See Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains! 4 recommended driving courses in Saitama Prefecture

Saitama Prefecture is located in the inland area of the Kanto region. It ranks 4th in the country for population density and 5th in total population. Known for its landmarks and gourmet food, Saitama also offers plenty of driving routes. In this article, we’ll introduce recommended driving courses in Saitama. Each course is enjoyable just by driving along. They’re also great for road trips with a rental car.

1. Ryogamisan Course

On the Ryogamisan Course in Saitama Prefecture, you can enjoy a drive while taking in the rich nature of Ryogamisan, which is listed among Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. The course runs from the intersection in front of Ogano High School to Marugami Falls, covering about 25 kilometers. If you drive quickly, it takes about 30 minutes; if you drive leisurely, about 50 minutes. Along the way, you’ll find restaurants, hot springs, and memorial halls. Stopping by some of them could make your drive even more enjoyable.

If you get hungry during the drive, “Yumekura” is recommended. Located in Chichibu District, Saitama, it’s a popular restaurant offering unique original dishes. Highlights include “Jomon Curry,” made with medicinal herbs like jujube and wolfberry mixed into the roux, and “Kabutara Pizza,” made with soba flour and black sesame dough topped with plenty of melting cheese. These are unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere, and not only unique but also delicious enough to make your cheeks drop with delight.

2. Naguri Valley Course

As the name suggests, the Naguri Valley Course takes you through Naguri Valley in Saitama Prefecture. Surrounded by cedar and cypress, you can enjoy a drive while taking in the lush natural scenery. The course runs from Seibu Ikebukuro Line’s Hannō Station to the exit of the Shōmaru Tunnel, covering about 40 kilometers with a drive time of about 60 minutes.

Along the route, there are restaurants and day-use bathing facilities worth stopping at. One recommended restaurant, located about 30 minutes from the starting point, is called “Rakuan.” Here, you can enjoy delicious Japanese food while listening to the murmuring of the river. Their most popular menu item is “handmade soba,” crafted from carefully selected domestic soba flour.

About a minute further from the restaurant, you’ll find “Sawarabino-yu,” a bathing facility offering a large public bath, steam sauna, outdoor jacuzzi, and more. The highlight is the outdoor jacuzzi, where you can soak while gazing at the valley. The alkaline simple spring water also leaves your skin silky smooth. While there isn’t a dining hall, you can bring your own food into the dedicated rest room.

3. Satoyama Course

The Satoyama Course lets you drive through the satoyama (village forest landscapes) of Saitama Prefecture. There are no leisure facilities along the way; instead, it’s about enjoying the prefecture’s rich natural beauty. However, because a river runs along part of the course, you can enjoy fishing if you’d like a break from driving.

The course runs from Higashimatsuyama IC to Kuroyama bus stop. About 40 minutes from the starting point is Ryūonji Temple, known for its legend of taming an evil dragon. The temple was named after this story. It was also beloved by famous figures like Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Although the main hall was lost in a Taishō-era fire, many cultural treasures remain.

About 8 minutes further is the Kuroyama Three Waterfalls, made up of Odaki, Medaki, and Tengu Falls. These were once used for training and recreation. While they are less used that way today, they remain beloved by many visitors. Each waterfall has unique features, making them all worth seeing. Every July, a waterfall-opening ceremony is also held here.

4. Old Iron Bridge Course

The Old Iron Bridge Course takes you through the Chichibu area of Saitama Prefecture. Starting from the Koma River basin with its abundant nature, the route runs to Chichibu. The course goes from Iruma IC to the Old Iron Bridge, covering about 85 kilometers with a drive time of around 2 hours.

Along the way, you’ll find facilities for barbecues and camping, restaurants serving handmade soba, and hot spring inns where you can bathe while enjoying views of Saitama’s rich nature. Many inns also offer day-use hot springs, and you can enjoy not only the baths but also local wild vegetable dishes.

◎ Summary

We introduced recommended driving courses in Saitama Prefecture. As shown, Saitama has plenty of attractive routes. Along these courses, you’ll also find bathing facilities, restaurants, and landmarks, offering a wide variety of ways to enjoy your trip. If you ever feel like driving in Saitama, be sure to use this article as a reference.

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See Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains! 4 recommended driving courses in Saitama Prefecture