A poppy field in Chichibu, Saitama prefecture, Japan, blooms in May about 90 minutes north of Yokota Air Base. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Summer is here and with it the chance to see the many sites and events of a city hidden in a valley in Saitama prefecture, not far from Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo.
Surrounded by mountains, Chichibu is an inviting, nature-filled weekend destination. On an overcast day in late May, local friends helped my family and me navigate the area.
We took a winding road up to Chichibu Muse Park, a loaded recreation area that spans nearly 1,000 acres across the city. The park is laid out in four zones consisting of sports areas, culturally themed entertainment, hiking and open spaces for adults and children.
The park also boasts a grand music hall and a large open-air entertainment stage that seats up to 5,000 visitors. It features opportunities to see local artistic expressions, including Japanese music and dance.
Greek statues stand inside a fountain at Muse Park in Chichibu, Saitama prefecture, Japan, about 90 minutes north of Yokota Air Base. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
We visited the captivating Fountain of the Muses, an acre of Greek-styled marble statues and columns.
A rest pavilion called the Parthenon, named for the Greek architectural wonder, was a comfortable reprieve from a day of the rain and heavy fog. We found there a small café and vending area, and it also serves as an evacuation zone.
Flower gardens found throughout the park are filled with an array of species including the rhododendron, hydrangea and daffodil, and can be observed through the spring season.
Greek columns and statues stand inside a fountain at Muse Park in Chichibu, Saitama prefecture, Japan, about 90 minutes north of Yokota Air Base. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Greek-style structures stand inside at Muse Park in Chichibu, Saitama prefecture, Japan, about 90 minutes north of Yokota Air Base (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Later, as the rain continued, we drove up a winding mountain road in Higashi-Chichibu to attempt a look at the Tenku no Poppy, or the “Poppies in the Sky,” at the Sainokuni Fureai Ranch.
On a clear, spring day, millions of red, white and pink poppies spread across rolling fields of green to the horizon. However, on this day, we found dense clouds had settled there and, sadly, obscured the view.
We were not wholly disappointed as we descended to a lower ranch featuring red poppies in the same area. Thousands of people usually come to take photos of the Poppies in the Sky from mid-May through June.
We reserved Hitsujiyama Park, well known for its Hill of Pink Moss, for a future visit. The season has passed, but when in bloom, approximately 800,000 flowers appear on the six-acre field; a multitude of visitors travel from near and far to view them each year during the Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri festival held mid-spring.
Another place worth a visit includes Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, almost 500 square miles of mountainous and heavily forested park. It spreads out into four prefectures including Saitama, Nagano, Yamanashi and some of Tokyo. If you are a hiking enthusiast, this would fit the bill, just be careful of the bears known to inhabit the area.
Directions: About a 90-minute drive from Yokota Air Base; two hours by train. Muse Park at 2518 Nagaru, Ogano, Chichibu District, Saitama 368-0102; Poppies in the Sky field at 2949-1 Sakamoto, Higashichichibu Village, Chichibu District, Saitama prefecture, 355-0372.
Times: Chichibu Muse Park is open every day year-round.
Costs: Parking and entrance are free at Muse Park.
Food: Café, vending, and picnic areas available at Muse Park.
Information: Online: muse-park.com; tenku-poppy.jp; there are restrooms at Muse Park. Parking is available for the poppy field, but the mountain road leading there may get congested.
