by Chichibu is located in the western part of Saitama Prefecture, just west of Tokyo, and is known as a peaceful, laid-back destination surrounded by mountains and rich nature.
The area is home to many unique shrines nestled in forested landscapes, where visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers throughout the year. Each season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—reveals a completely different “face” of nature, making Chichibu a place worth visiting again and again.
In recent years, Chichibu has also gained popularity as the setting for several anime works. Notably, it appears in Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, as well as in a Crayon Shin-chan movie featuring the Old Chichibu Bridge, attracting anime fans from all over Japan.
Chichibu is also an ideal destination for hiking enthusiasts, offering scenic mountain trails, historic shrines rich in tradition, and excellent ryokan hotels where visitors can relax and experience authentic Japanese hospitality.
The biggest annual event in Chichibu is the Chichibu Night Festival, held every December, and it is ranked among Japan’s top three float festivals alongside Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and the Takayama Matsuri.
Many visitors from across Japan travel to Chichibu to enjoy its sightseeing spots and camping experiences. However, for overseas travelers—including those from Australia—Chichibu remains relatively unknown. This makes it a perfect hidden gem: a peaceful, uncrowded destination for a truly special holiday.
Discover something new and refreshing in Chichibu, and let it be the highlight of your next adventure in Japan. Best of all, Chichibu can easily be combined with other popular destinations, making it an ideal addition to your Japan travel itinerary.
