Chichibu & Mitsumine Shrine — Okuchichibu MountainPilgrimage.
Distance
70 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,100 m
Chichibu & Mitsumine Shrine — Okuchichibu Mountain Pilgrimage.
A mountain pilgrimage day in the wooded ranges of western Saitama, within reach of Tokyo. From the river-gorge town of Nagatoro the route runs up the Chichibu basin, past the 2,000-year-old Chichibu Shrine, then climbs the winding forest road deep into the Okuchichibu mountains to Mitsumine Shrine — a remote, mist-wrapped sanctuary guarded by wolf statues at 1,100m. A genuine ridge-and-valley road with a sacred payoff at the top.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance70 km
Days1
Total climb1,100 m
DifficultyModerate
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The route.
NagatoroStart · Gorge town on the Arakawa River, famed for the flat Iwadatami rock shelves and traditional river-boat rides. Fuel up before heading up-valley.
Chichibu ShrineScenic Point · A shrine said to be 2,000 years old at the centre of the Chichibu basin, decorated with vivid Edo-period carvings by master Hidari Jingoro.
MitsumineguchiRestaurant · The last hamlet before the mountain road steepens. Grab a meal and check fuel — services end here.
Mitsumine ShrineEnd · A remote shrine at 1,100m guarded by wolf (okami) statues instead of the usual lion-dogs. Famous for the sea of clouds that fills the valleys at dawn.
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