidance lists gate opening 05:00–20:00, starting 06:00 in winter.
Chichibu Shrine official access guideSaitama tourism body’s Chichibu Shrine gate opening hours
- Around Chichibu Shrine → Chichibu Matsuri Hall
Explore floats, materials and re-creation films at Chichibu Matsuri Hall. Adults pay JPY 500. It opens 09:00–17:00 in April–November or 10:00–17:00 in December–March, with admission until 16:30. This differs from attending the actual festival. Eat and explore nearby streets afterwards, then return to the same Chichibu hotel for your second night.
Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan: hours, closures and adult admission
Matsuri Hall closes fourth and fifth Tuesdays March–November, Tuesdays December–February and around New Year. Check official public holiday and festival exceptions too.
Final day · Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan before Shinjuku return
Explore riverside and mountaintop scenery before returning to Shinjuku. Check out of Chichibu and take luggage to Nagatoro’s tourist desk, open 09:00–17:00 with storage from JPY 100 per item. Confirm size, fee and same-day acceptance. Storage is unavailable 29–31 December or during bad-weather temporary closure; collect bags before 17:00. If storage is refused, omit Nagatoro sightseeing and travel with your bags via Kumagaya to Shinjuku. Shorten visits if weather or operation does not suit.
- Chichibu Station → Nagatoro Station
For riverside and mountaintop scenery, take a Kumagaya-bound Chichibu Railway train to Nagatoro, ordinary fare JPY 550 one way. After final-day visits, continue towards Kumagaya and Shinjuku rather than returning to Chichibu.
Chichibu Railway’s currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Centre: opening and luggage storage
- Nagatoro Station → Iwadatami
Iwadatami is about five minutes from the station. Explore riverside rocks and views, then return near the station for a meal. Omit the shore walk if rain or high water makes rocks slippery or access is restricted. Paid boats and rafting are excluded.
- Around Nagatoro Station → Hodosan Ropeway lower station
The lower ropeway station is about 20 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station. Free shuttles have separate operating dates and are excluded from the base route.
- Lower station → Mountaintop visit, then Nagatoro Station
Use the JPY 1,200 adult return ropeway to explore surrounding scenery and descend. Basic operation is 09:40–17:00, varying by season, crowds and weather. Check your date’s seasonal timetable and suspensions. Walk back near Nagatoro Station after descending.
Hodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetableWalking to Hodosan Ropeway from Nagatoro Station
- Nagatoro Station → Shinjuku Station via Kumagaya
Collect luggage at the tourist desk, then go to Nagatoro Station. Take Chichibu Railway to Kumagaya and change to JR. Chichibu fare JPY 850; Kumagaya–Shinjuku JR paper through fare JPY 1,230. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train via Omiya stopping at Shinjuku. This differs from leaving Omiya’s gates and splitting fares into two tickets. Check both travel-date timetables for connections.
JR East official station timetable searchJR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR faresChichibu Railway’s currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Centre: opening and luggage storage
Shorten riverside and mountaintop visits according to weather and operation. Match return ropeway and both rail timetables to collect luggage before 17:00 and continue towards Kumagaya and Shinjuku.
Included costs: 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 Goten JPY 100 + city museum JPY 200 + New Shuttle return JPY 380 + Railway Museum same-day ticket JPY 1,600 + Matsuri Hall JPY 500 + Hodosan return JPY 1,200 = JPY 9,740.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, travel to or beyond Shinjuku, extra facilities, paid activities and luggage storage such as lockers or tourist information centres cost extra. Requested shrine prayer services and charms, river boats and rafting are excluded. Ordinary paper fares are used; recalculate for different routes, seats or discounts.
Buying the JPY 1,500 Railway Museum advance ticket by the previous day reduces the same-day-ticket subtotal by JPY 100. Activity reservations and paid experiences are separate.
