Chichibu

Background

Chichibu City lies in the westernmost part of Saitama Prefecture and covers 577.83 square kilometres; its population is concentrated on the river terraces along the Arakawa River, and much of the city lies within Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. Rice farming is difficult here, so people have traditionally relied on sericulture; limestone from Mount Buko, south of the city centre, is an important source of local income, and the city is also known for its brewing industry. The night festival of Chichibu Shrine has been designated an intangible cultural heritage.

Local customs

• See the floats of the Chichibu Night Festival in December
• see the phlox at Hitsujiyama Park in spring
• walk the Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage and worship at Chichibu Shrine and Mitsumine Shrine.

Travel tips

• Chichibu is a mountain town in western Saitama, not the same place as Chichibugahama Beach on the coast of Kagawa Prefecture. The city area is large and the sights are scattered, so it is best to base yourself around Chichibu Station and explore over separate days. The Mitsumine Ropeway to Mitsumine Shrine stopped running in 2006 and was officially abolished in 2007
• check official announcements for how to get there.
• Take the Seibu Chichibu Line to Seibu-Chichibu Station, or the Chichibu Railway to Chichibu Station
• Seibu-Chichibu Station to Ikebukuro takes about an hour and a half, and train times are subject to official announcements. The night festival on 3 December is the liveliest time
• spring brings phlox
• the Kawase Festival, Chichibu Shrine's summer festival, is held on 19 and 20 July
• and the autumn leaves in the mountains are also worth seeing.