A day trip to visit “Orange natural carpet” made by California poppies at Saimata · Nagatoro!

Yesterday we have introduced you Chichibu Kogen Bokujo at Saitama Prefecture, where visitors can enjoy a day trip to view 15 million poppies. Today we would like to introduce you another place at Nagatoro area of Saitama Prefecture where visitors are able to see “orange natural carpet” made by California poppies.

Take Chichibu Railway from Minano Station (departs at 12:09 or 12:59), to Nagatoro Station (arrives at 12:17 or 13:08). After arrived, walk towards to Hodosan Shrine will lead you to the final destination at your left hand side where is easy to access.

There is a large slope face to West, where you will see a beautiful natual flower field full of yellow and orange flowers. They are California poppies, also called as “golden poppies” or “Eschscholzia californica”.

Due to the field is facing the West with plenty of sunshine supply, therefore the flowers in the area are impressively gorgeous. California poppies tend to blooming in full sun and grows in sunny sites, and fade in raining day.

Due to the field is facing the West with plenty of sunshine supply, therefore the flowers in the area are impressively gorgeous. California poppies tend to blooming in full sun and grows in sunny sites, and fade in raining day.

Although the slope looks like an extensive flower field full with orange California poppies, but if you look them more closely and carefully, it actually have quite a number of beautiful white and pink flowers in between.

We suggest you to visit Chichibu Kogen Bokujo in the morning for the “natural red carpet”, and see the “natural orange carpet” at Nagatoro Station in the afternoon. The trip will be full of natural and healthy walk and activities with many flowers and natural environment. The best timing to visit here is from mid-May until end of May.

In addition, there are a lot of other attractions in Nagatoro of Saitam Prefecture. Visitors can also visit Hodosan Shrine where is not far from the “natural orange carpet”.

Furthermore, visitors are able to enjoy the shops provide food and souvenirs when return. There are also fun activity such as Whitewater Boating in Nagatoro Iwadatami (lit. Nagatoro rock tatami).

We was going to do the whitewater rafting, however the seat was full for upper reaches of the river. A friendly reminder that the upper route is very popular, therefore suggest you make reservation as early as possible.

Due to the train pass through Chichibu Railway from Nagaroto Station to Seibu Railway, therefore don't need to make any interchange in the way to Ikebukuro Station. The direct train is from Nagatoro Station and departs at 15:22 or 16:25.

Buy “Chihchibu 2 Day Pass” at Ikebukuro Station is recommended. (2,320 yen per adult, 1,180 yen for child)
It is a 2 day pass ticket, therefore you can stay one night at Chichibu. A two-day free ride between Ashigakubo Station and Seibu Chichibu Station on Chichibu Railway (between Nogami Station and Mitsumineguchi Station). Although above mentioned plan didn't on this ride, but visitors could enjoy the discount for return trip from Nagatoro (Adult: 1,600 yen→1,450 yen), also enjoy the discount at tourist facilities and sponsor stores.
※It will cost about 2,650 yen based on the tickets mentioned above schedule, so the 2 day pass ticket will help you to save 330 yen in total.

★Simple map in Nagatoro

A＝Nagatoro Station
B＝Former Arai Family's Main House・Nagatoro town museum
C＝”Natural orange carpet” made by California poppies
D＝Hodosan ropeway
E＝Hodosan Shrine
F＝Asamireizou Hodosan branch（ice shavings made by Chichibu water）
G＝Nagatoro Boating and rafting down information center
H＝Iwadatami-dori（famous for soba, souvenirs, accommodations...）
I＝Nagatoro Boating and rafting down stop point
J＝Iwadatami

writer ： makoa187jp
Deep knowledge of railway, and believes trains are not just as simiple as a transportation, also an enjoyment of a journey. Have a lot of experiences writing articles regards railway travel, and high knowledgement of season foliage. Visited about 50 hot springs so far.