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beautiful
Water scenery spreads
The banks of the Arakawa River
To Yorii Town, Saitama
About 1.5 hours by train or car from Shinjuku, Tokyo
Yorii Town (Osato-gun, Saitama Prefecture).
The Arakawa River runs through the town,
You can enjoy magnificent views from the steam locomotive windows.
In the Edo period, there used to be a wharf here.
Boats could enter and leave the Arakawa River from there.
Yorii Town, with its beautiful water scenery,
Why not go on a trip right away?
*The steam locomotive operates mainly on weekends from April to December.
The Arakawa River is a waterway
It supported the economy of Edo
The Arakawa River originates from Mount Kobushigatake, a mountain representative of Okuchichibu, and flows into Tokyo Bay. It was known as a rough river, but since the mid-Edo period it has been used for water transportation.
There used to be a wharf in the Sueno area of Yorii-machi, and boats carrying lumber and other goods to Edo traveled up and down the Arakawa River. Meanwhile, if you turn your attention to the Fuupu River, a tributary of the Arakawa River, you will arrive at Yamato Mizu, where water gushed forth from the legend that Yamato Takeru no Mikoto thrust his sword into a large rock face.
The Arakawa River, which supported the economy of Edo, and the Fufu River, which is supported by legends, can be said to have been indispensable to Yorii Town.
Nagatoro Rock Beds, tens of millions of years old
Inheriting the Great Nature
If you go a little upstream on the Arakawa River from Yorii Town, you will reach Nagatoro. Toro (deep water) is a place where the river is deep and calm, and it is a magnificent scenic spot that lives up to its name. Among other things, the rock formations formed by the erosion of crystalline schist formed about 85 to 66 million years ago by the flow of the Arakawa River are said to be a mecca for geological observation.
On the opposite bank, the cliffs formed by the Arakawa River flowing along the fault line, Chichibu Sekiheki, are also worth seeing. Some of you may have guessed it, but yes, it is named after the Sekiheki along the Yangtze River in China.
A bowl-shaped area on the banks of the Arakawa River,
Explore its history
Hachigata Castle, which is said to have been built by Nagao Kageharu, a vassal of the Uesugi clan of Yamanouchi, was a castle that benefited from the strategic use of the river. Later, Hojo Ujikuni entered the castle and it became an important base for controlling Kitamusashi (present-day northwestern Saitama Prefecture). Located on top of cliffs between the Arakawa and Fukazawa Rivers, it is advantageous for both offense and defense, and is said to have repelled even Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin.
However, during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attack on Odawara, the castle was surrounded by Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu, and after a month of fighting, the castle was surrendered. Unfortunately, it did not become an impregnable castle.
Currently, the castle itself no longer remains, but you can still see the moat and earthworks (partially restored). In spring, cherry blossoms and dogtooth violets bloom in Hachigata Castle Park, and as the seasons progress through summer and autumn, various other flowers can be seen. Please come and enjoy both history and a nature walk at the same time.
However, during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attack on Odawara, the castle was surrounded by Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu, and after a month of fighting, the castle was surrendered. Unfortunately, it did not become an impregnable castle.
Currently, the castle itself no longer remains, but you can still see the moat and earthworks (partially restored). In spring, cherry blossoms and dogtooth violets bloom in Hachigata Castle Park, and as the seasons progress through summer and autumn, various other flowers can be seen. Please come and enjoy both history and a nature walk at the same time.
Arakawa Festival: Beautiful lights reflected on the water
Summer is the season when the Arakawa River shines with color. The Nagatoro Funatama Festival, where boatmen pray to the water god for safety on the water, and the Yoriitamayodo Suitengu Festival, where the water god and Suitengu Shrine are worshipped, are held in August. At the former, lanterns are floated down the Arakawa River, and boats decorated with lanterns travel back and forth on the water, while at the latter, boat floats decorated with paper lanterns float down the Arakawa River. We recommend visiting in the summer to see these fantastical festivals.
Nagatoro Boat Festival
Provided by: Saitama Prefecture
Recommended Hotel
Recommended hotels
A hideaway-like atmosphere
It tickles the sense of superiority of the guests
KAMENOI HOTEL NAGATORO YORII
With a production unique to this area,
A special moment
KAMENOI HOTEL NAGATORO YORII between the Arakawa River and Lake Enrada. After undergoing full renovation, the hotel will reopen on April 1, 2025.
Upon entering the lobby, you will find a space reminiscent of Arakawadoko, with wooden boats reminiscent of the old docks. The restaurant has a theme of the Yorii Gourmet Festival, with a boat-shaped ceiling and lanterns reminiscent of Chichibu festivals, creating a modern Japanese atmosphere. For dinner, Bushu Sashi Pork, Bushu Wagyu Beef, Fukaya Beef, and seasonal fish such as trout and sweetfish will decorate the table. Please enjoy a special moment while immersing yourself in the moving scenery of the leisurely flow of the Arakawa River.
Superior Fourth Room with Natural Hot springs Open Air Bath
Relax at
Want to soak in a natural Hot springs as much as you want, whenever you want, without being disturbed by anyone? A room with an open-air bath is perfect for such a person. The "Superior Fourth with Natural Hot springs Open-Air Bath" offers a higher-class accommodation experience, where you can enjoy Hot springs mellow and thick natural hot spring with a pH of 9.6. After the bath, you can relax in the chic and calming room, and your daily fatigue will fade away. Of course, you can also use the spacious open-air bath with a view. Why not try a trip like that once in a while, without packing your schedule too much and relaxing and enjoying the view from the window?
Nearby Spots
Nearby spots
Spring moss pink, winter Chichibu Night Festival,
An exciting trip to Chichibu
Hitsujiyama Park is located at the foot of Mt. Buko in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture. Over 400,000 moss phlox plants are planted across the vast grounds every year, and the Moss Phlox Festival, held from early April to early May, fills many visitors with emotion. There is also a petting farm and a museum that displays the works of Munakata Shiko, so there are many ways to enjoy the park.
The Chichibu Night Festival held every December is also something you should see at least once. It is said to have begun over 300 years ago and is considered one of Japan's three major float festivals, alongside the Kyoto Gion Festival and the Hida Takayama Festival. At the Chichibu Festival Hall, you can see the real Kasaboko and floats up close, so be sure to check it out.
Saitama Prefectural River Museum
The symbol of the park is the largest waterwheel in Japan, made from wood from Saitama Prefecture. You can learn about the relationship between the Arakawa River and people's lives through exhibits and a virtual theater, and enjoy water athletics. It is about a 15-minute drive from the hotel.
Kanaoyama Azalea Park
A park where about 5,000 azaleas bloom in full bloom from mid-April to early May every year. You can easily climb to the top of Mt. Kanao from the parking lot, and from the observation deck you can get a panoramic view of the Chichibu Mountains and the Kanto Plain. It is about a 5-minute drive from the hotel.
SL Paleo Express
You can enjoy the scenery of the Arakawa River and the Chichibu Mountains on this steam locomotive. The section it runs on is from Kumagaya Station on the Chichibu Railway to Mitakeguchi Station. When you reach the Arakawa Bridge, be sure to take in the view of the Arakawa River below from the window. It is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel to Yorii Station.