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Savoring Spring in Chichibu! A Healing Journey Through Moss Phlox, Exquisite Gourmet Food, and a Hidden Hot Spring Inn
Encountering a Carpet of Flowers and the Ultimate Locally-Sourced Gastronomy

Savoring Spring in Chichibu! A Healing Journey Through Moss Phlox, Exquisite Gourmet Food, and a Hidden Hot Spring Inn

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The Journey Begins with a Giant Waraji Katsudon at 'Yasudaya' in Ogano Town!

Kicking off the Chichibu touring trip is 'Yasudaya', a long-established restaurant quietly nestled in the back alleys of Ogano Town. It is an absolute must-visit masterpiece of a restaurant, well worth the short motorcycle ride from Seibu Chichibu Station. Passing through the nostalgic noren curtains, the sweet and savory aroma of scorched soy sauce wafts through the air, instantly grabbing your appetite. The specialty here is the 'Waraji Katsudon', featuring a unique shape resembling traditional straw sandals (waraji). The moment it was brought before me, it took my breath away. The sight of two giant cutlets sitting so prominently that they lift the lid of the bowl is truly a masterpiece!

The thinly and carefully pounded pork loin is heavy when lifted with chopsticks, yet surprisingly tender when bitten into. Right after the crispy texture of the fine breadcrumbs, the secret sauce—an exquisite blend of soy sauce, sugar, and mirin—bursts out. It's a strong, no-nonsense style, without even a bed of cabbage between the cutlet and the rice. The juicy umami of the pork and the savory aroma of the sauce soak into the white rice, making it impossible to stop eating.

Despite such a massive volume, it isn't greasy at all. It has a mysterious charm that makes you devour it enthusiastically down to the very last grain of rice. It was the perfect lunchtime to intensely experience the depth of Chichibu's gastronomy with my tongue and stomach first.

Heading to 'Shibazakura Hill' in Hitsujiyama Park to Feel the Arrival of Spring

After filling my stomach to the brim, I headed to the highlight of spring sightseeing in Chichibu: 'Shibazakura Hill at Hitsujiyama Park'. This time, I visited on April 9th, perfectly timed just before the official paid period started. Being the pre-opening period, there was an irresistible surprise for travelers: admission was only a 100-yen cooperation fee, and the usually paid motorcycle parking was free!

Walking along the promenade from the parking lot, fully bloomed Yoshino cherry trees scattered their petals, and vibrant Japanese kerria swayed in the spring breeze. Then, the moment the view of the main area opened up, a vast carpet of flowers stretching as far as the eye could see jumped into my sight! Although it was just a step away from full bloom, the sunny slopes were already dazzlingly colored, with vivid gradients of pink, magenta, and white dyeing the hills in undulating waves.

By the way, starting in fiscal year 2026, the fee structure for Shibazakura Hill has been revised due to soaring replanting costs and the promotion of barrier-free access. These are important funds to connect this overwhelming spectacular view and rich environment to the future. When visiting, be sure to check the latest information and fully enjoy this beautiful spring scenery.
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Finding Healing in Colorful Flowers and Adorable Sheep

The charm of Shibazakura Hill is not limited to the panorama from the observation deck. Taking a leisurely walk along the promenade and admiring the small flowers blooming at your feet up close is also a moment of bliss. Pale, ephemeral light purple, eye-opening vivid pink, and translucent pure white. The sight of colorful moss phlox blooming closely together makes it seem as if the earth is wearing a spring dress. Each petal is as lovely as a star, and just gazing at them gently makes you feel the hustle and bustle of daily life fading away.

Walking further, true to the name 'Hitsujiyama' (Sheep Mountain), a pasture area appeared where real sheep live leisurely. The sight of sheep wrapped in fluffy wool intently grazing on spring grass in the warm weather is quite humorous. The peaceful bleating heard from time to time naturally brings a smile to your face.

A spectacular floral view radiating overwhelming colors, and pastoral, adorable animals. The space woven by both is truly a spring paradise. The world seen through the camera's viewfinder was so beautiful that, before I knew it, the sound of the shutter clicking echoed continuously.

Enjoying Local Gourmet Food and Spring Flowers at Chichibu Marche

Proceeding further into the park, I arrived at the special 'Chichibu Marche' area where colorful banners fluttered. Under the blue sky, food stalls selling Chichibu's local gourmet foods and specialty products lined up, overflowing with a festival-like vitality. The steam rising from freshly boiled Chichibu soba, the savory smell of miso potatoes grilled over charcoal. Even though my stomach should have been full, my sight and smell were intensely stimulated, making me almost loosen my purse strings.

Looking around the marche, spring flowers other than moss phlox were also blooming as if competing with each other. Tulips shining like rubies bathing in plenty of spring sunlight, and lupines stretching straight up toward the sky while drawing gradients of purple and pink. The entire park is truly a picture scroll of a profusion of flowers.

Overwhelmed by the scale of the floral carpet, lured by the scent of local food culture, and touched by the breath of colorful plants. There was a superb entertainment space where you could fully engage all five senses and embrace the spring of Chichibu with your whole body.

