Chichibu

Chichibu's Night Festival (Chichibu Yomatsuri), held on December 2-3 each year, is one of Japan's three greatest float festivals, featuring massive illuminated floats weighing up to 20 tons paraded through the streets alongside spectacular fireworks. The Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage is one of Japan's oldest temple circuits and can be completed in about five days on foot or by car, with each temple offering unique stamps and peaceful mountain settings. Hitsujiyama Park draws visitors in spring for its carpet of shibazakura (moss phlox) flowers covering an entire hillside in pink, white, and purple. The area is also a gateway to Nagatoro, where visitors can enjoy river rafting through dramatic rock formations. Easily reached from Ikebukuro in about 80 minutes by Seibu Railway, Chichibu offers a surprisingly rural escape from Tokyo.