MarchWinter Scenery · Tokyo & Around
Misotsuchi Icicles
Chichibu, SaitamaFrozen waterfall & icicles❄ Best season: Mid Jan – Mid Feb✦ Illumination
Overview
Overview
In the mountains near the source of the Arakawa River, spring water seeping from the rock face freezes into natural icicles. They are counted among the three great icicle sites of Chichibu, and an evening illumination is also held during the winter period.
- Address
- Otaki (Misotsuchi), Chichibu, Saitama
- Official website
- http://www.chichibuji.gr.jp/misotuti8/
Tours & tickets for this areaPR
Peak Time
When to Go
Best seasonUsually around mid-January to mid-February
December
January
February
The size of the icicles varies greatly with that winter’s temperatures. Check the Chichibu Tourism Association’s announcements for the 2027 event period and illumination dates
Seasons are typical guides. Snow, ice and drift ice depend heavily on each year’s weather.
Highlights
Highlights
The icicles hanging across the rock face reach about 8 m high and about 30 m wide, all formed from natural spring water freezing. By day you can enjoy the pale blue texture of the ice, and during the illumination its magical form glowing in the light.
📷 Best views
Viewing area along the Arakawa River
Natural icicles hanging from the rock face, seen up close. Illuminated at night
Illumination
Illumination & winter lights
- Period
- Usually during the event period in January–February (January 10 – February 23 in 2026)
In 2026, lit 17:00–19:00 on weekdays and 17:00–20:00 on weekends and holidays. Not yet announced for 2027
Hours
Opening hours
Viewing hours (2026 example)8:30–17:00
Held January 9 – February 23 in 2026. Dates for 2027 have not been announced
In winter, hours can change and services can be suspended because of the weather. Check the official website before you go.
Admission
Admission & fares
Admission (2026)Adults (junior high school students and older) ¥300, elementary school students ¥200
ParkingRegular car ¥500
Private paid parking lots only
Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓Bring a flashlight if you visit for the evening illumination
- ✓Official guidance asks drivers to set car navigation to 985 Otaki, Chichibu
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Misotsuchi bus stop (Seibu Kanko Bus, Mitsumine Jinja Line)Bus from Seibu-Chichibu Station or Mitsumineguchi Station
- From major stations & airports
- Seibu-Chichibu Station: Seibu Kanko Bus Mitsumine Jinja Line to Misotsuchi
- Hanazono IC (Kan-Etsu Expressway): Car (About 2 hr)
- Driving & winter roads
- Private paid parking lots only (Woodroof Okuchichibu Auto Campground and Tsuchiuchi Campground). Regular car ¥500. Roads freeze, so winter tires are required
- Getting back
- Local buses in the mountains are infrequent, so check the return bus times in advance
Weather
Temperature & staying warm
- Typical temperatures
- January normals for Tokyo: high 9.8°C, low 1.2°C; February: high 10.9°C, low 2.1°C (Japan Meteorological Agency). The site is in the Chichibu mountains and much colder than central Tokyo
- What to wear & bring
- Midwinter mountain gear such as a heavy down jacket, gloves and a hat. The site is icy and slippery, so non-slip shoes are essential
Rules
Rules & safety
- !The site and roads are icy and very slippery. Use winter tires and non-slip shoes
Events
Events & festivals in Central Tokyo
March
AprilBunkyo Azalea Festival
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually around April 1–30 (the 55th festival was held April 1–30, 2026). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late April
MaySanja Matsuri
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-May, on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the third Saturday of May (May 15–17 in 2026, with the ceremony to install the deities in the mikoshi on the Thursday evening before)
JulySumida River Fireworks Festival
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday of July (19:00–20:30)
JulyShiman-rokusen-nichi / Hoozuki Market
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year on July 9 and 10
Every year on July 9 and 10 (same dates in 2027)
AugustTokyo Koenji Awa-Odori
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday and Sunday of August (around 17:00–20:00)
NovemberTori-no-Ichi
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually on the Days of the Rooster in November (2–3 days, 12 days apart). At Otori Shrine in Asakusa, it runs from midnight to midnight (0:00–24:00) on each Rooster Day
2026: two days, Ichi-no-Tori on Nov 7 (Sat) and Ni-no-Tori on Nov 19 (Thu) (no market on the days in between)
November–FebruaryMarunouchi Illumination
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-November to mid-February of the following year (about 3 months)
2026: Nov 12 (Thu) – Feb 14, 2027 (Sun)
DecemberHagoita-ichi (Battledore Market)
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year December 17–19 (Senso-ji explicitly states "the three days from December 17 to 19")
2026: Dec 17 (Thu) – Dec 19 (Sat)
Attractions
Attractions in Central Tokyo
Theme parkTokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo Disneyland / Tokyo DisneySea)
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Located in Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, this resort centers on two theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. It’s about 20 minutes from Tokyo Station on the JR Keiyo Line, close enough for a day trip from central Tokyo. Park tickets are date-specific with variable pricing and must be bought in advance on the official website or official app.
