Itinerary: Day Trip to Chichibu from Tokyo
Chichibu is a beautiful area that is easily accessible from Tokyo, making it a great spot for a day trip. If you're looking for nature, culture, and good food, not to be cheesy, but Chichibu has it all!
Here we'll go over some of the region's highlights, as well as detailed transportation information to help you get there and back. Of course, if you like it enough, you can always stay overnight and drink whiskey into the night instead, we won't stop you.
Destinations
Mitsumine Shrine
The atmospheric Mitsumine Shrine is a popular center for mountain worship at the summit of Mount Mitsumine. Where a typical shrine entrance is marked by a single torii gate, Mitsumine Shrine is marked by a rare triple torii, called a mitsu-torii. In front of it stand two stone wolves, a symbol of Mitsumine Shrine as it is said a wolf guided Yamato Takeru to this spot to enshrine the two deities known for creating the region. Wolves are an important part of the shrine's story, as they once roamed the region, and were considered guardians against misfortune.
About an hour is needed for the shrine grounds, but if you want to spend longer, there are a small number of restaurants and shops, and lots of hiking trails.
Oshimaya
Oshimaya is a restaurant serving udon and soba noodles, as well as the local specialty called Waraji Katsudon. This is a type of fried pork on white rice, and the pork cutlet is shaped like a waraji, a traditional straw sandal. If the weather is nice, you can sit on the outdoor seating with a view across the mountains. On our visit, it was misty, but there were deer visible from the outdoor seating.
Prices for a meal range from 900 - 1,200 yen. At the time of our visit, there was no English on the menu (my recommendation to remember and say to staff: Waraji Katsudon!)
Chichibu Shrine
Chichibu Shrine has much smaller grounds than Mitsumine Shrine, and is within walking distance of Seibu Chichibu Station. Chichibu Shrine also has elaborate carvings on its main hall, depicting creatures both real and mythical. The shrine's current buildings date back to 1592, but the shrine itself is said to be over 1,000 years old. It is also known as the home shrine of the annual December Chichibu Night Festival. A special feature of the shrine is their invisible fortunes, which become visible when dipped in water, like in the on-site stream.
About 15 minutes is enough to explore Chichibu Shrine.
Bamba Street
Connecting Chichibu Shrine to Seibu Chichibu Station is the retro Bamba Street. Many of the buildings date back to the early 1900s, with a number of the shops and restaurants operating in Registered Tangible Cultural Properties.
The walk from one end to the other takes under 10 minutes. Many of the restaurants only open in the evenings on weekends, but a few shops might be open on any given day. I found a taiyaki (sweet pastry in a fish shape) spot open on my visit.
Highlander Inn
Whether you're a whiskey lover or not, the Highlander Inn is a lovely place to end the day, as it has a very cozy atmosphere inherited from the old traditional building it is located in. Their specialty is whiskey, with a whole array of whiskeys from around the world, but particularly from the different regions of Scotland. If you want to dip your toe in the whiskey world, you can do what I did and try a whiskey-based cocktail. But there are also various other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from, as well as a British-inspired food menu (yes, there is fish and chips).
Drinks range from 900 - 1,600 yen per glass and food 500 - 3,000 per dish.
Transport
Between Ikebukuro and Chichibu
Departing from Ikebukuro is the easiest way to get to Chichibu from Tokyo, as there is a limited express train that takes just under 80 minutes. For this train, you need a Limited Express ticket, as well as your basic fare ticket (which you can use your Suica or other IC card for). You can buy the Limited Express ticket at the Limited Express counter at Ikebukuro Station, or via the Seibu Railway's own booking site, Smooz.
Between Seibu Chichibu and Mitsumine Shrine
There is a bus that goes roughly once an hour to and from Seibu Chichibu Station and Mitsumine Shrine. Buses go from 8am and 2:30pm from Seibu Chichibu Station, and return between 10:20am (9:40am on weekends) and 4:30pm from Mistumine Shrine. You can use your IC card to board.
Around Central Chichibu
The rest of the spots on our itinerary are within walking distance of each other. Chichibu Shrine is the furthest spot from Seibu Chichibu Station, and takes around 15-20 minutes to walk to. Buses and taxis are also available from the station.