Chichibu culture, then riverside scenery and Mount Hodo?

After the Railway Museum or bonsai and manga in Omiya, move to Chichibu for two nights. Give the shrine and festival exhibits one day, and Nagatoro's riverside and Mount Hodo another. Return 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 in Kawagoe, one in Omiya, and two in Chichibu. Visit the Railway Museum before moving to Chichibu that afternoon. Give the shrine and festival exhibits one day, and Nagatoro's riverside and Mount Hodo another. This longer plan chooses rail exhibits instead of bonsai and manga.

Day 1 · Kitain Temple and historic streets

Visit the temple first, then continue with meals and a walk through the historic streets.

  1. Shinjuku Station → JR Kawagoe Station

    From Shinjuku, take a JR Saikyo/Kawagoe Line train toward Kawagoe. Get off at Kawagoe Station and use the east exit. A paper local ticket costs ¥810 one way. Hon-Kawagoe and Kawagoeshi are different stations.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculation

  2. Kawagoe Station → Kitain Temple

    Visit Kitain first for temple buildings and the Five Hundred Rakan statues. It is about a 20-minute walk from Kawagoe Station; adult admission is ¥400. Weekday hours March 1–November 23 are 9:00 AM–4:30 PM, with reception until 4:00 PM. Winter hours end earlier. Follow on-site detours during temple gate restoration.

    Official English guideVisiting KitainTemple gate restoration notice

  3. Kitain Temple → Kurazukuri streets · Toki no Kane

    After your visit, head to the historic streets for a meal and a look at the warehouse-style buildings and shops. Toki no Kane rings at 6:00 AM, noon, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM. This is an exterior visit, with no climb inside the bell tower; shops have separate hours. After your walk and meal, return to your booked lodging in Kawagoe. Choose directions from the historic streets according to your lodging's address.

    Tourism association guide

Check closing days and reception cutoffs for day 1 facilities before choosing your walking order through the historic streets.

Day 2 · Castle residence and museum, then move to Omiya

See Kawagoe's history exhibits and move your lodging to Omiya. Explore Omiya's exhibitions the next day.

  1. Kawagoe historic streets → Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace

    Choose Kawagoe Castle's Honmaru Palace to see its surviving residence building. Walk to Fudanotsuji at the north end of the Kurazukuri streets, then head east toward city hall to reach the palace. Official guidance lists about a 10-minute walk from Fudanotsuji. Adult admission is ¥100; hours are 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, last admission 4:30 PM. Avoid closing days including Mondays and the fourth Friday. This is not a castle keep you climb.

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

  2. Honmaru Palace → Kawagoe City Museum

    Explore local history and warehouse-style architecture at nearby Kawagoe City Museum. Permanent exhibition adult admission is ¥200; hours are 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, last admission 4:30 PM. Separate tickets for the palace and museum total ¥300; distinguish these from the museum/art museum combined ticket.

    Kawagoe City Museum admission and closuresKawagoe City's combined admission ticket options

  3. JR Kawagoe Station → Omiya Station

    After sightseeing in Kawagoe, take a JR Kawagoe Line train toward the Saikyo Line to Omiya. A paper one-way ticket costs ¥350. Head to your booked lodging in Omiya for the night. Begin the next day's sightseeing in Omiya.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculation

The castle residence and city museum have closing days including Mondays and the fourth Friday. Check official calendars to confirm both open on the same day.

Railway Museum, then Chichibu in the afternoon

Visit the rail exhibits, then move to Chichibu. Compare three-night plan A, which stays in Omiya, if you want longer at the museum.

  1. New Shuttle Omiya Station → Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station

    For railway vehicle exhibits, take a New Shuttle toward Uchijuku and get off at the first stop, Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan. A paper one-way ticket costs ¥190; the museum is about a 1-minute walk from the station.

    New Shuttle faresJune 2026 museum and transportation guide

  2. Railway Museum entrance → Exhibition visit

    Explore vehicle, science, and history exhibits at the Railway Museum, leaving time for meals and breaks. Hours are 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, admission until 4:30 PM. Adult same-day tickets cost ¥1,600; advance tickets purchased by the previous day cost ¥1,500. Reservations and additional fees for activities such as driving experiences are separate.

    Railway Museum admission pricesRailway Museum 2026 opening calendar

  3. Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station → Omiya Station

    After your visit, take the New Shuttle toward Omiya. A paper one-way ticket costs ¥190. On a day when you are moving to Chichibu, shorten your exhibition visit and check your Kumagaya connection first.