JR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR faresKitain visiting guidanceKawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guideKawagoe City Museum admission and closuresMuseum admission feesNew Shuttle faresChichibu Matsuri Kaikan: hours, closures and adult admissionChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationHodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetable
From bonsai and manga to Chichibu and Nagatoro
Stay one night each in Kawagoe and Omiya, then two in Chichibu. Move after bonsai and manga visits. Compared with four days B, the extra Chichibu day adds Nagatoro’s riverside and Hodosan after shrine and festival displays.
Day 1 · Kitain and old streets
Visit the temple first, then continue with food and old-street walks.
- Shinjuku Station → JR Kawagoe Station
From Shinjuku, take a Kawagoe-bound JR train running on the Saikyo and Kawagoe lines. Alight at Kawagoe and leave by the east exit. Ordinary paper fare is JPY 810 one way. Hon-Kawagoe and Kawagoeshi are separate stations.
JR East official station timetable searchJR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR fares
- Kawagoe Station → Kitain
Visit Kitain first for temple buildings and the 500 rakan figures. It is about 20 minutes on foot from Kawagoe Station; adult admission costs JPY 400. On weekdays from 1 March to 23 November, it opens 09:00–16:30, with admission until 16:00; winter closing is earlier. Follow local diversions during gate repairs.
Official English guideKitain visiting guidanceTemple gate construction notice
- Kitain → Kurazukuri Street and Toki no Kane
After visiting, move to the old streets for a meal, kurazukuri buildings and shops. Toki no Kane rings at 06:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00. The visit excludes climbing inside the bell tower; shops have their own hours. Return to your booked Kawagoe hotel after walking and eating, choosing the route for its address.
Check first-day closures and admission deadlines before choosing the order of old-street walks.
Day 2 · Castle and museum, then move to an Omiya hotel
Explore Kawagoe history, then move to an Omiya hotel for the following day’s displays.
- Kawagoe old streets → Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten
Choose Honmaru Goten for surviving castle buildings. Walk to Satsunotsuji north of Kurazukuri Street, then head east towards city hall. The official walk from Satsunotsuji is about ten minutes. Adults pay JPY 100. It opens 09:00–17:00, with admission until 16:30. Avoid closures such as Mondays and fourth Fridays. This is not a castle-keep climb.
Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guide2026 opening calendar for the museum and Honmaru GotenWalking map showing the hotel
- Honmaru Goten → Kawagoe City Museum
Explore local history and kurazukuri architecture at nearby Kawagoe City Museum. Permanent-exhibition admission costs JPY 200 for adults. It opens 09:00–17:00, with admission until 16:30. Separately purchased museum and Honmaru Goten tickets total JPY 300; distinguish the combined museum and art museum ticket.
Kawagoe City Museum admission and closuresFacilities covered by Kawagoe City combined admission tickets
- JR Kawagoe Station → Omiya Station
After Kawagoe visits, take the JR Kawagoe and Saikyo route to Omiya, paper fare JPY 350 one way. Go to your booked Omiya hotel for tonight; tomorrow’s sightseeing starts in Omiya.
JR East official station timetable searchJR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR fares
Castle and city museum have Monday, fourth-Friday and other closures. Check the official calendar for both opening on the same day.
Bonsai, manga and park today · move to Chichibu in the afternoon
Visit bonsai and manga, then move to Chichibu. Choose a longer Omiya stay if you want more walking and exhibition time.
- Omiya Station east exit → Omiya Bonsai Art Museum
For bonsai and art displays, walk via Hikawa Shrine, Omiya Park and Bonsai Village to the museum. The official recommended route takes about 45 minutes, excluding visits and rest.
- Bonsai art museum → Manga Hall
Explore indoor displays and the garden at The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama. Adults pay JPY 310. It opens 09:00–16:30 in March–October, with admission until 16:00, or 09:00–16:00 in November–February, with admission until 15:30. Afterwards, use the official map to walk to Manga Hall on Kaede-dori.
Bonsai museum fees, seasonal hours and Thursday public holiday exception2026 bonsai museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya
- Manga Hall → Explore manga displays
Explore Kitazawa Rakuten materials and your date’s special displays at Saitama Municipal Manga Hall. Admission is free, and it opens 09:00–16:30. Talks and activities have separate schedules.
