Nagatoro is a small town in Chichibu, about two hours northwest of Tokyo by train. It’s known for the Arakawa River (荒川), with its white-water rapids and beautiful spring/autumn foliage on the trees which line its banks.
Over a weekend in late November, we paid a visit in order to try and capture some of the autumnal colours.
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Getting off at Seibu Chichibu Station (西武秩父駅) we hired bicycles at the tourist information office directly outside the station exit (¥500/4 hours or ¥1000/8hours).
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Wanting to avoid the main road, we cycled down to the river and then followed along the south bank, heading north.
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Passing a cement factory, we came across a pair of trees standing alone in a desolate car park. I loved the contrast of the bright yellow leaves against the grey industrial backdrop.
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After about two hours of pedalling, we reached Nagatoro Station and stopped for lunch at a soba restaurant (生そば むらた). The grilled yams and vegetable tempura were delicious.
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Having returned the bicycles at the station, we walked downhill to the river. Nagatorotamayodo Prefectural Natural Park (県立長瀞玉淀自然公園) covers the 6 km long valley and is designated a place of scenic beauty.
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The stretch of the valley is named Iwadatami because the rocks look like successive layers of tatami mats overlapping each other.
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The riverside was busy with tourists taking photos against the red cliffs, whose name is derived from a decisive battle fought at the end of the Han dynasty in China.
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Boat tours can be taken along the river, with two people required to navigate the wooden vessels safely through the rapids.
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Walking south along the rocky shore, the dappled orange and red autumn colours shimmered in the fading light of golden hour.
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We finished our walk at Moon Stone Maple Park (月の石もみじ公園) where the trees are lit up every evening during November. From here its a short walk to Kami-Nagatoro Station (上長瀞駅) and then back to Tokyo.
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