Beauty Just North of Tokyo
You don’t have to go very far from the big city to take a deep dive into unique aspects of Japanese history, culture, and natural beauty. Saitama and Tochigi prefectures are just north of Tokyo, and offer travelers the chance to explore gorgeous locales, stroll retro city streets, and get in touch with enduring Japanese traditions.
JR TOKYO Wide Pass
To make this itinerary a reality, we recommend that visitors utilize the JR TOKYO Wide Pass. This 3-day discount pass allows for unlimited rides on shinkansen, limited express, and other trains in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto areas. The pass makes traveling in and around Saitama and Tochigi both convenient and affordable.
Tokyo Station
Tohoku Shinkansen【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Tokyo Station – Oyama Station
JR Ryomo Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Oyama Station – Ashikaga Flower Park Station
Ashikaga Flower Park
With a full range of colors on display, Ashikaga Flower Park is stunning no matter the time of year. Marvel at the orange tulips, blue hydrangeas and the purple wisterias of one of Tochigi Prefecture’…
MOREJR Ryomo Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Ashikaga Flower Park Station – Tochigi Station
Nikko-Kinugawa Tobu Limited Express【Additional fare required】
Tochigi Station – Tobu-Nikko Station
Bus【Additional fare required】
Tobu-Nikko Station – Chuzenji Onsen
Walk
Chuzenji Onsen - Lake Chuzenji
Lake Chuzenji
Everywhere you look around Nikko’s Lake Chuzenji promises to offer unrivaled views of nature at its finest. From verdant forests to volcanic mountains, there’s plenty to see, and just as much to do, i…
MORELake Chuzenji
Bus【Additional fare required】
Chuzenji Onsen – JR Nikko Station
JR Nikko Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Nikko Station – Utsunomiya Station
JR Tohoku Shinkansen【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Utsunomiya Station – Omiya Station
JR Kawagoe Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Omiya Station – Kawagoe Station
Kawagoe
Known for unique clay warehouses, the former castle town of Kawagoe has so much in store for visitors to Saitama. Learn about the historical area and chomp on traditional treats while wearing a kimono…
MORETobu-Tojo Line Local【Additional fare required】
Kawagoe Station – Asakadai Station
Walk
Asakadai Station – Kita-Asaka Station
JR Musashino Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Kita-Asaka Station – Higashi-Tokorozawa Station
Walk
Higashi-Tokorozawa Station – Tokorozawa Sakura Town
Tokorozawa Sakura Town
Inside of one imaginative Saitama building that resembles a scrambled castle lies a wonderful tribute to Japanese comics and young adult books. Come inside the Kadokawa Culture Museum, famed architect…
MOREWalk
Tokorozawa Sakura Town – Highashi-Tokorozawa Station
JR Musashino Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Higashi-Tokorozawa Station – Nishi-Kokubunji Station
JR Chuo Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Nishi-Kokubunji Station – Tokyo Station
