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October

The Seibu Traveling Restaurant - fifty two seats of happiness

  • All year
  • Other

This sightseeing train, which opens on April 17, 2016, is actually a restaurant. It is also known by the nickname "The Seibu Traveling Restaurant - fifty two seats of happiness". It connects the city center with the tourist areas Chichibu and Kawagoe on the Seibu Line, providing a completely enjoyable and relaxing experience during the ride.

https://www.seiburailway.jp/railways/seibu52-shifuku/en/

Seibu Chichibu Ekimae Onsen Matsurinoyu

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

This hot spring facility complex located in front of Seibu-Chichibu Station is based on the concept of the famous Chichibu festivals.
The complex reveals the full charm of Chichibu, as it boasts a diverse hot spring area, a food court area offering a great variety of Chichibu delicacies, and a merchandise sales area selling specialty products that are perfect as souvenirs.

Website:
http://www.seibu-leisure.co.jp/matsuri/ (Japanese Website)

A short walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station

BELLUNA DOME

  • All year
  • Other

This dome coexists nicely in the natural environment, with a pleasant breeze blowing in from the Sayama Hills. The roof of the dome is supported with V-shaped pillars, to allow the natural breeze inside. The entire circumference is open to the outside, without walls, for a bright and spacious atmosphere that feels like sitting under the shade of a tree. The stadium is used for a variety of events other than baseball games, such as concerts, sporting events, exhibitions, and athletic meets. You can also enjoy a nice meal at "Shishi" (Chinese) or "Sher" (Curry) nearby.

A short walk from Seibukyūjō-mae Station

Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma

  • All year
  • Other

Enjoy shopping for a wide variety of brand name products, both from Japan and overseas, at this outlet park. In addition to shipping, you can enjoy food and culture that is unique to this region.

https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/mop/iruma/english/

Approximately 10 minutes by bus from Irumashi Station

Whitewater Boating in Nagatoro

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

In summer, enjoy a thrilling boat ride down the river. A popular tourist attraction during winter in Nagatoro is to enjoy the beauty of the Arakawa River while sailing along comfortably in a warm kotatsu (Japanese foot warmer with a quilt over it) boat. Don't miss the wonderful sights on the river, such as the Iwadatami rock formation and the red walls of Chichibu.

http://www.chichibu-omotenashi.com/en/nagatoro.html

Approximately 3 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway Line

Hot springs in Chichibu

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

Chichibu is famous for its hot springs, and there are many spas that you can visit on a day trip. It is nice to relax in a hot spa after spending an active day hiking or fruit picking activities.

Seibu-Chichibu Station

Toshimaen Niwa-no-Yu

  • All year
  • Other

Surrounded by a natural green environment, Toshimaen Niwa-no-Yu is a relaxing hot spring spa where you can let time slip away. At Toshimaen Niwa-no-Yu, you can feel the passage of time as the flowers change with the seasons. In addition to the natural hot spring, the facility is full of a variety of services for your enjoyment, such as bade pools, saunas, and meals featuring seasonal cuisine.

http://www.niwanoyu.jp/ (Japanese Website)

Approximately 3 minutes on foot from Toshimaen Station

Sayama Ski Resort

  • Spring
  • Autumn
  • Winter
  • Other

This indoor ski resort is adjacent to BELLUNA DOME, located not too far from the center of the city. The 320-meter long, 30-meter wide slope is kept in best condition with high quality snow from snowmaking machines. This ski resort also features nighttime lighting so you can enjoy all-night skiing on Friday and Saturday nights. (Be sure to check the dates when the facility is open.) Rental equipment is available for convenience when you make last-minute skiing plans, such as when you are on your way home from work. Snowboarders are also welcome.

http://www.seibu-leisure.co.jp/ski_web/ (Japanese Website)

A short walk from Seibukyūjō-mae Station

BIGBOX Takadanobaba

  • All year
  • Other

BIGBOX Takadanobaba is the symbol tower in Takadanobaba, where students and other young people gather. In addition to a fitness club, golf school, bowling, and other sports that can be enjoyed throughout the year, a variety of amusement facilities are also available. Restaurants, banquet halls, and Japanese pubs are located at the top of the tower, on the 9th floor. You can also enjoy a variety of shopping areas on the first and second floors.

http://seibu-shop.jp/baba/en/

A short walk from Takadanobaba Station

DyDo Drinco Ice Arena

  • All year
  • Other

This is an all-weather indoor skating rink. In addition to skating, a variety of skating schools are available. Figure skating competitions and ice hockey matches are held here on an international-size rink for both students and adults.