Advance, date-specific tickets required
Studio tourWarner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter
Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
This indoor walk-through attraction takes you behind the scenes of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series. It opened in June 2023 on the former site of Toshimaen. There are no rides; instead, you explore sets, props, and costumes on foot at your own pace.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
Theme parkSanrio Puroland
Tokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Tama
A fully indoor theme park where you can meet Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and other Sanrio characters. Parades, musical shows, rides, and character greetings are packed into a four-story building, so you can enjoy a full day regardless of the weather.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
ExperienceteamLab Planets TOKYO DMM
Tokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Toyosu
An immersive museum by the art collective teamLab where you walk barefoot into the artworks. It's a series of vast spaces, including works you wade through water to experience, where your whole body becomes one with the art. It's scheduled to run until the end of 2027.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
ZooUeno Zoological Gardens
Tokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Ueno
Japan's oldest zoo, located inside Ueno Park. With affordable admission, it's a central Tokyo zoo that's easy to combine with Ueno's art galleries and museums.
AquariumSumida Aquarium
Tokyo & Around ・ Oshiage / Tokyo Skytree Town
An urban aquarium on the 5th and 6th floors of Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi. It's entirely indoors and directly connected to the station, so you can drop by whatever the weather. It stays open into the evening, making it easy to pair with the Skytree observation decks or sightseeing in Asakusa.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
AquariumKamogawa Sea World
Tokyo & Around ・ Kamogawa, Chiba
An aquarium on the Pacific coast of the Boso Peninsula where you can see performances by four species: orcas, belugas, dolphins, and sea lions. Admission includes all performances. It's about 2 hours from Tokyo Station by the Limited Express Wakashio or the direct Akushi-go highway bus (アクシー号), so it works as a day trip.
Amusement parkYomiuriland
Tokyo & Around ・ Inagi
An amusement park in Inagi, Tokyo, with something to enjoy year-round: pools in summer and illuminations in winter. Inside the park is PokéPark KANTO, an area where more than 600 Pokémon live. It's about 10 minutes from Keio-yomiuri-land Station by the Sky Shuttle gondola.
AquariumSunshine Aquarium
Tokyo & Around ・ Ikebukuro
An urban aquarium on the roof of the World Import Mart Building in Ikebukuro's Sunshine City. Themed as an oasis in the sky, it consists of indoor exhibits on two floors and the outdoor Marine Garden. It's within walking distance of Ikebukuro and Higashi-Ikebukuro stations, making it easy to drop by between other Tokyo sightseeing.
Winter Scenery
Winter Scenery in Tokyo & Around
Frozen waterfall & icicles
Frozen waterfall & icicles
Hot spring townYunishigawa Onsen Kamakura & Snow Scenery
Tokyo & Around ・ Nikko
❄ Best season: Late Jan – Late Feb
✦ Illumination
Seasons, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Winter weather often causes suspensions and road closures, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-06
