Nagatoro

Nagatoro is a picturesque river town in Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture, centered around a dramatic gorge carved by the Arakawa River. The most popular activity is the traditional wooden boat ride through the rapids, where boatmen navigate the swift currents using long wooden poles while passengers enjoy views of towering rock formations. The Iwadatami rock terraces, layers of crystalline schist sculpted by millennia of erosion, are a designated Natural Monument and the area's geological highlight. In autumn, the gorge transforms into a corridor of brilliant red and gold foliage, best viewed from the river or the Hodosan Ropeway. The nearby Hodosan Shrine offers panoramic views of the valley. Nagatoro is easily accessible from Tokyo in about two hours via the Chichibu Railway.