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The entire town of Nagatoro in Saitama Prefecture, just two hours from Tokyo, is a designated prefectural natural park, with the gorgeous Arakawa River rushing through its heart.
Nagatoro Iwadatami
At the side of Arakawa River, rocks up to 80m by 500m are splayed out, resembling tatami, hence the name meaning—you guessed it—“rock tatami.” Japan’s first scenic natural monument was created naturally by changes in the earth’s crust, combined with river erosion.
Locomotive
Nagatoro station is a piece of civic history—it was constructed in 1911 to feature a Western-style structure that was the last word in modernity back then. The Paleo Express steam locomotive makes regular seasonal stops here.
529- 2 Nagatoro Nagatoromachi.Tel: 0494-66-0002.www.chichibu-railway.co.jp
Boating
Board a traditional Japanese boat and be punted by pole along the Arakawa River. The green and rocky Horaijima, along with the precipitous cliffs of Chichibu-Sekiheki—aka the “Red Walls of Chichibu”—provide the scenery.
Full course (6km) Adult ¥2,900/ Children ¥1,300. Half course (3km) Adult ¥1,550/ Children ¥750. Open: 9am-4pm. Nagatoro Line-Kudari.
Tel: 0494-66-0950.www.chichibu-railway.co.jp/line
Hodosan Jinja
At the foot of Mt. Hodo, this shrine was built almost 2,000 years ago, and has had generations of visitors come to pray for protection against disaster, theft, and hardships. Multicolored dragon sculptures come alive against the natural backdrop.
1828 Nagatoro Nagatoro-machi.Tel: 0494-66-0042.www.hodosan-jinja.or.jp
Seven Flower Temples
In case you didn’t know, the seven flowers of autumn are Japanese bush clover, Japanese pampas grass, arrowroot, fringed pink, golden lace, boneset, and balloon flower. Tour the town on foot or by bike and visit these seven temples, each of which displays one of the flowers. Tosho-in; Dokoji; Henjoji; Fudou-ji; Shinshoji Temple; Hozenji; Tahoji.
Funadama Matsuri
This annual summer festival is held every year on August 15 in Nagatoro. Its origin lies in requesting that the gods of water protect the boatmen. The event features mantosen, which are boats that carry stacks of lanterns, and 3,500 fireworks from both banks on Arakawa River.
Getting there from Tokyo
Seibu-Ikebukuro line from Ikebukuro to Seibu-Chichibu on the (80min, rapid express), then from Chichibu Railway Ohanabatake to Nagatoro (20min). JR Takasaki line from Ueno to Kumagaya on the (60min), then to Chichibu Railway Nagatoro (50min).
Nagatoro Tourist Information.Tel: 0494-66-3311.www.nagatoro.gr.jp