    New Shuttle faresOmiya-bound timetable at Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan

  4. Omiya Station → Chichibu Station via Kumagaya

    From Omiya, take a JR Takasaki Line train toward Kumagaya and get off there. Transfer to Chichibu Railway for Chichibu Station. Calculate the regular fares separately: JR ¥620 and Chichibu Railway ¥950. Chichibu Station is different from Seibu-Chichibu Station. Use both operators' timetables for your travel date to plan the transfer and arrival in Chichibu, then head to your booked lodging.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculationChichibu Railway currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway regular fares by station

Tuesdays and the year-end holiday period are the usual closing times; check exceptions in the official opening calendar. Review separate reservation conditions for any activities.

Chichibu Shrine and festival exhibits

Visit the nearby shrine and festival exhibits, then spend a second night at the same lodging in Chichibu. Head to Nagatoro the next day.

  1. Chichibu Station → Chichibu Shrine

    Start at Chichibu Shrine for its buildings and carvings. It is about a 3-minute walk from Chichibu Railway's Chichibu Station. This plan covers a regular shrine visit and exterior views; prayer services and shrine items cost extra. Tourism guidance lists gate hours as 5:00 AM–8:00 PM, opening at 6:00 AM in winter.

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

  2. Around Chichibu Shrine → Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan

    See festival floats, materials, and recreation videos at Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan. Adult admission is ¥500. Hours are 9:00 AM–5:00 PM April–November and 10:00 AM–5:00 PM December–March, with last admission at 4:30 PM. This is an exhibition visit rather than attendance at the festival itself. Afterward, eat nearby and explore the streets. Return to the same lodging in Chichibu for your second night after sightseeing and your meal.

    Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan hours, closures, and adult admission

Matsuri Kaikan closes on the fourth and fifth Tuesdays March–November, Tuesdays December–February, and during the year-end holiday period, among other dates. Check official guidance for holiday and festival exceptions.

Final day · Nagatoro's riverside and Mount Hodo, then Shinjuku

See the riverside and mountain views before returning to Shinjuku. Check out of your Chichibu lodging and take your bags to Nagatoro Tourist Information Center. It is open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; storage starts at ¥100 per item. Confirm accepted sizes, prices, and same-day availability. Storage is unavailable December 29–31 and during temporary bad-weather closures; collect stored bags before 5:00 PM. If storage is unavailable, skip Nagatoro sightseeing and return with your bags via Kumagaya to Shinjuku. Reduce your sightseeing if the weather or service conditions do not suit the plan.

  1. Chichibu Station → Nagatoro Station

    For riverside and mountain views, take Chichibu Railway toward Kumagaya to Nagatoro. The regular one-way fare is ¥550. On this final day, continue toward Kumagaya and Shinjuku after sightseeing rather than returning to Chichibu.

    Chichibu Railway currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway regular fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Center hours and luggage storage

  2. Nagatoro Station → Iwadatami

    Iwadatami is about a 5-minute walk 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 the rocks slippery or access is restricted. Paid riverboat trips and rafting are excluded.

    Nagatoro tourism association's Iwadatami access guide

  3. Around Nagatoro Station → Hodosan Ropeway lower station

    Walk about 20 minutes from Nagatoro Station to the Hodosan Ropeway's lower station. The free shuttle runs on selected dates, so it is not part of the standard route.

    Walking access from Nagatoro Station to Hodosan Ropeway

  4. Lower station → Mountain visit, then Nagatoro Station

    Take the ropeway up for mountain scenery, then ride back down. The adult round-trip fare is ¥1,200. Standard service runs 9:40 AM–5:00 PM, with changes for seasons, crowds, and weather. Check the seasonal schedule and suspension notices for your date. Walk back to the Nagatoro Station area after descending.

    Hodosan Ropeway fares and standard timetableWalking access from Nagatoro Station to Hodosan Ropeway

  5. Nagatoro Station → Shinjuku Station via Kumagaya

    Collect your bags from the tourist information center and walk to Nagatoro Station. Take Chichibu Railway toward Kumagaya and transfer to JR. Chichibu Railway costs ¥850 one way; the JR paper through fare from Kumagaya to Shinjuku is ¥1,230. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train that runs via Omiya and stops at Shinjuku. This fare differs from exiting the gates at Omiya and buying two separate tickets. Check both timetables for your travel date to confirm the actual connection.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculationChichibu Railway currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway regular fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Center hours and luggage storage

Shorten riverside and mountain visits to suit the weather and service conditions. Coordinate both ropeway rides with the two railway timetables so you can collect your bags from the tourist information center before 5:00 PM and continue toward Kumagaya and Shinjuku.

