Higashichichibu, Mountain village in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Higashibibichu is a mountain village in Saitama Prefecture situated in a secluded valley surrounded by forested hills and agricultural land. The settlement features traditional buildings and craft workshops scattered across the terrain, creating a rural landscape shaped by farming and local industry.
The village was formed in 1956 when two neighboring municipalities merged to create a single administrative unit in the Chichibu district. This consolidation brought together farming communities and their craft traditions under one local government.
The community maintains deep roots in traditional Japanese paper crafting, an activity that shapes daily life and local identity. Visitors walking through the village can see workshops where artisans produce washi by hand, a practice that continues to define the place.
Traveling here requires a personal vehicle since the nearest train stations are located in adjacent towns and not within the village itself. Roads are narrow and rural, so visitors should expect driving conditions typical of mountain areas.
The area contains a significant number of peach trees concentrated in a dedicated site and rare red spider lilies that line a scenic riverbank walk. This plant life creates seasonal viewing opportunities that draw nature enthusiasts throughout the year.
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