Chichibu, Silk & Onsen Country
Join Chichibu and Nagatoro to Tomioka, Ikaho, Kusatsu and Karuizawa on a five-day mountain loop.
- Allow
- 5 days
- Route
- 507 km
- Drive time
- 8 hr 42 min
- Stops
- 8
West of Tokyo, Chichibu’s shrine town and Arakawa gorge lead naturally toward Tomioka Silk Mill, where industrial heritage changes the register of the journey. Ikaho and Kusatsu then create two distinct onsen stops before Karuizawa turns the road south.
This is not a winter-default itinerary. Mountain weather, snow tyres, chains and closures govern every high leg, and the scenic Route 292 crossing is intentionally absent. Park at each onsen, keep alcohol and driving on separate days and use the main signed route your rental company supports.
The road, in one glance
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Drawing the route…
The route earns
its distance
Each pin is selected as a place to do something—not merely proof that you passed through.
- 01Hachioji Gateway
- 02Chichibu
- 03Mitsumine Shrine
- 04Nagatoro
- 05Tomioka Silk Mill
- 06Ikaho Onsen
- 07Kusatsu Onsen
- 08Karuizawa
Photo: mti · CC BY 3.0Hachioji Gateway
Western Tokyo provides a sensible collection and return point beyond the central expressways.
Hachiōji (八王子市, Hachiōji-shi) is a city located in the western portion of the Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of 31 March 2021, the city has an estimated population of 561,344, and a population density of 3,000 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 186.38 km2 (71.96 sq mi).
Photo: Abasaa · Public domainChichibu
A shrine town and pilgrimage center sits among forested folds west of Tokyo.
Chichibu (Japanese: 秩父市, Hepburn: Chichibu-shi) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 January 2021, the city had an estimated population of 61,159 in 26,380 households and a population density of 110 inhabitants per square kilometre (280/sq mi). The total area of the city is 577.83 square kilometres (223.10 sq mi).
Photo: Mayuno · CC BY-SA 3.0Mitsumine Shrine
A high mountain shrine occupies cedar forest above the upper Arakawa valley.
Mitsumine Shrine is a mountain Shinto complex high above Chichibu, approached through dense cedar forest. Its distinctive wolf guardians reflect an old protective cult associated with the surrounding mountains and remote settlements.
Photo: Abasaa · Public domainNagatoro
Rock terraces and river bends create an outdoor town on the Arakawa.
Nagatoro (長瀞町, Nagatoro-machi) is a town located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2021, the town had an estimated population of 6,838 in 2894 households and a population density of 220 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 30.43 square kilometres (11.75 sq mi).
Photo: yellow bird woodstock from JAPAN · CC BY-SA 2.0Tomioka Silk Mill
A World Heritage mill interprets Japan’s early industrial silk production.
Tomioka Silk Mill (富岡製糸場, Tomioka Seishijō) is Japan's oldest modern model silk reeling factory, established in 1872 by the government to introduce modern machine silk reeling from France and spread its technology in Japan. The factory is designated by the government as a National Historic Site and all its buildings are preserved in very good condition.
Photo: Qurren · CC BY-SA 4.0Ikaho Onsen
Stone steps climb through a compact hot-spring town below Mount Haruna.
Ikaho is a historic hot-spring town on the slopes of Mount Haruna, organized around a famous stone staircase of 365 steps. Inns and public baths draw on mineral-rich springs, including the iron-bearing water that gives some baths a reddish-brown colour.
Photo: Σ64 · CC BY 4.0Kusatsu Onsen
The Yubatake hot-water field gives one of Japan’s great onsen towns its center.
Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) is a hot spring resort located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, northwest of Tokyo. It is a popular tourist destination. There are 13 public baths at Kusatsu Onsen.
Photo: Ansjdjducciddkdjd · CC BY-SA 4.0Karuizawa
A wooded resort town provides the final overnight before the longer return south.
Karuizawa (軽井沢町, Karuizawa-machi) is a resort town in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 October 2025, it had an estimated population of 21,834 in 11,285 households, and a population density of 139 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 156.03 km2 (60.24 sq mi).
Drive the conditions,
not the itinerary.
Use main signed roads, verify snow and closure status and never substitute a closed alpine pass. Once parked at an onsen or brewery, the car stays still until the next sober day.
Checked against
the people who run it
Distances and driving times are planning estimates. Conditions, closures, ferries, permits and park rules can change, so check the linked official guidance before setting out.