Chichibu’s retro charm and sacred website

One of the best things to visit or live in Tokyo is the colorful zodiac signs surrounding the city’s day travel destinations. Among them, few places compete with the charm of Chichibu, which is a region that locals love for their seasonal beauty, nostalgic atmosphere and spiritual meaning. This historic city is located in the heart of the mountainous area of ​​Sitama County, just over an hour from the smooth Laview Limited Express train to Ikebukuro Station.

Chichibu has a large amount of treasures waiting to be discovered. Even on a day trip, you feel as if you’ve ejected hundreds of years in history and followed the Timeworn pilgrimage route and marvel at the charming retro diners who freeze in time. Read on to learn more about Chichibu’s best and how to easily access the area.

Time to walk back to Bamba Street

At the heart of Chichibu is Banba Street, a nostalgic place for the architectural gems of Taisho era that appear directly in a black and white film. We walked along the charming cobbled trails and explored several famous historic restaurants located in carefully preserved western Japanese architecture in the early 1900s.

Pari Shokudo

Pari Shokudo (Est. 1927), which translates to “Pari Restaurant”, is a dream for lovers of retro aesthetics and food. The space is decorated with old posters and eclectic little thieves, bringing visitors back to easier time. Run by third-generation owner Yoshitomo Kawabe, the restaurant is a registered tangible cultural property in Japan and is an integral part of its life capsules of history in the Showa period. Here I tasted the best Omurice of my life, perfectly paired with the glittering Guazu floats.

The appearance of a building itself is a sight. This is a rare remnant Kenchiku (Signature Architecture), in the early 20th century, a three-story building with an Art Deco style had a unique decorative exterior wall. Pari Shokudo is decorated with mottled grey walls and faded gold fonts, appropriately occupying the cover of Masakazu Hagino’s book in art form: Signature Architecture: The Shop and Lifestyle of the Week Era.

Chichibu’s Highlander

Highlander Inn Chichibu is a Highlander Inn Inn chichibu, a bar that combines Scottish culture with Japanese hospitality. We spoke with Managing Director Kotaro Iwasaki, who introduced us to Chichibu’s incredible whiskey, Service with bar food. “I was originally from Chiba and spent a long time in Tokyo,” he told us. “But when I had the opportunity to shape an abandoned traditional building into a lively cultural integration hub, I took the opportunity.”

Highlander’s delicious menu, which includes Scottish bar classics such as Haggis, Cottage Pie, Fish and Chips, complements its unique beverage menu, which includes Japanese, Irish and Scotch beer, malt malt and cereal whiskey, Honey wine and cocktails. Our favorite is Ichigo’s malt whiskey trio – mature in Chichibu, Vatt and bottles – and the fragrant Chichibu Hyakka, a sweet wine made from Chichibu wildflower honey.

Living room Koizumi

For coffee lovers visiting Japan relative Culture is a must. Kissaten transformed into a “tea-drinking shop”, a comfortable and atmospheric coffee shop that became a side of Japan’s post-war Western influence. The small wooden hall run by a family of four is the best in the genre, effortlessly encapsulating the warm palette and optimistic spirit of the Zhongniu Niu era. We devoured the store’s famous parfait and warm coffee while scattering the space’s effortlessly calm atmosphere and home decor.

Saiko-ji (No. 16 Fudasho)

Arrival on the pilgrimage to Chichibu Kannon

For hundreds of years, worshippers have been following the route of Cannon’s pilgrimage to strengthen their ties with Cannon, a Buddhist god of mercy and sympathy. Japan 100 Kannon refers to three different temple circuits: SAIkOKU pilgrimage to the west, Bando pilgrimage to the east and Chichibu pilgrimage to the east.

“The Chichibu Pilgrimage is special because it includes 34 temples, unlike the other two,” explained Tetsuhiro Aratani (No. 32), the principal pastor of Hosho-Ji Temple. “In the early 13th century it consisted of 33 temples, symbolizing 33 different forms of Kannon-Sama, but a temple was added in the 16th century to create 100 Japanese.” The Chichibu route extends about 100 kilometers, and is also the shortest of the three routes, making it relatively accessible.

fudasho: The ruins of Buddhist spirituality

The temple of Chichibu pilgrimage is called fudashoThis name dropped from the old practice of the pilgrim nailing the wooden nameplate (Escape) Mark their visits on the temple. During our trip with Aratani we visited three Fudashos.