Manga Hall visits, access and closuresFree Rakuten Collection II exhibition for 2026
- Bonsai Village → Omiya Station
Eat nearby and retrace the route through the park and Hikawa Shrine to Omiya. The free Japanese garden opens 08:30–17:30; visit briefly if time allows. Shorten the park walk on your Chichibu travel day if needed.
2026 bonsai museum guide and 45-minute walk from OmiyaOmiya Park Japanese Garden: hours and free admission
- Omiya Station → Chichibu Station via Kumagaya
Take the JR Takasaki Line from Omiya towards Kumagaya and change there to Chichibu Railway for Chichibu Station. Ordinary fares are separate: JR JPY 620 and Chichibu Railway JPY 950. Distinguish Seibu-Chichibu Station. Use both operators’ date-specific timetables for transfers and arrival, then go to your booked Chichibu hotel.
JR East official station timetable searchJR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR faresChichibu Railway’s currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by station
Bonsai museum normally closes Thursdays; Manga Hall closes Mondays and weekdays following public holidays, among other dates. Choose a day both open.
Chichibu shrine and festival displays
Visit nearby shrine and festival displays, then stay another night in the same Chichibu hotel. Tomorrow continues to Nagatoro.
- Chichibu Station → Chichibu Shrine
Start at Chichibu Shrine for buildings and carvings, about three minutes from Chichibu Railway’s Chichibu Station. Ordinary worship and exterior viewing exclude requested prayer services and charms. Tourism guidance lists gate opening 05:00–20:00, starting 06:00 in winter.
Chichibu Shrine official access guideSaitama tourism body’s Chichibu Shrine gate opening hours
- Around Chichibu Shrine → Chichibu Matsuri Hall
Explore floats, materials and re-creation films at Chichibu Matsuri Hall. Adults pay JPY 500. It opens 09:00–17:00 in April–November or 10:00–17:00 in December–March, with admission until 16:30. This differs from attending the actual festival. Eat and explore nearby streets afterwards, then return to the same Chichibu hotel for your second night.
Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan: hours, closures and adult admission
Matsuri Hall closes fourth and fifth Tuesdays March–November, Tuesdays December–February and around New Year. Check official public holiday and festival exceptions too.
Final day · Nagatoro riverside and Hodosan before Shinjuku return
Explore riverside and mountaintop scenery before returning to Shinjuku. Check out of Chichibu and take luggage to Nagatoro’s tourist desk, open 09:00–17:00 with storage from JPY 100 per item. Confirm size, fee and same-day acceptance. Storage is unavailable 29–31 December or during bad-weather temporary closure; collect bags before 17:00. If storage is refused, omit Nagatoro sightseeing and travel with your bags via Kumagaya to Shinjuku. Shorten visits if weather or operation does not suit.
- Chichibu Station → Nagatoro Station
For riverside and mountaintop scenery, take a Kumagaya-bound Chichibu Railway train to Nagatoro, ordinary fare JPY 550 one way. After final-day visits, continue towards Kumagaya and Shinjuku rather than returning to Chichibu.
Chichibu Railway’s currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Centre: opening and luggage storage
- Nagatoro Station → Iwadatami
Iwadatami is about five minutes from the station. Explore riverside rocks and views, then return near the station for a meal. Omit the shore walk if rain or high water makes rocks slippery or access is restricted. Paid boats and rafting are excluded.
- Around Nagatoro Station → Hodosan Ropeway lower station
The lower ropeway station is about 20 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station. Free shuttles have separate operating dates and are excluded from the base route.
- Lower station → Mountaintop visit, then Nagatoro Station
Use the JPY 1,200 adult return ropeway to explore surrounding scenery and descend. Basic operation is 09:40–17:00, varying by season, crowds and weather. Check your date’s seasonal timetable and suspensions. Walk back near Nagatoro Station after descending.
Hodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetableWalking to Hodosan Ropeway from Nagatoro Station
- Nagatoro Station → Shinjuku Station via Kumagaya
Collect luggage at the tourist desk, then go to Nagatoro Station. Take Chichibu Railway to Kumagaya and change to JR. Chichibu fare JPY 850; Kumagaya–Shinjuku JR paper through fare JPY 1,230. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train via Omiya stopping at Shinjuku. This differs from leaving Omiya’s gates and splitting fares into two tickets. Check both travel-date timetables for connections.
JR East official station timetable searchJR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR faresChichibu Railway’s currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Centre: opening and luggage storage
Shorten riverside and mountaintop visits according to weather and operation. Match return ropeway and both rail timetables to collect luggage before 17:00 and continue towards Kumagaya and Shinjuku.
Included costs: 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 Goten JPY 100 + city museum JPY 200 + bonsai museum JPY 310 + Matsuri Hall JPY 500 + Hodosan return JPY 1,200 = JPY 8,070.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, travel to or beyond Shinjuku, extra facilities, paid activities and luggage storage such as lockers or tourist information centres cost extra. Requested shrine prayer services and charms, river boats and rafting are excluded. Ordinary paper fares are used; recalculate for different routes, seats or discounts.
JR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR faresKitain visiting guidanceKawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guideKawagoe City Museum admission and closuresBonsai museum fees, seasonal hours and Thursday public holiday exceptionChichibu Matsuri Kaikan: hours, closures and adult admissionChichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationHodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetable
Frequently asked questions
Can you follow the same route when Hodosan Ropeway is suspended?
Omit the mountaintop visit when the ropeway is suspended. The operator lists an inspection suspension from 7 to 26 December 2026. On other dates, check actual operation and weather too. Reduce final-day sightseeing to fit riverside access and return trains.
Hodosan inspection suspension for December 2026Hodosan Ropeway ordinary fares and timetable
How do you 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 service that runs via Omiya and stops at Shinjuku. The Chichibu Railway one-way fare of JPY 850 and JR Kumagaya–Shinjuku ordinary paper through fare of JPY 1,230 are separate amounts. Use both travel-date timetables to check the connection. If you expect to descend late, shorten mountaintop sightseeing and prioritise the return journey.
Chichibu Railway ordinary fares by stationChichibu Railway’s currently linked weekday timetableJR fares for 2026Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR faresJR East official station timetable search
Official sources and confirmation dates
- Walking map showing the hotel ·
- Kitain visiting guidance ·
- Temple gate construction notice ·
- Departures from Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan towards Omiya ·
- Museum opening calendar for 2026 ·
- June 2026 museum and transport guide ·
- JR fares for 2026 ·
- New Shuttle fares ·
- Museum admission fees ·
- Tourism association guide ·
- Official English guide ·
- Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guide ·
- Kawagoe City Museum admission and closures ·
- 2026 opening calendar for the museum and Honmaru Goten ·
- Facilities covered by Kawagoe City combined admission tickets ·
- 2026 bonsai museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya ·
- Manga Hall visits, access and closures ·
- Free Rakuten Collection II exhibition for 2026 ·
- Omiya Park Japanese Garden: hours and free admission ·
- Bonsai museum fees, seasonal hours and Thursday public holiday exception ·
- Saitama Prefecture railway distances used to calculate JR fares ·
- Chichibu Railway’s currently linked weekday timetable ·
- Chichibu Railway ordinary fares by station ·
- Nagatoro Tourist Information Centre: opening and luggage storage ·
- Chichibu Shrine official access guide ·
- Saitama tourism body’s Chichibu Shrine gate opening hours ·
- Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan: hours, closures and adult admission ·
- Hodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetable ·
- Walking to Hodosan Ropeway from Nagatoro Station ·
- Nagatoro tourism association’s Iwadatami access guide ·
- Hodosan Ropeway ordinary fares and timetable ·
- Hodosan inspection suspension for December 2026 ·
- JR TOKYO Wide Pass official price, three consecutive days and covered operators ·
- JR East official station timetable search ·