Arakawa/Otaki Area

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List of " Arakawa/Otaki Area"

Geosite 9
Wakamiko Dansodo

This is one of the Hino faults, which have formed on the border between the Chichibu Mountains and Chichibu Basin. The cave was created as a result of water washing away the portion of the rock that had crumbled due to a shift in the fault. It is called a “fault cave.”
There is a place called Kagamihada (slickenside) that had been polished when the faults shifted and rubbed against each other, and you can also see linear scratches. It is rare to find a place where you can directly observe a fault plane.
Geosite 10
Anyagawa River Manganese Mine

In the past, manganese contained in chert of the Chichibu belt had been mined in the Chichibu Mountains.
The largest manganese mine was located in Minano Town, but the mine here can be visited relatively safely.
Geosite 11
Tamagomizu and Large Katsura Tree of Myogasasu

Tamagomizu (literally means “egg water” in Japanese) is a spring water that smells of sulfur, and it is one of the multiple sulfur fountains located along the faults around Chichibu Basin. People in the past are said to have drank the water for curing or mixed it in their bath.
The large katsura tree of Myogasasu located on the mountain stream of Anyagawa River is one of the largest katsura trees in Saitama Prefecture with a circumference of 11m and height of 30m, and the tree is said to be around 450 years old.
Geosite 12
Limestone Rock Cliff and Hand-Drilled Tunnel of Odahara

This spot, which is located at the entrance of Otaki District of Chichibu City, forms a rugged terrain consisting of limestone body scattered on the hard stratum of Chichibu belt, and it blocks the passage of people. Here, there is also a hand-drilled tunnel, in which people drilled the limestone body at the end of the 19th century.
The large tunnel is roughly 40m in length and 4.8m in height, and it played an important role as a pilgrimage route to Mitsumine Jinja until a national highway (the current Japan National Route 140) was made in 1921.
Geosite 13
Kaniwa Cave (including Kaniwa Limestone Cave)

This is a cave in a rock wall made of limestone, and the cave was formed through erosion caused by water flowing from Arakawa River about 50,000 years ago.
People migrated and lived here since the Jomon period (around 8,000 B.C. to 300 B.C.), and the location is said to have been used as a habitat as well as a hunting camp. Many earthenware and bones of animals have been excavated here.
Geosite 14
Chichibu Tonalite and Mine Ruins

Chichibu Tonalite is a type of igneous rock that was crystallized and formed deep underground. Magma that had risen from deep underground came into contact with limestone bodies on the Chichibu belt, and this resulted in the Chichibu mine deposit (skarn deposit).
The history of mining operations dates back to the middle ages. One of the people who dreamt of making a fortune at a stroke in this location was Gennai Hiraga, an inventor of the Edo period. Since the 20th century, mining operations were modernized, and reached its heyday in the 1960s. The location became a prosperous mining town where approximately two thousand and several hundred people lived.
Geosite 24
Nenogami Falls

This is a beautiful waterfall that is approximately 13m both in height and width. The rock cliff where the waterfall is located is an exposure of a sandy mudstone that had been deposited on the sea bed of Paleo Chichibu Bay, which existed 15 million years ago.
Culture/History Site
Mitsumine Shrine

This is one of the Chichibu Sanja (three shrines of Chichibu) located at an elevation higher than 1,000 meters in Okuchichibu. The shrine has become very popular in recent years, and it is considered one of the leading “power spots” (places believed to endow visitors with healing energy) in Kanto, where visitors can also learn about the legends of Takeru Yamato (a legendary hero in ancient Japanese history) and worship of Oinusama (a wolf). Visitors are amazed by the 800-year old sacred tree and majestic shrine.
Originally, Mitsumine collectively referred to Mount Kumotori, Mount Shiraiwa, and Mount Myohogatake that can be seen from the shrine. These mountains are made from chert, limestone, and other hard rocks of the Chichibu belt, and it served as the place of practice of Shugendo (an ancient religion incorporating Shinto and Buddhist concepts in which practitioners carry out ascetic practices in the mountains) due to the harsh terrain.
Culture/History Site
Tochimoto Sekisho

This is a Sekisho (checkpoint) established by Shingen Takeda, a famous military commander of 16th century Japan during the Sengoku (Civil Wars) period, for the purpose of monitoring traffic on the highway Chichibu Okan that connected modern-day Saitama, Yamanashi, and Nagano. This checkpoint has been designated as a national historic site.
An old highway runs through Shimanto belt, and around the Tochimoto Sekisho is the Tochimoto village where old buildings remain. The fields made on the steep slopes of the village elucidate the life of the people who have lived here since the past.
Ecology Site
Autumn Leaves of Nakatsukyo

This is a deep V-shaped valley carved into the Chichibu belt and a sightseeing spot of autumn leaves that is representative of Okuchichibu. The large maple tree in front of the Mochioke Tunnel is particularly famous.
Because it is a valley made of hard rocks, Nakatsukyo is highly resistant to erosion. Due to the steep landform, the area has not been afforested, and natural forests cover a large area. During the foliage season, visitors can view a spectacular contrast of mountains dyed in red and yellow and the rough landform of the valley.
Ecology Site
Oyamazawa Shioji Grove

