Chichibu Geopark

This is an observatory with a panoramic view in all directions. It is a superb spot commanding a sweeping view of the Chichibu Basin and the mountains surrounding the basin. The area near the summit of Minoyama is turned into park. Minoyama is the only tandokuho (single mountain ridge) of Chichibu, and it is a mountain of henseigan (metamorphic rock) that separates the east side of Chichibu Basin.

It is a famous sightseeing spot for cherry blossoms, and many kinds of flowers can be enjoyed each season. The night view is also gorgeous, and the spot has been selected as one of the 100 Best Night View Spots in Japan. In recent years, it has grown popular as a viewing spot of sea of clouds, and during the season of sea of clouds many photographers visit from early morning.

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.

This observatory is located on Mount Maruyama, which has a 960m elevation and is located in Ashigakubo, Yokoze. The observatory overlooks the Chichibu Basin and Chichibu Sanchi (mountains), and in good weather you can also see the Yatsugatake and Mount Fuji.

The area around the observatory is maintained as the Kenmin-no-Mori (forest of prefectural residents) where you can enjoy experiencing and learning about nature, and it is a popular spot with a lot of hikers.

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.

Mount Hodo is a mountain with an elevation of 497m located on the north side of Chichibu Basin and overlooks the Chichibu Basin and Chichibu mountain range. At the summit there is a rear shrine located at the back of Hodosan Shrine. Visitors are able to access the summit on a ropeway.

The observatory is also one of Kanto’s largest planting areas of Japanese allspice which flowers in February. Different flowers can be enjoyed each season, and there is also a small animal park that is popular with children.

Mount Happu is a mountain with an elevation of 626.5m on the border of Minano, Chichibu District and Chichibu City. There are open vistas in each location and many hiking trails. It has gained popularity as a mountain where even beginners can enjoy climbing. It has also been selected for the 8 Best Views in Chichibu.

This is an observatory on the Shiki-no-Michi (four seasons road) walking path located on the border of Ogano Town and Chichibu City. Visitors can enjoy a sweeping view of Mount Ryokami and mountains in west Chichibu.

You can also look out over the landscape of Ogano, which has developed as a strategic point on the roadway leading to Nagano from old times, and also observe a wave-like landform called Cuesta.

This is a mountain pass from Ogano Town in Chichibu District to Kanna Town in Tano District, Gunma Prefecture. This was a roadway from long ago that connected Saitama to Gunma and Nagano.

Visitors can observe the ou-chitai (concave area) with a stretch of stratum from approximately 130 million to 100 million years ago (Cretaceous Period of the Mesozoic Era) in the age of the dinosaurs.