Major city · Japan
Chichibu秩父市
Spend a half‑day for the shrines and Hitsujiyama Park; add a night for the December Yomatsuri festival.
Chichibu is a small city in Saitama, about 1½ h from central Tokyo. Its main attractions – Hijiri Shrine, Chichibu Shrine, Hitsujiyama Park and the steam‑train ride – fit into a half‑day. The famous night festival in early December justifies an overnight stay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Dec for festival
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid)
- Airports
- HND · NRT
- Nights
- 0–1 (festival night)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chichibu110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chichibu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyChichibu is generally safe; watch for crowded festival streets and keep an eye on belongings on trains.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHND Tokyo Haneda Airport (About 80 km (50 mi) (≈1 h 30 min by limited‑express train) from Chichibu).HND Tokyo Haneda Airport (About 50 mi (80 km) (≈1 h 30 min by limited‑express train) from Chichibu).
- Getting aroundWalk or rent a bicycle for the temple circuit; local buses connect Nagatoro and the river boat.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HND Tokyo Haneda Airport (About 80 km (50 mi) (≈1 h 30 min by limited‑express train) from Chichibu) · NRT Narita International Airport (About 110 km (68 mi) (≈2 h by train) from Chichibu)HND Tokyo Haneda Airport (About 50 mi (80 km) (≈1 h 30 min by limited‑express train) from Chichibu) · NRT Narita International Airport (About 68 mi (110 km) (≈2 h by train) from Chichibu)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Oct–Dec. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chichibu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or rent a bicycle for the temple circuit; local buses connect Nagatoro and the river boat. The Seibu Chichibu Line brings you to the city centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nagatoro
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
JR Chichibu Line to Nagatoro, then river boat
Scenic boat ride on the Arakawa River.
SL Paleo Express
goDoor to door: ≈30 min ride
Board the heritage steam train at Chichibu Station
Seasonal operation; check timetable.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Chichibu Station area
Convenient for train arrivals; several budget inns and guesthouses.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse dorm bed1 × 1 night × ¥3,500 | ¥3,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ¥5,000 | ¥5,000 |
| Ikebukuro → Chichibu (Seibu Limited‑Express)1 × ¥1,240 · check | ¥1,240 |
| Bicycle rental (half‑day)1 × ¥800 | ¥800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥1,050 |
| Trip total≈ ¥11,590 per person per day, bed included | ¥11,590≈ US$80 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Soba at Oomuraincludes pork cutlet option | ¥800–1,200 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Steam train ticketcheck schedule | ¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14) |
| River boat ride | ¥1,200–1,800 (≈ US$9–13) |
| Local bus ridecheck | ¥210–¥340 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Limited‑express Red Arrow requires a surcharge; check schedule for seat reservation.
- Festival crowds can block streets in early December; plan early arrival.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Chichibu秩父市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Tokyo; other embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ikebukuro → Chichibu (Seibu Limited‑Express): about ¥1,240 (≈ US$9) one‑way, 1½ h (check)
- Bicycle rental (half‑day): ≈¥800
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chichibu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Nov, Dec for festival · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night for the Yomatsuri festival (Dec 2‑3).
- Bike rental for the 34‑temple pilgrimage (multi‑day).
Sources
Ask about Chichibu
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