Verified transportation and admission costs: ¥9,740 per adult

Included items: Shinjuku to Kawagoe ¥810 + Kawagoe to Omiya ¥350 + Omiya to Kumagaya ¥620 + Kumagaya to Chichibu ¥950 + Chichibu to Nagatoro ¥550 + Nagatoro to Kumagaya ¥850 + Kumagaya to Shinjuku ¥1,230 + Kitain ¥400 + Honmaru Palace ¥100 + City Museum ¥200 + New Shuttle round trip ¥380 + Railway Museum same-day ticket ¥1,600 + Matsuri Kaikan ¥500 + Hodosan Ropeway round trip ¥1,200 = ¥9,740.

Extra costs and conditions: Lodging, meals, travel to and beyond Shinjuku, extra facilities, paid activities, and luggage storage such as lockers or tourist information services cost extra. Shrine prayer services and items, riverboats, and rafting are also excluded. This uses paper local tickets; recalculate if changing routes, seats, or discount conditions.

Choose the ¥1,500 Railway Museum advance ticket by the previous day to reduce this same-day-ticket subtotal by ¥100. Activity reservations and paid activities are separate.

JR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculationVisiting KitainKawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace visitor guideKawagoe City Museum admission and closuresRailway Museum admission pricesNew Shuttle faresChichibu Matsuri Kaikan hours, closures, and adult admissionChichibu Railway regular fares by stationHodosan Ropeway fares and standard timetable

5 days, 4 nights B

From bonsai and manga to Chichibu and Nagatoro

Stay one night in Kawagoe, one in Omiya, and two in Chichibu. Visit bonsai and manga exhibits together before moving to Chichibu that afternoon. This plan adds a day in Chichibu compared with three-night plan B: see the shrine and festival exhibits, then Nagatoro's riverside and Mount Hodo the following day.

Day 1 · Kitain Temple and historic streets

Visit the temple first, then continue with meals and a walk through the historic streets.

  1. Shinjuku Station → JR Kawagoe Station

    From Shinjuku, take a JR Saikyo/Kawagoe Line train toward Kawagoe. Get off at Kawagoe Station and use the east exit. A paper local ticket costs ¥810 one way. Hon-Kawagoe and Kawagoeshi are different stations.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculation

  2. Kawagoe Station → Kitain Temple

    Visit Kitain first for temple buildings and the Five Hundred Rakan statues. It is about a 20-minute walk from Kawagoe Station; adult admission is ¥400. Weekday hours March 1–November 23 are 9:00 AM–4:30 PM, with reception until 4:00 PM. Winter hours end earlier. Follow on-site detours during temple gate restoration.

    Official English guideVisiting KitainTemple gate restoration notice

  3. Kitain Temple → Kurazukuri streets · Toki no Kane

    After your visit, head to the historic streets for a meal and a look at the warehouse-style buildings and shops. Toki no Kane rings at 6:00 AM, noon, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM. This is an exterior visit, with no climb inside the bell tower; shops have separate hours. After your walk and meal, return to your booked lodging in Kawagoe. Choose directions from the historic streets according to your lodging's address.

    Tourism association guide

Check closing days and reception cutoffs for day 1 facilities before choosing your walking order through the historic streets.

Day 2 · Castle residence and museum, then move to Omiya

See Kawagoe's history exhibits and move your lodging to Omiya. Explore Omiya's exhibitions the next day.

  1. Kawagoe historic streets → Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace

    Choose Kawagoe Castle's Honmaru Palace to see its surviving residence building. Walk to Fudanotsuji at the north end of the Kurazukuri streets, then head east toward city hall to reach the palace. Official guidance lists about a 10-minute walk from Fudanotsuji. Adult admission is ¥100; hours are 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, last admission 4:30 PM. Avoid closing days including Mondays and the fourth Friday. This is not a castle keep you climb.

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

  2. Honmaru Palace → Kawagoe City Museum

    Explore local history and warehouse-style architecture at nearby Kawagoe City Museum. Permanent exhibition adult admission is ¥200; hours are 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, last admission 4:30 PM. Separate tickets for the palace and museum total ¥300; distinguish these from the museum/art museum combined ticket.