A Moment of Bliss at the Hidden Hot Spring Inn 'Tomoe-gawa So' by the Arakawa River

After enjoying the spring of Chichibu to my heart's content, I headed to today's accommodation, 'Tomoe-gawa So'. Escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, this inn quietly nestled along the clear stream of the Arakawa River is a well-kept secret hideaway with only 5 rooms, offering the ultimate sense of privacy. The pure Japanese-style guest room I was guided to was a nostalgic space where the gentle scent of rush grass drifted, feeling as if I had visited my grandparents' house in the countryside. Throwing open the windows, what jumped into my eyes was the breathtakingly lush fresh greenery. The murmuring of the river and the chirping of wild birds filled the room as a pleasant BGM.

After putting down my luggage, I immediately headed to the bath to soothe the fatigue of touring. The greatest charm of Tomoe-gawa So is the 'Ancient Cypress Bath' that you can luxuriously monopolize for private use. The moment I opened the bathroom door, the sweet and mellow aroma unique to cypress enveloped my whole body, making me take a deep breath involuntarily.

A blissful time stretching my arms and legs fully in the spacious bathtub and soaking up to my shoulders in the thick, hot water. I could feel the warmth gradually seeping in and the stiffness in my muscles melting away. Swaying in the hot spring nestled in the quiet mountains, I couldn't stop my heart from pounding with anticipation for the dinner that awaited me.

[Dinner - First Half] The Ultimate Gastronomy Woven by Birch Sap and Mountain Delicacies

Heading to the dining room with a body warmed from the bath, a world of gastronomy far beyond my imagination awaited. What surprised me first upon taking my seat was the glass served as an aperitif. Amazingly, it was 'birch sap', which can only be harvested during this snowmelt season in the deep forests of Chichibu. Taking a sip, a natural sweetness like the filtered life force of the earth and the cool air of the forest spread throughout my mouth, instantly drawing me into the extraordinary.

Decorating the table were rare mountain blessings that the owner himself had ventured into the rugged mountains to procure. Appetizers delicately arranged like works of art, and fatty sashimi with sharp edges that you wouldn't expect at a mountain inn. And the salt-grilled sweetfish, raised eating moss in clear streams, made a crisp sound when bitten into, with an elegant aroma rising from its plump flesh.

It was the 'ultimate local consumption of local products', reflecting Chichibu's natural capital directly onto the plate, on a completely different level from the standardized kaiseki cuisine of large ryokans. The terroir of this land and the owner's passion resided in every single dish, and I was so moved that a deep sigh escaped me every time I moved my chopsticks.

[Dinner - Second Half] Exquisite Wild Boar Hot Pot, Phantom Kotake Mushrooms, and Eel Takikomi Gohan to Finish!

The series of moving experiences accelerated even further as we entered the second half. Making its grand entrance alongside a portable stove was the 'Wild Boar Hot Pot (Shishi Nabe)', featuring a breathtakingly beautiful contrast between lean meat and shining white fat. The meat of wild boars raised running through the rugged mountains of Chichibu is simmered in a special rich miso soup. Stuffing my cheeks with the piping hot meat, the intense sweetness of the fat and the wild umami exploded, with not a hint of the odor typical of game meat.

Furthermore, 'Kotake', known as phantom mushrooms, were generously added to the pot. The mellow and powerful aroma rising with the steam seemed to vividly display the depth of the mountains. After resetting my palate with an elegant clear soup, the 'Eel Takikomi Gohan' (seasoned rice cooked with eel) was brought out to crown the spectacular finale! The fat of the eel, fragrantly grilled over charcoal, coated every single grain of rice that had absorbed the broth, resulting in an irresistible deliciousness.

Everything was so exquisite that I couldn't stop my chopsticks, yet the volume was so overwhelming that even as an adult male, I let out a happy scream of 'My stomach is going to burst!' It was a dinner time etched into my lifelong memory, where I fully savored gastronomy until breaking past my limits.

[Breakfast] Welcoming a Refreshing Chichibu Morning with Yudofu and Pickled Cherry Blossoms

Falling asleep in a fluffy futon with the murmuring of the river as a lullaby, I woke up the next morning to the refreshing chirping of birds. In the dining room, a beautiful breakfast that made my heart dance from the morning was set up. Warm yudofu (tofu hot pot) gently and soothingly permeated my body on this still slightly chilly morning. The authentic setup simmering in an earthenware pot calmed my heart, and dipping it in ponzu sauce before eating brought out the sweetness of the soybeans, making it impossible to stop eating white rice with just this.

On the main plate, there was an array of side dishes to awaken the day's vitality, such as a splendid half-moon-shaped omelet glowing plumply in golden yellow, and classic grilled salmon with crispy skin. Furthermore, an elegant 'pickled cherry blossom' was served in a small bowl, and I was deeply touched by the landlady's meticulous consideration, announcing the arrival of spring not only through taste but also visually.

After the meal, to my surprise, a cute parfait-style dessert topped with fresh strawberries and oranges appeared, along with freshly brewed aromatic coffee! From check-in to check-out, it was flawless and exhaustive hospitality. Tomoe-gawa So was a wonderful inn that I could truly love, making me vow to return even before leaving, wondering, 'Which season should I visit next?'
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A 2-Day, 1-Night Trip Moved by the Richness of Chichibu's Nature and Food

The vivid gradient of moss phlox dyeing Hitsujiyama Park, the overwhelming sizzle of Yasudaya's Waraji Katsudon, and the ultimate game meat cuisine full of surprises at Tomoe-gawa So. This trip was a continuous realization of the high potential of Chichibu's nature and food. Despite being at a distance where you can casually stretch your legs by motorcycle from the city center, it is another world that makes you completely forget your daily life. It has become another special and important place for me, one that I want to visit again and again in different seasons.

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