Jigen-Ji (No. 13) houses the Yakushi Nyorai statue, which is said to help improve the eye health of visitors. At the Ame-Yakushi Music Festival on July 8, the temple displays wooden patches engraved with the character “eye” and sells black sesame seed “Bukkaki” candies for eye health.

Imamiya-Bo (No. 14), which covers a rare 1300-year-old half lotus seat statue Heavenhas an interesting history. It used to share its foundation with the Imamiya Shrine, but the two were cut off during the Meiji era due to government decrees that separated Shinto and Buddhism.

Saiko-ji (No. 16) contains the oldest relics of the Pilgrimage of Chichibu – It damn itor the hall of devotion, originated in 1234. It has a rare tranquility, with beautiful willow trees in its center. Here you can stand on the beach sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage Routeand through a corridor that houses unique sculpture copies of the main images of all temples.

Chichibu Shrine: The Heart of Shinto

Interestingly, Chichibu is also home to a famous Shinto shrine 2000 Years of history. Chichibu Shrine is home to the Chichibu Night Festival held every December, but it is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit any time of the year. Make sure to try mizu-ura mikuji Here – a fortune telling slip, which is revealed only when the words are immersed in the water.

During our visit we were shocked by the vividness and complexity of the main hall animal carvings that were apparently repainted not long ago. Note the three monkey carvings, which reverses the traditional description of the three wise monkeys – often with the proverb “not seeing evil, not listening to evil, not speaking evil” – rather than embodying “seeing well, listening, and speaking well”.

Pink Moss Dynasty Ocean of Hitsujiyama Park

Because of its proximity to Tokyo Central, Chichibu makes the city shorter from the city. The best part is that the natural vision of Chichibu is not limited by the season: the winter brings charming icicles and the autumn has coveted leaves.

During our trip we were lucky enough to catch Hitsujiyama Park’s amazing hillside of Shibazakura Reaching its peak. From mid-April to early May each year, about 400,000 pink bryophytes in the region bloom and flourish, forming an extraordinary floral scent. By the layered ocean Pink and purplethe majestic Mount Buko rose in the distance, creating a truly memorable sight. In early April, the park has a variety of cherry trees.

Spa relaxation in Mossoori

Although Japanese hot springs are world-renowned, not all Onsens are easily available. What makes Chichibu unique among hot spring destinations is its unparalleled accessibility. Matsuri no yu is right near the gorgeous Seibu-Chichibu station so you can enjoy a soaking right after your arrival or at the end of your trip.

The name “Matsuri no yu” means “festive bath”, paying tribute to Chichibu’s rich festival culture. The facility features four types of open-air bathrooms, a large food court for local cuisine, and offers a souvenir section of local cuisine, a must-see.

How to access chichibu

To get to Chichibu from central Tokyo, take the Laview Limited Express train from Ikebukuro Station. Featuring gorgeous antenna yellow seats, wide windows with the best views, a clean bathroom, and Wi-Fi and exits, well-thought-out vehicles made by world-renowned architect Kazuyo Sejima ensure easy travel.

English-speaking people can book tickets in advance hereOr in SEIBU Tourism Information Center In Ikebukuro. (Operation time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM) Customer service is available in Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese.

The SEIBU 1-day pass (specially for foreign nationals) is the most convenient way to get from Tokyo to Chichibu. You can use the SEIBU Tourism Information Center (TIC) or Purchase in advance via Klookthis will provide you with a convenient QR code ticket. For more information, click here.

If you wish to visit multiple locations west of Tokyo during your trip, it is also highly recommended to use the SEIBU 1-day pass. It allows you to access unlimited rides on the SEIBU rail line of the day (not including the Tamagawa route).

In addition to the locations mentioned above, you can also visit the famous Nagatoro River for scenic boat rides, the historic town of Kawagoe, Moominvalley Park in Hanno and more. Book online on Klook or purchase at Seibu Travel Information Center. (Moominvalley Park Passes is available on Klook only.)