This is a Shioji (Fraxinus platypoda) grove inside a forest that has untouched nature. Shioji are distributed along the mountainous stream of the Pacific Ocean, and Chichibu is known as a representative habitat. It is also considered academically valuable.
Viewing Spot
Urayama Dam

This dam is in the V-shaped valley of Chichibu belt located on the south edge of Chichibu Basin, and from the top of the dam body visitors can enjoy a sweeping view of the Chichibu Basin and the mountains on the north side of the basin.
It is the dam with the second largest difference of elevation in Japan among concrete gravity dams. Within the dam there is an elevator, and a gallery set up inside the dam body.
Viewing Spot
Mitsumineguchi Shirakawa Bridge

This is a bridge that spans the border of the Chichibu Mountains and the basin. On the upstream side is the V-shaped valley of Chichibu belt formed approximately 200 to 150 million years ago, and on the downstream side is the Chichibu Basin, where the strata deposited on the sea bed during the time of the Paleo Chichibu Bay around 15 million years ago were eventually eroded by the Arakawa River and formed a river terrace.
This has been a strategic point for industries since long ago, and in the past wood cut down from lumber in the mountains of Okuchichibu were made into a raft in this location and carried to Edo. Gennai Hiraga, a businessman of the Edo period, is known to have started a barge business carrying charcoal. In its heyday during the Showa period, mineral ores were transported from Chichibu Mine to this location on a cableway, and then carried out to various locations on the railroad.
Base Facility
Saitama Museum of Forestry Science

Saitama Museum of Forestry Science, located in Nakatsugawa, Chichibu City, is the base facility of Sai-no-Kuni Fureai-no-Mori—a vast forest owned by Saitama Prefecture. Exhibitions related to forests and wood, as well a…
Main Facility
Yamazato Nature Museum (Roadside Station Arakawa)

This facility is located inside the Roadside Station Arakawa. In addition to a permanent exhibition about the nature and wildlife of Chichibu, it also puts information on activities by NPOs, festivals and traditional ar…
Base Facility
Urayama Dam Museum Urarapia

This facility is located near the dam body. On the first floor is a restaurant where you can eat the famous Urayama Dam curry, and on the second floor is an exhibit where you can learn about the mechanisms and the role …
Base Facility
Otaki History and Folk Museum (Roadside Station Otaki-onsen)

In addition to an exhibit on the flora and fauna of the virgin forest in the mountain recesses of Chichibu, the facility has an extensive exhibit on nature and people’s life in the Otaki region including forestry during…
Base Facility
Mitsumine Visitor Center

This facility of Saitama Prefecture is right next to the parking lot, and visitors can learn about the vast wilderness and majestic mountains of Chichibu Tama Kai National Park. The facility exhibits wildlife mounts of …

Arakawa/Otaki Area

List of " Arakawa/Otaki Area"

Geosite 9Wakamiko Dansodo

Geosite 10Anyagawa River Manganese Mine

Geosite 11Tamagomizu and Large Katsura Tree of Myogasasu

Geosite 12Limestone Rock Cliff and Hand-Drilled Tunnel of Odahara

Geosite 13Kaniwa Cave (including Kaniwa Limestone Cave)

Geosite 14Chichibu Tonalite and Mine Ruins

Geosite 24Nenogami Falls

Culture/History SiteMitsumine Shrine

Culture/History SiteTochimoto Sekisho

Ecology SiteAutumn Leaves of Nakatsukyo

Ecology SiteOyamazawa Shioji Grove

Viewing SpotUrayama Dam

Viewing SpotMitsumineguchi Shirakawa Bridge

Base FacilitySaitama Museum of Forestry Science

Main FacilityYamazato Nature Museum (Roadside Station Arakawa)

Base FacilityUrayama Dam Museum Urarapia

Base FacilityOtaki History and Folk Museum (Roadside Station Otaki-onsen)

Base FacilityMitsumine Visitor Center

Geosite 9
Wakamiko Dansodo

Geosite 10
Anyagawa River Manganese Mine

Geosite 11
Tamagomizu and Large Katsura Tree of Myogasasu

Geosite 12
Limestone Rock Cliff and Hand-Drilled Tunnel of Odahara

Geosite 13
Kaniwa Cave (including Kaniwa Limestone Cave)

Geosite 14
Chichibu Tonalite and Mine Ruins

Geosite 24
Nenogami Falls

Culture/History Site
Mitsumine Shrine

Culture/History Site
Tochimoto Sekisho

Ecology Site
Autumn Leaves of Nakatsukyo

Ecology Site
Oyamazawa Shioji Grove

Viewing Spot
Urayama Dam

Viewing Spot
Mitsumineguchi Shirakawa Bridge

Base Facility
Saitama Museum of Forestry Science

Main Facility
Yamazato Nature Museum (Roadside Station Arakawa)

Base Facility
Urayama Dam Museum Urarapia

Base Facility
Otaki History and Folk Museum (Roadside Station Otaki-onsen)

Base Facility
Mitsumine Visitor Center