A short walk from Higashi-Fushimi Station

BIGBOX Higashi-Yamato and Higashi-Yamato Skate Center

  • All year
  • Other

BIGBOX Higashi-Yamato is a fully equipped sports and amusement facility where you can enjoy bowling, tennis, and karaoke. A rental video shop, CD shop, bookstore, game arcade, restaurants, and banquet halls are among the wide variety of places to visit here. At Higashi-Yamato Skate Center, located next door, you can enjoy indoor skating at any time of the year. In addition to skating, you can take lessons or rent the rink for private events.

http://www.seibu-leisure.co.jp/web/ (Japanese Website)

A short walk from Higashi-Yamato Station

Tamarokuto Science Center

  • All year
  • Other

In the 5 exhibition rooms divided into "Meet the Science", "Body & Senses", "System & Mechanism", "Life & Environment" and "Geoscience", visitors can have fun while getting hands-on experience with science. You can also enjoy viewing the star-filled sky in the planetarium, which can project 140 million stars (the largest number in the world) on the brand new and world's largest dome screen (27.5m in diameter). Both children and adults will be awestruck by the huge images that can be projected on this screen.

http://www.tamarokuto.or.jp/english/

Approximately 5 minutes by bus from Hana-Koganei Station

Oizumi Anime Gate

  • All year
  • Other

Life-sized anime characters will greet you at the entrance to Oizumi, the land where Japanese animation originated. In this pleasant atmosphere, visitors can enjoy "Nerima, the Number One Anime Town" and a graphic wall that shows the history of anime and Oizumi in photographs.

Japanese only (with a translation function):
http://animation-nerima.jp/nerima-and-animation/animegate/

A short walk from Ōizumi-gakuen Station

Miyazawako Hot Spring "Kirari Bettei"

  • All year
  • Other

Miyazawako Hot Spring "Kirari Bettei", which you can visit on a day trip, is a spa facility nestled beside Lake Miyazawa in Hanno City. You can enjoy a variety of hot spring baths, such as open-air baths and baths with a high concentration of carbonated spring, while overlooking Lake Miyazawa. This facility provides all the comforts you need to refresh your mind and body in a grand natural environment.

http://www.yurakirari.com/kirari-net/miyazawako_top.html (Japanese Website)

Approximately 5 minutes by bus from Hannō Station

Chichibu Railway Steam Locomotive, The Paleo Express

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
  • Other

Chichibu Railway has operated this steam locomotive between Kumagaya Station and Mitsumineguchi Station since March 1988. It is well-known as the steam locomotive that is located closest to Tokyo. The Paleo Express runs mainly on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Grape Picking for Tourists

  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

Chichibu is well-known for its large and sweet grapes. "Chichibu Mountain Rubies", an original type of grape unique to Chichibu, are popular for being seedless, and you can eat them with the skin on. Grapes taste the best when you eat them in nature as you pick them! Grapes are in season in August and September.

Seibu-Chichibu Station

Chichibu's Local Sake

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

Traditional brewing techniques are used to make alcoholic drinks with the abundant water in Chichibu. The whiskey, wine, and especially Japanese sake from this area are famous and popular as souvenirs. You can also visit brewing factories and a brewery museum to learn about brewing.

Seibu-Chichibu Station

Miso Potato

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

This enjoyable food features sweet miso sauce on deep-fried potato. It is a famous inexpensive but delicious dish that is popular in Chichibu as a side dish, a snack, or an appetizer. Many supermarkets in the Chichibu region offer miso potato for sale in their deli section. The combination of salty-sweet miso and tasty potato is a delicious collaboration.

Seibu-Chichibu Station

Waraji Katsudon (Cutlet on Rice)

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

This is a delicious rice dish, served on top with two large, seasoned cutlets covered in a secret miso sauce. The name comes from the fact that cutlets look like a pair of straw sandals. The combination of large, crisp, deep-fried cutlets with a sauce that is unique to each store is delicious.

Seibu-Chichibu Station

Natural Shaved Ice

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

This shaved ice uses special ice naturally made from Chichibu's famous water. With just a single bite of this fluffy ice dessert, you'll understand why customers line up even in the winter! The original syrup made from natural fruit juices that change with each season is also delicious!

Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway Line

Chichibu's Soba Noodles

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

Chichibu soba noodles are made from the natural environment in Chichibu and the clear water from the upstream Arakawa River that flows through Saitama and Tokyo. These noodles have a firm texture with a full flavor. Don't miss the hands-on experience of making Chichibu soba noodles.

