Chichibu Bus Tour: Wisdom of Living with Nature (Miraikan)

The National Museum of Nature and Science (Miraikan), located in Odaiba, is organizing a one-day bus tour to Chichibu on November 28, 2026, titled "Tracing the Wisdom of Living with Nature in Chichibu." This tour aims to provide participants with a hands-on experience of how our lives are supported by nature's bounty, focusing on the region's "clothing, food, and shelter," and to explore the wisdom and culture of people who have coexisted with nature.

Learning about Coexistence with Nature through Chichibu's "Clothing, Food, and Shelter"

The tour begins by exploring Chichibu's history of sericulture. A visit to "Kagemori Sericulture Farm," a family-run farm passed down for five generations, will offer insights into the work and culture of silkworm farming, which historically supported the region through the production of "Meisen" silk fabric. Although mulberry fields have become scarce, this offers a chance to encounter a precious tradition.

For lunch, participants will savor flavorful soba noodles made from local Chichibu buckwheat flour at "Arakawa-tei Soba Dojo." Chichibu's basin climate and well-drained soil are ideal for buckwheat cultivation, and this experience will highlight why.

In the afternoon, the focus shifts to Chichibu's forests, which cover about 87% of the area, and its forestry. At the Saitama Forest Science Museum, participants will learn about the benefits of forests that have supported the local community through charcoal, timber, and mushroom production, as well as newer uses like maple syrup production. They will also hear directly from Saitama prefectural staff about how Chichibu's forests, which serve as an important water source for the Tokyo metropolitan area, are managed and maintained.

Tour Overview

• Event Title: One-Day Bus Tour: Tracing the Wisdom of Living with Nature in Chichibu
• Date & Time: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (times are approximate)
• Meeting & Disbandment Point: Near Seibu-Chichibu Station
• Venues: 1. Kagemori Sericulture Farm, 2. Arakawa-tei Soba Dojo, 3. Saitama Forest Science Museum
• Target Audience: 5th graders and above (children under 14 must be accompanied by a guardian)
• Participation Fee: Not specified (please check the official website)
• Reservations: Advance reservations are likely required (please check the official website)

Access Information

As this is a bus tour, participants will meet and disband at the designated location. Please use public transportation to reach the meeting point near Seibu-Chichibu Station.

About the Venue

While the event takes place in Chichibu, it is organized by the National Museum of Nature and Science, located at 2-3-6 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo. The nearest stations to the National Museum of Nature and Science are Yurikamome Tokyo Big Sight Station and Rinkai Line Kokusai-Tenjijo Station.