    Kawagoe City Museum admission and closuresKawagoe City's combined admission ticket options

  3. JR Kawagoe Station → Omiya Station

    After sightseeing in Kawagoe, take a JR Kawagoe Line train toward the Saikyo Line to Omiya. A paper one-way ticket costs ¥350. Head to your booked lodging in Omiya for the night. Begin the next day's sightseeing in Omiya.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculation

The castle residence and city museum have closing days including Mondays and the fourth Friday. Check official calendars to confirm both open on the same day.

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

Pair bonsai with manga, then move to Chichibu. Choose consecutive nights in Omiya if you prefer more time for walking and exhibitions.

  1. Omiya Station east exit → Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

    Walk via Hikawa Shrine, Omiya Park, and Bonsai Village to the museum for bonsai and art exhibitions. The officially recommended walking route takes about 45 minutes, excluding visits and breaks.

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

  2. Bonsai Art Museum → Manga Hall

    See the indoor exhibitions and garden at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Saitama City. Adult admission is ¥310. March–October hours are 9:00 AM–4:30 PM, last admission 4:00 PM; November–February hours are 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, last admission 3:30 PM. After visiting, use the official map to find the Manga Hall on Kaede-dori and walk there.

    Bonsai Art Museum admission, seasonal hours, and Thursday holiday exceptions2026 Bonsai Art Museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya

  3. Manga Hall → Manga exhibitions

    Explore materials related to Rakuten Kitazawa and the exhibitions running on your date at Saitama Municipal Manga Hall. Admission is free; hours are 9:00 AM–4:30 PM. Talks and activities have separate schedules.

    Manga Hall visiting, 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 along your outward route. The free Japanese garden is open 8:30 AM–5:30 PM; stop briefly if you have time. Shorten the park walk on a day when you are taking a train to Chichibu.

    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 toward Kumagaya and get off there. Transfer to Chichibu Railway for Chichibu Station. Calculate the regular fares separately: JR ¥620 and Chichibu Railway ¥950. Chichibu Station is different from Seibu-Chichibu Station. Use both operators' timetables for your travel date to plan the transfer and arrival in Chichibu, then head to your booked lodging.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculationChichibu Railway currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway regular fares by station

The Bonsai Art Museum usually closes Thursdays, while the Manga Hall closes Mondays and on dates including the next weekday after public holidays. Choose a day when both are open.

Chichibu Shrine and festival exhibits

Visit the nearby shrine and festival exhibits, then spend a second night at the same lodging in Chichibu. Head to Nagatoro the next day.

  1. Chichibu Station → Chichibu Shrine

    Start at Chichibu Shrine for its buildings and carvings. It is about a 3-minute walk from Chichibu Railway's Chichibu Station. This plan covers a regular shrine visit and exterior views; prayer services and shrine items cost extra. Tourism guidance lists gate hours as 5:00 AM–8:00 PM, opening at 6:00 AM in winter.

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

  2. Around Chichibu Shrine → Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan

    See festival floats, materials, and recreation videos at Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan. Adult admission is ¥500. Hours are 9:00 AM–5:00 PM April–November and 10:00 AM–5:00 PM December–March, with last admission at 4:30 PM. This is an exhibition visit rather than attendance at the festival itself. Afterward, eat nearby and explore the streets. Return to the same lodging in Chichibu for your second night after sightseeing and your meal.

    Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan hours, closures, and adult admission

Matsuri Kaikan closes on the fourth and fifth Tuesdays March–November, Tuesdays December–February, and during the year-end holiday period, among other dates. Check official guidance for holiday and festival exceptions.

Final day · Nagatoro's riverside and Mount Hodo, then Shinjuku

See the riverside and mountain views before returning to Shinjuku. Check out of your Chichibu lodging and take your bags to Nagatoro Tourist Information Center. It is open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; storage starts at ¥100 per item. Confirm accepted sizes, prices, and same-day availability. Storage is unavailable December 29–31 and during temporary bad-weather closures; collect stored bags before 5:00 PM. If storage is unavailable, skip Nagatoro sightseeing and return with your bags via Kumagaya to Shinjuku. Reduce your sightseeing if the weather or service conditions do not suit the plan.

