Chichibu Snap Shots

🌿 Discover Chichibu – Monthly English Cultural Tour 🌿

Only 90 minutes from central Tokyo lies Chichibu, a town filled with shrines, temples, crafts, mountains, and warm-hearted people. To help international residents and visitors truly experience this hidden gem, we organize a Chichibu One-Day English Tour every month. Each program is guided in English and designed to introduce both traditional culture and everyday life in a relaxed, friendly way.

What You Can Experience

The tour usually begins with a hands-on cultural workshop. One of our most popular activities is the Indigo Dyeing Workshop at the Chichibu Meisenkan. Here you will learn about the rich history of Chichibu Meisen silk, once exported across the world, and try dyeing your own fabric with the deep blue color of natural indigo. It is both creative and meditative, and you get to take home a unique souvenir.

Another highlight is our time at Kuu & Kan, a registered cultural heritage building that once served as a traditional resting place. In this serene wooden house, participants can practice Shakyo (sutra copying) or Shabutsu (Buddhist image tracing). These simple yet profound exercises calm the mind, offering a taste of Zen-like mindfulness. Afterward, we enjoy a carefully prepared Japanese-style lunch, sometimes with vegetarian or vegan options available upon request.

In the afternoon, we walk to the heart of Chichibu: Chichibu Shrine. This ancient Shinto shrine is famous for its brilliant wood carvings, including the local version of the “Three Monkeys,” symbolizing wisdom that goes beyond the five senses. Nearby, the Chichibu Festival Museum introduces one of Japan’s most spectacular winter festivals, with life-sized floats, music, and videos that bring the celebration alive even out of season.

We also provide free time so participants can explore at their own pace—perhaps strolling the streets, enjoying local sweets, visiting small shops, or relaxing in a café. This balance of guided activities and personal discovery makes the day enjoyable for everyone.

The tour concludes back at Kuu & Kan, where we gather again to share tea, snacks, and conversation. It is a chance to reflect on the day, ask questions, and connect with fellow participants. As a final gift, everyone receives a handmade onigiri (rice ball) to take home, a small but heartfelt reminder of the hospitality of Chichibu.

A Different Program Every Month

While the structure remains similar, each monthly tour includes unique highlights. In some seasons, we visit Imamiya Shrine, famous for its Dragon God and sacred spring water. At other times, we may arrange a visit to Mitsumine Shrine, a mountain power spot known for its mystical atmosphere and wolf guardians. Occasionally, the program also includes strolls through the historic Chichibu 34 Kannon pilgrimage temples, or seasonal festivals that make each visit special.

No two tours are exactly alike. Even if you join several times, you will always discover new traditions, new flavors, and new connections. Our goal is to create not only a sightseeing trip but a deep cultural encounter, something that leaves a lasting impression on both heart and mind.

Practical Information

  • Meeting Point: Seibu Chichibu Station (easy access from Ikebukuro by the Seibu Line’s limited express “Laview”)

  • Time: Usually 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  • Fee: Around ¥9,800 – ¥15,000 depending on the month’s program (includes all activities, entrance fees, lunch, tea, and souvenir)

  • Language: Guided in English (suitable for international residents, tourists, and English-speaking Japanese participants)

  • Group Size: Limited to around 10 people for a friendly and personal experience

How to Join

If you are interested in joining the next tour, simply send us an email. Please include your name, number of participants, and any dietary preferences (for example, vegetarian or vegan).

📧 To register or inquire: cosmolife.kiya@gmail.com

We will reply with the details of the upcoming tour and confirm your participation.

Why Join Us?

Chichibu is not just a destination; it is an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with the essence of Japanese tradition. By joining our monthly English tour, you will:

  • Experience hands-on cultural workshops you cannot find in ordinary sightseeing

  • Visit sacred shrines and historical spots with context explained in clear English

  • Share meals, tea, and conversation in an intimate cultural setting

  • Meet like-minded people from different countries who enjoy exploring Japan more deeply

Every month, we welcome participants who say: “I never imagined such a place existed so close to Tokyo!” Many return for a second or third tour, discovering something new each time.

We look forward to welcoming you to Chichibu and sharing a day of tradition, beauty, and warmth together.