Seibu-Chichibu Station

Kawagoe's Eel Dishes

  • All year
  • Kawagoe

Since long ago, this area's famous eel cuisine has been made from eels that can be caught on the banks of the Iruma River and the Arakawa River, and Kawagoe's famous soy sauce. People here continue to keep the traditional flavor that is based on a secret sauce that was developed over many years by stores throughout Kawagoe.

Hon-Kawagoe Station

Kawagoe's Sweet Potato Dishes

  • All year
  • Kawagoe

Since long ago, the people of Kawagoe have loved sweet potatoes, either roasted or prepared in a variety of other ways. Sweet potatoes from all around Japan are available in Kawagoe, thus it is known as the City of Sweet Potatoes. You can enjoy a wide variety of sweet potato dishes, including unique "potato kaiseki" dishes, potato soba noodles, potato udon noodles, and many types of desserts.

Hon-Kawagoe Station

COEDO Beer

  • All year
  • Kawagoe

This is Japan's leading craft beer. "Beniaka", the world's first sweet potato beer, is very popular with fans around the world. During the Edo period, Kawagoe prospered as the kitchen of Edo. The name COEDO is derived from "a town as prosperous as Edo" or "a town reminiscent of the Edo period".

Hon-Kawagoe Station

Kinchakuda and Koma River

  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Other

This terrain was formed by the meandering nature of the Koma River. Its name comes from the fact that the area appears shaped like a purse (Kinchaku in Japanese) when viewed from the north side of Mt. Hiwada. This area is also famous for flowers. In autumn, 1 million red spider lilies (best viewed in mid to late September) bloom in the forests, and cosmos (best viewed in early to mid October) bloom in the flower gardens. In spring, field mustard flowers (best viewed from late March to early April) bloom colorfully. The Koma River flows gently in Kinchakuda, which is ideal for fishing and playing in the water. You can enjoy the cool breeze in the shade of a tree, and you might be lucky enough to spot a kingfisher or Japanese woodpecker.

http://www.kinchakuda.com/ (Japanese Website)

Approximately 15 minutes on foot from Koma Station

Tetsugakudo Park

  • All year
  • Other

The late Dr. Enryo Inoue, a philosopher and educator who founded the Philosophy Academy (now Toyo University), established this park in 1904. There are 77 famous locations related to philosophy in the park, including "Rokukendai (Tower for Six Sages)", which honors the six sages of the East, as well as "Shiseido (Shrine for Four Philosophers)", which honors the world's four great philosophers (Confucius, Buddha, Socrates, and Kant).

Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Araiyakushi-mae Station

Koganei Park

  • All year
  • Other

This city park was opened in 1940. The park grounds, which are rich in the abundant natural environment of the Musashino region, include a number of areas where visitors can relax, such as a sports area, a play area, and rows of cherry trees. This park is popular as a place for rest and relaxation.

Approximately 5 minutes by bus from Hana-Koganei Station

Kitayama Park

  • All year
  • Other

Kitayama Park is located in Higashi-Murayama, which is blessed with such a rich natural environment that it is hard to believe you are in Tokyo.
This large natural park with abundant water and greenery is located near Hachikokuyama, which is the origin of "Shichikokuyama" (a play on words) that appeared in the movie "My Neighbor Totoro". This park is famous for flowers. Approximately 8,000 irises bloom in early summer. Many people visit every year to enjoy the bright, purple flowers that seem to shine in the rain.

Approximately 13 minutes on foot from Higashi-Murayama Station

Musashi-Seki Park

  • All year
  • Other

This beautiful municipal park features at its center Fujimi Pond, which is one of the spring water ponds found on the Musashino Plateau. This vast park covers approximately 46,000 square meters and has many aquatic plants, such as reed, threeleaf arrowhead, and Manchurian wildrice, and groves of wisterias, azaleas, oak, beech, and cherry trees. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of flowers and greenery throughout all four seasons.

https://www.city.nerima.tokyo.jp/kankomoyoshi/annai/fukei/park/musashi/index.html (Japanese Website)

Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Higashi-Fushimi Station

Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park

  • All year
  • Other

This large memorial park is located on the site of the former Tokorozawa airfield, which used to be an aviation base. Tokorozawa has become known as the birthplace of Japanese aviation due to the balloon study group launched here in 1909 by the national government and subsequently be selected for an airfield. Visitors can relax at park facilities that include a general athletics field, tennis courts, and an outdoor stage. In 1911, the Tokorozawa Aviation Museum was built at Tokorozawa to commemorate Japan's first airfield. Airplanes from various eras are exhibited here.

Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park
http://www.parks.or.jp/tokorozawa-kokuu/ (Japanese Website)
Tokorozawa Aviation Museum
http://tam-web.jsf.or.jp/contxe/

A short walk from Kōkū-kōen Station

Shakujii Park

  • All year
  • Other

This municipal park is located in a wooded area of the Musashino region. To the west of the man-made Shakujii Pond is Sampoji Pond, which is made from spring water and is full of marsh plants. Both ponds can be found near the center of the park. This park is famous for boat rides and relaxing walks around the ponds. The area around Sampoji Pond is also famous among bird watchers for observing migratory birds and waterfowls. The "sounds of birds, water, and trees at Sampoji Pond" was selected by the former Environment Agency as one of the "Conserving 100 Soundscapes of Japan".

https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index006.html

Approximately 7 minutes on foot from Shakujii-kōen Station

Akebono Children's Forest Park

  • All year
  • Other

This municipal park was designated by the national government as the "Heisei Memorial Children's Forest Park" in September 1991. This park was opened based on the philosophy of "coexisting with nature, respecting oneself and freedom" that is found in a famous Scandinavian fairy tale. The park features terraced fields, a deck walk, and an event plaza, centered around themed structures such as a waterside cabin and bridge over the river. It is a wonderful location to relax while enjoying nature.

Approximately 20 minutes on foot from Motokaji Station

Red Spider Lilies

  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Other

Red spider lilies are autumn's red flowers.
Popular place to view red spider lilies along the Seibu Line: Kinchakuda in Koma

Hana Sannpo URL:
https://www.seiburailway.jp/railways/hanasanpo/english/manjushage/index.html

Cosmos

  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Other

Cosmos are cute flowers that reflect the clear autumn sky.
Popular place to view cosmos along the Seibu Line: Showa Kinen Park

Hana Sannpo URL:
https://www.seiburailway.jp/railways/hanasanpo/english/cosmos/index.html

Seas of Clouds

  • All year
  • Other

Seas of clouds appear to be floating islands of mountains. In Chichibu, you can view this fantastical scenery from Chichibu Musepark and Mitsumine Shrine.

Kashiya Yokocho (Alley of Candy Stores)

  • All year
  • Kawagoe

This slightly twisting alley is lined with many candy stores from the Edo period. You can discover many simple and nostalgic types of sweets and snacks that you can't help but try our purchase for later, such as rice crackers, hard candy, dango (sweet dumplings), manju (sweet buns), and potato sweets.

http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/

Approximately 22 minutes by bus from Hon-Kawagoe Station

Chichibu Shrine

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

This is a shrine to the guardian of the Chichibu region. The main shrine, a Gongen style structure rebuilt by Ieyasu Tokugawa, has been designated as a cultural property of Saitama Prefecture. The richly colored sculptures "Chained Dragon" and "Child-Rearing Tiger", by Hidari Jingoro (a famous sculptor and carpenter who left a splendid sculpture in Nikko Toshogu Shrine), are also tourist favorites.

http://www.chichibu-jinja.or.jp/ (Japanese Website)

Approximately 11 minutes on foot from Seibu-Chichibu Station

Chichibu Festival Museum

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

The Chichibu Night Festival represents the Chichibu region. This museum was opened so that visitors can experience the thrill of this festival at any time. Actual-size Yatai and Kasaboko festival floats are on display in the museum.

http://www.chichibu-matsuri.jp/ (Japanese Website)

Approximately 11 minutes on foot from Seibu-Chichibu Station

Hodosan Shrine

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

This shrine, located at the foot of Mt. Hodo, is dedicated to a god who provides good luck and guards against evil, fire, and theft. This shrine is often crowded with many visitors, because it has a lucky name that includes the character for "treasure". This famous site appears in the 2011 Michelin Green Guide Japan.

https://www.chichibu-omotenashi.com/en/index.php

Approximately 13 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway Line

Mitsumine Shrine

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

This is one of the famous power spots in the Kanto region. The shrine is located in a grove of cedars that are hundreds of years old. Visitors come from all over Japan to receive power from the ancient cedar trees (estimated at 800 years old) standing on both sides of the stone steps that overlook the front shrine.

https://www.chichibu-omotenashi.com/en/index.php

Approximately 75 minutes by bus from Seibu-Chichibu Station

Ryusei (handmade dragon rockets) Festival

  • Autumn
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

This festival is held at Muku Shrine on the second Sunday of October each year. Every year, about 30 dragon rockets are shot high into the sky with a roaring sound. This is famous for appearing in the anime "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day".