  1. Chichibu Station → Nagatoro Station

    For riverside and mountain views, take Chichibu Railway toward Kumagaya to Nagatoro. The regular one-way fare is ¥550. On this final day, continue toward Kumagaya and Shinjuku after sightseeing rather than returning to Chichibu.

    Chichibu Railway currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway regular fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Center hours and luggage storage

  2. Nagatoro Station → Iwadatami

    Iwadatami is about a 5-minute walk 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 the rocks slippery or access is restricted. Paid riverboat trips and rafting are excluded.

    Nagatoro tourism association's Iwadatami access guide

  3. Around Nagatoro Station → Hodosan Ropeway lower station

    Walk about 20 minutes from Nagatoro Station to the Hodosan Ropeway's lower station. The free shuttle runs on selected dates, so it is not part of the standard route.

    Walking access from Nagatoro Station to Hodosan Ropeway

  4. Lower station → Mountain visit, then Nagatoro Station

    Take the ropeway up for mountain scenery, then ride back down. The adult round-trip fare is ¥1,200. Standard service runs 9:40 AM–5:00 PM, with changes for seasons, crowds, and weather. Check the seasonal schedule and suspension notices for your date. Walk back to the Nagatoro Station area after descending.

    Hodosan Ropeway fares and standard timetableWalking access from Nagatoro Station to Hodosan Ropeway

  5. Nagatoro Station → Shinjuku Station via Kumagaya

    Collect your bags from the tourist information center and walk to Nagatoro Station. Take Chichibu Railway toward Kumagaya and transfer to JR. Chichibu Railway costs ¥850 one way; the JR paper through fare from Kumagaya to Shinjuku is ¥1,230. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train that runs via Omiya and stops at Shinjuku. This fare differs from exiting the gates at Omiya and buying two separate tickets. Check both timetables for your travel date to confirm the actual connection.

    JR East official station timetable searchJR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculationChichibu Railway currently linked weekday timetableChichibu Railway regular fares by stationNagatoro Tourist Information Center hours and luggage storage

Shorten riverside and mountain visits to suit the weather and service conditions. Coordinate both ropeway rides with the two railway timetables so you can collect your bags from the tourist information center before 5:00 PM and continue toward Kumagaya and Shinjuku.

Verified transportation and admission costs: ¥8,070 per adult

Included items: Shinjuku to Kawagoe ¥810 + Kawagoe to Omiya ¥350 + Omiya to Kumagaya ¥620 + Kumagaya to Chichibu ¥950 + Chichibu to Nagatoro ¥550 + Nagatoro to Kumagaya ¥850 + Kumagaya to Shinjuku ¥1,230 + Kitain ¥400 + Honmaru Palace ¥100 + City Museum ¥200 + Bonsai Art Museum ¥310 + Matsuri Kaikan ¥500 + Hodosan Ropeway round trip ¥1,200 = ¥8,070.

Extra costs and conditions: Lodging, meals, travel to and beyond Shinjuku, extra facilities, paid activities, and luggage storage such as lockers or tourist information services cost extra. Shrine prayer services and items, riverboats, and rafting are also excluded. This uses paper local tickets; recalculate if changing routes, seats, or discount conditions.

JR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculationVisiting KitainKawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace visitor guideKawagoe City Museum admission and closuresBonsai Art Museum admission, seasonal hours, and Thursday holiday exceptionsChichibu Matsuri Kaikan hours, closures, and adult admissionChichibu Railway regular fares by stationHodosan Ropeway fares and standard timetable

Frequently asked questions

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

Skip the mountain visit when the ropeway is suspended. The operator announces a scheduled inspection suspension December 7–26, 2026. For other dates, check actual service and weather too, then shorten final-day sightseeing to suit riverside access and return trains.

Hodosan December 2026 inspection suspensionHodosan Ropeway regular fares and timetable

How do I return to Shinjuku after Nagatoro?

Take Chichibu Railway from Nagatoro Station toward Kumagaya, then transfer there to JR for Shinjuku. Choose a Shonan-Shinjuku Line train that runs via Omiya and stops at Shinjuku. The Chichibu Railway one-way fare of ¥850 and JR paper through fare of ¥1,230 from Kumagaya to Shinjuku are calculated separately. Check connections using both timetables for your travel date. If your descent runs late, shorten the mountain visit to prioritize your return.

Chichibu Railway regular fares by stationChichibu Railway currently linked weekday timetableJR 2026 fare tableSaitama Prefecture railway distances for JR fare calculationJR East official station timetable search

Official sources and verification dates