Though we have been to Chibubu quite a few times, there are always new places waiting to be discovered! Today we extended our journey from Chichibu to Nagatoro and Ashigakubo. First we took a Seibu train from Ikebukuro Station to Seibu Chichibu Station, and then walked along the street toward Chichibu Shrine and Chichibu Railway’s Chichibu Station. For sure we had to eat something before heading to the next stop, so we started with a miso pork rice bowl to fill our stomach and then a taiyaki to satisfy our sweet tooth. What a great start to the trip!
It took us less than 20 minutes to travel from Chichibu to Nagatoro by train. Speaking of Nagatoro, first things coming to mind might be rafting and shaved ice dessert made from naturally formed ice. But since wintersweet is in full bloom, we decided to check out the Hodosan Shrine first and then ride the ropeway to see the little yellow flowers. At the shrine we drew an omikuji (fortune-telling paper strip) for the first time this year. May everything goes well in 2017, the Year of the Rooster!
Hodosan Shrine
Access: About 10 minutes walk from Chichibu Railway Nagatoro Station
Website: click here
At 497 meters tall, the summit of Mt. Hodo is easily accessible by hiking or the ropeway. Arriving at the hilltop garden, we were welcomed by thousands of blooming wintersweet. The gentle fragrance of these little yellow flowers reminded us of an old folk song depicting someone riding a donkey to admire the beauty and fragrant aroma of wintersweet on a sunny winter day. Except that we couldn’t ride a donkey, the song really was a nice summary to our flower-viewing trip.
Hodosan Wintersweet Garden
Time: The ropeway operates between 9:40 and 17:00, viewing season of wintersweet is expected to last until end of February.
*The best time to see the flowers may vary.
Access: Nagatoro Station-(about 10-min walk)-Hodosan Ropeway’s Sanroku Station-(about 5-min by ropeway)-Hodosan Ropeway’s Sancho Station
Admission: 820 yen for a return trip on the ropeway
Website: click here
Getting off the mountain, we still got some time before sunset to explore Nagatoro. So we went to the riverbank to see the nature wonder of “Iwadatami”. The terrain resembles a laid out tatami mat hence the name translates to tatami mat of rocks. It’s like a mini version of Grand Canyon! Next time we definitely have to spend more time here and try the rafting as well.
Nagatoro Iwadatami
Access: About 5 minutes walk from Nagatoro Station
Website: click here
Our last mission for today is to see the Ashigakubo icicles. Apart from the usual daytime display, these enormous icicles are illuminated on Fridays and weekends. The sheer number of icicles is overwhelming already, and the color-changing illumination adds a scent of mystery and romance to these ice wonders. During the event period, some of the Red Arrow limited express trains will make additional stop at Ashigakubo. That adds one more reason to visit Chichibu and the neighboring Nagatoro and Ashigakubo before the winter is gone, doesn’t it?
Ashigakubo icicles
Date: 2017, Jan 6 (Fri) ~ Feb 26 (Sun)
Time: 9:00~16:00, open until 20:00 when the venue is lit up with illumination on Fridays and weekends.
*The venue may be closed for bad weather.
Access: About 10 minutes walk from Ashigakubo Station
Admission: 200 yen
Website: click here
跑玩日本 