Seibu-Chichibu Station

Chichibu Meisen (woven fabric)

  • All year
  • Chichibu/Nagatoro

This product, local to Chichibu, was designated as a national traditional craft. It was a popular fabric throughout Japan, and was worn by women in fashionable clothing from the Taisho period until the early Showa period.

Seibu-Chichibu Station

Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower)

  • All year
  • Kawagoe

This bell is the town symbol of Kawagoe. It is said that the bell tower was built about 400 years ago by Tadakatsu Sakai, Lord of Kawagoe Castle. The bell is still rung 4 times each day at 6:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00. The sound of the bell matches this relaxing scenery perfectly. It was selected by the former Environment Agency as one of the "100 Protected Soundscapes of Japan".

http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/

Approximately 21 minutes by bus from Hon-Kawagoe Station

Kurazukuri Style Storehouses

  • All year
  • Kawagoe

The fire-resistant Kurazukuri style storehouses built during the Edo period can still be seen here. Visitors can experience the culture of the merchants of the Edo period, who were proud of their prosperity. In 2004, this area was selected for the "Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Gold Award" for outstanding development of a tourist area, in recognition of the maintenance and continuity of the traditional townscape.

http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/

Approximately 21 minutes by bus from Hon-Kawagoe Station

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

  • All year
  • Kawagoe

This shrine to the guardian of Kawagoe is loved by the people of the city. Because the gods enshrined here are two couples that were both very good matches, people have come here to pray for happy marriages or to find a spouse since long ago. In particular, people line up for the lucky "Enmusubi Tama (marriage stones)" that are handed to the first 20 marriage seekers every morning at 8am.

http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/

Approximately 16 minutes by bus from Hon-Kawagoe Station

Honmaru Goten (Primary Hall) of Kawagoe Castle

  • All year
  • Kawagoe

This is a portion of Kawagoe Castle, which was erected in 1457 and later expanded upon by Nobutsuna Matsudaira, a Kawagoe feudal lord. Unfortunately, the castle was dismantled after the Meiji Restoration. Only the entrance to the primary hall and the large assembly hall are the original structures, and the rest of the building was restored in 1968. Visitors can still see evidence of scale of the lord's 170,000 koku (unit used to express the rank of a feudal lord) and Kawagoe's prosperity, such as the copper plates on the roof that show the Tokugawa clan crest with the three-leaf hollyhock insignia.

http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/

Approximately 15 minutes by bus from Hon-Kawagoe Station

Kawagoe Kitain Temple

  • All year
  • Kawagoe

This is the main temple of the Kanto Tendai Sect. It is said to have been built in 830 by Jikaku-Daishi Ennin, a priest of the sect. There are many important cultural properties on the temple grounds, including the main shrine and the pagoda. Visitors shouldn't miss the autumn leaves in the garden of the main hall, as well as the 500 Statues of Rakan. This Rakan group is selected as one of the best three Rakan groups in Japan.

http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/

Approximately 8 minutes by bus from Hon-Kawagoe Station

Kawagoe Festival Museum

  • All year
  • Kawagoe

This museum was opened to pass on the more than 350-year history of the Kawagoe Festival to future generations. Exhibits of floats and projections of festival images on large screens express the passion and excitement of the actual festival.  

http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/

Approximately 21 minutes by bus from Hon-Kawagoe Station

Kawagoe Festival

  • Autumn
  • Kawagoe

This festival is held in Kawagoe on the third Saturday and Sunday of October each year. The main point of interest is watching participants carry the beautifully decorated floats in the main Hikkawase event (float performance competition). At this event, several of the floats face off in a musical competition (flutes, drums, gongs, and dance) leading to an exciting climax at night.

Hon-Kawagoe Station

Higashifushimi Inari Shrine

  • All year
  • Other

This temple was established in 1929 as Kanto region's Fushimi Inari after receiving a part of the holy spirit from the main Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Thus, the name "Higashifushimi" for address and station come from this temple. Originally, this shrine was dedicated to a god of agriculture. However, it is also used to pray for art, family harmony, long life, and prosperous business. This shrine is popular with visitors at the New Year and Hatsu-uma (the first day of the horse) in February.

http://www.higashifushimi-inari.jp/ (Japanese Website)

Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Higashi-Fushimi Station

Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum

  • All year
  • Other

This open air museum is located in Koganei Park. It is an annex of the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Structures with a high cultural value have been relocated and restored. A wide variety of buildings were restored, such as thatched private houses and shops that reproduce the downtown atmosphere. A variety of events are also held throughout all four seasons.

https://www.tatemonoen.jp/english/

Approximately 5 minutes by bus from Hana-Koganei Station

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