Wakamiko Shirne/ Seiun Temple
Currently a part of Chichibu city, but until 2004, this area was Arakawa-mura(village). If you board on Chichibu Railway train, let’s get off any stations among Urayamaguchi (浦山口), Bushu-Nakagawa(武州中川), Bushi-Hino(武州日野), Shiroku(白久), or Mitsuminegichi(三峰口). You will feel the real atmosphere of rural country.
If you enjoy picnic, or a little bit different cherry blossoms, walking around Bushu-Nakagawa station is one of the recommendations. Wakamiko shrine and Seiun temple , known as one of the cherry blossom spots from the middle of March to the beginning of April, is a “must” place to go.
Wakamiko shrine and Seiun temple are just next door each other. In that area, Shidare-Zakura reaches full blossoms in spring (the above) season so every year a lot of residents visit here for “Ohanami” (Cherry blossons viewing). The feature of Shidare-Zakura is that each branch droop down. “Shidare” meaning is from the drooping branch. This type of cherry blossom is also Chichibu “Sakura” feature.
Soba (Buckwheat noodle) cooking experience
Arakawa-mura is also called “Soba Village”. There are a lot of restaurants providing handmade soba. Arakawatei is one of the famous soba restaurants in Chichibu, just one minute walking from Bushu-Nakagawa station.
Very unique for this Arakawatei is not only delicious soba, but also providing soba cooking class. Even if you are not confident for cooking, it doesn’t matter. Anyone is welcomed to join the soba cooking class. A lot of young children are also challenging malaxating and chopping!
Are you interesting?
Book From Here
Select “Arakawa Soba Cooking Experience“
Best spot for walk!
What about going for a walk without map? The idyllic view around you is as if you were in old era, or in Japanese anime world. No specific plan, just start to walk wherever you like!
Restaurants & Other Activities
Restaurant & Cafe
・Arakawa-Tei
Just next to Bushu-Nakagawa Station and one of the most famous Soba restaurants in Chichibu. Not only eating, but you can experience hand-made soba making & cooking!
For soba making & cooking, booking is essential. For booking, click here!
・Parfait & Coffee Nishiki
There are not so much information in any website and tour guide books. If you spend your own time with calm, relaxation atmosphere, or if you go to a cafe which is not known so much, here is the best place for you!
(The below video is from Youtube, Saka-chan https://youtu.be/AcSpmFITJTg)
・Alfee
Great cafe & restaurant and you can feel home taste meals. One of the members of the famous music band “The Alfee”, Masaru Sakurai’s relatives are running this cafe.
(The below video is from Youtube, Chichiburushinya, https://youtu.be/vrS4_NySSAo)
Activities
・Ashigakubo Valley Fishing Area
Let’s enjoy fishing in natural forest and the river! You get off at Ashigakubo station on Seibu-Chichibu Line, then walk in the calm and relaxing area around 20 minutes. Bait and lure fishing are available! (Winter season DEC-FEB close)