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The day in short
Sacred mountains,
and a very long drop.
Chichibu is the one day that can go either way: cedar-forest shrines and a river gorge, or rafting and a bungee jump off a bridge. Most people take some of both.
- Private transportation with a professional English-speaking guide
- Door-to-door pickup and drop-off within Tokyo’s 23 wards
- Mitsumine Shrine, deep in the cedar forest
- The Hodosan Ropeway and the Nagatoro river gorge
- Optional rafting, Canyon Swing, Canyon Fly and Canyon Bungee
- Fuel, highway tolls and parking already included
Where the day takes you
The itinerary.
Yours to adjust.
Your guide coordinates the route, timing and photo stops around your interests, the weather and seasonal conditions. Nothing here is fixed.
- 01
Hodosan Ropeway
A panoramic ride up Mount Hodo, with the Chichibu valley and the ridges beyond opening out below you.
- 02
Hodosan Shrine
Colourful shrine buildings at the foot of the mountain, quieter than the famous ones and all the better for it.
- 03
Mitsumine Shrine
One of Japan’s great mountain shrines, reached through ancient cedar forest at 1,100 metres. Wolves guard the gate instead of the usual lion-dogs.
- 04
Nagatoro River and Gorge
Layered rock terraces along the Arakawa, seen the traditional way, from a flat-bottomed riverboat poled through the gorge.
- 05
Rafting on the Arakawa
An operator-guided rafting run through the white water, in season and weather permitting.
- 06
Chichibu Geo Gravity Park
Canyon Walk, Canyon Fly, Canyon Swing and Canyon Bungee: a bridge over the river and a decision to make.
- 07
Lunch stop
Local Chichibu specialities somewhere your guide rates, chosen around what you feel like.
No surprises
What the price
does and does not cover.
The professional guide and the listed transportation costs are included. Attraction tickets, meals and optional activities are paid on the day.
Included
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Private transportation arranged through licensed commercial partners
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Tokyo’s 23 wards
- Fuel, highway tolls and parking fees
- Custom itinerary planning and day-of coordination
- On-board Wi-Fi and bottled water, subject to vehicle availability
Not included
- Hodosan Ropeway tickets
- Rafting participation fees
- Chichibu Geo Gravity Park activity fees
- Nagatoro riverboat tickets
- Equipment and clothing rental charges
- Meals and additional drinks
- Pickups outside Tokyo’s 23 wards, when applicable
- Airport and cruise terminal transfers, which are booked separately
Private group pricing
One price
for your whole group.
Not per person. The price below covers the private vehicle, the professional guide, fuel, highway tolls and parking for everyone travelling with you.
The price covers the guide and the private vehicle for the day. Every activity, from the ropeway and the riverboat to rafting and anything at the Gravity Park, is paid directly to the operator, so you only pay for what you actually decide to do. Additional time beyond the confirmed duration is charged at ¥5,000 per hour.
Good to know
Before you book.
Everything that affects your day, in plain language. If anything here is unclear, message us before booking and we will answer properly.
How long is the day, and what time is pickup?+
The tour runs approximately 11 hours door-to-door. Pickup is normally between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM from hotels, apartments or stations within Tokyo’s 23 wards. Your exact pickup time is confirmed after booking, and the start time can be adjusted on request.
Do I have to do the adventure activities?+
Not at all, and plenty of guests do none of them. Chichibu works perfectly well as a quiet day: the ropeway, two shrines, the gorge by riverboat and a good lunch. The adventure element is there if you want it, not a condition of booking. Tell us which way you are leaning and the day is built to suit.
Who runs the rafting and the canyon activities?+
Specialist operators, not us. We arrange the day around them, get you there and wait for you, but the activity itself is run and insured by the provider. Their fees are paid directly to them, which is why they sit outside our price.
Are there age or health restrictions on the activities?+
Yes, and they matter. Rafting, Canyon Walk, Canyon Fly, Canyon Swing and Canyon Bungee each carry their own requirements for age, height, weight, health and sometimes photo identification, set by the operator. Tell us in advance who wants to do what, with ages, and we will check before the day rather than have someone turned away at the bridge.
What should I bring if we are doing water or canyon activities?+
A full change of clothes, a small towel and secure footwear that will not come off. Equipment itself is generally provided by the operator. Bring photo identification too, since some activities ask for it. And cash or an IC card, since fees are paid on site.
Are children welcome, and are child seats available?+
Yes. Chichibu suits families well, though the adventure activities have minimum ages that vary by activity. Child seats are available on request. Please tell us in advance with each child’s age.
What if the weather turns?+
Tours operate rain or shine, but river activities in particular depend on conditions and the operator’s judgement on the day. The shrines, the ropeway and the gorge carry the day regardless, and your guide will rearrange the order to make the most of the weather you get.
Where can you pick me up, and are there rules in the vehicle?+
One pickup and one drop-off within Tokyo’s 23 wards are included: hotels, apartments or stations. Pickup from other locations can usually be arranged for an additional fee, subject to availability. Airport and cruise terminal transfers are a separate service, bookable from our Transfers page. For everyone’s comfort and safety, smoking, fireworks and hazardous items are not permitted inside the vehicle.
What is the cancellation policy?+
Cancellations 72 hours or more before the start time receive a 95% refund. Cancellations 24–72 hours before receive an 80% refund. Cancellations under 24 hours are non-refundable. These percentages are final and already account for transaction and refund-processing costs. Booking changes are subject to availability.