Top Saitama Prefecture Food & Drink

Nestled among mountains and rivers, Chichibu is a natural wonderland just a 90-minute train ride from central Tokyo.Our expert guides, who are passionate about and love the Chichibu area, will take you on a journey where you will discover the town's beloved attractions, hidden alleys, and recommended eateries and stores. Chichibu's seasonal charms vary so much that you will want to return in every different season. As a former center for silk production, Chichibu boasts an abundance of historical buildings that served as homes and workplaces for wealthy silk merchants. The region is also renowned for producing some of Japan's most delicious sake, thanks to the pristine mountain water. On this tour, we'll visit a 250-year-old sake brewery, where you can taste the "stock water" as well as several varieties of sake. Afterward, you can indulge in a relaxing hot spring experience at Matsurinoyu, located next to the station, or venture out to nearby Nagatoro for an unforgettable excursion.

Miso is known as a superfood. It is the secret of Japanese food “wasyoku”. At this class you make miso and take the healthy and anti-aging food using miso. *It takes 3-6 months until you eat miso making yourself. We present miso and a recipe using miso. So you can make miso-food in your country! The instructor for this special experience, Ms. Sakuma, is a very famous fermented food teacher in Japan and is an anti-aging food specialist who has published many books and held classes.

At the Chichibu Festival Museum, you can experience the immersive "Chichibu Night Festival" by watching projection mapping and videos, as well as a virtual experience of Chichibu's seasonal festivals in 3D theater. This is the only place to experience the immersive Chichibu Night Festival held on December 2nd and 3rd every year. Chichibu shrine (one of the famous sacred sites in Saitama prefecture, where a female God Myokensama lives) has a history of over 2100 years. There you can see magnificent carved sculptures as well as experience traditional Japanese culture by pulling a unique fortune slip. Let's walk around downtown and enjoy local gourmet food you may have never tried. You can visit Suwa Shrine which is the real wife of the Dragon God living in Mt.Buko. Lastly we visit the special meeting place "Otabisho" where the female God, Myokensama and the Dragon God from Mt. Buko meets once a year.

Our sake brewery tour stands out with its focus on the traditional wooden barrel brewing technique, a rarity in modern sake production. You'll experience an exclusive 40-minute tasting session featuring unique sake varieties not commonly found in the market, each meticulously brewed in these historic barrels. The tour is deepened by a cultural immersion, with tastings held in a traditional Japanese setting using local Hanno pottery. A distinctive aspect is the pairing of sake with nuts seasoned in locally-made soy sauce from wooden barrels, offering a flavor experience unlike any other. Additionally, the opportunity to interact with the Toji, or Master Brewer, adds an educational dimension to the tour, providing insights into the art and science of sake brewing. To commemorate your visit, you'll receive a bespoke souvenir crafted from Nishikawa wood, capturing the essence of this unique and enriching journey through Japan's sake brewing heritage.

Ogawamachi is one of the most active organic farming communities in Japan. The town is surrounded by small mountains, and the farm has a good view of the mountains. This experience is designed for fun learning about farming and vegetables, and refreshing yourself by getting in touch with the soil. It is not intended for those aiming to become professional farmers. After working in the fields, we will go hiking in our private forests and mountains we manage. Depending on the season, we may also enjoy activities like bonfires and forest bathing. Breathe in the fresh air of the woods and mountains, relax, and feel refreshed.