Chichibu Tourist Information Center (Anohana corner)

Hours, closing days and facilities

The center is at 1-16-15 Nosaka-cho, Chichibu, directly in front of Seibu-Chichibu Station. It is open from 9:00 to 17:00. It is closed from December 29 to January 3 and on the second and fourth Monday of each month (the following Tuesday if that Monday is a national holiday), so check the Chichibu Tourism Association page before you go.

Inside, a brochure corner covers sights, lodging and restaurants across the Chichibu area, including Chichibu City and Ogano Town. The center has a nursing room, is registered as a baby-friendly rest stop, and offers Wi-Fi, with the password available at the reception desk.

Renting a bicycle

The center is one of the cycle stations of the Chichibu area rental scheme, which offers regular and electric-assist bicycles. The center holds 20 regular bicycles and 11 electric ones. Rental hours are 9:00 to 17:00, with the last rental accepted at 15:00. Renters must be at least 13 years old and show photo identification such as a student card or driver's license.

Regular bicycles cost about 500 yen for 1 hour, about 1,000 yen for 3 hours and about 1,500 yen for 8 hours (until 17:00). Electric bicycles cost about 1,000 yen, about 2,000 yen and about 2,500 yen for the same periods. Bicycles are lent first come, first served on the day, though online reservations are also available. Bikes may not be available during large festivals such as the Chichibu Night Festival on December 2 and 3.

A model route from the station

The Chichibu city travel guide has a model course for fans of Anohana and another anime set in the area. It tells visitors to pick up the pilgrimage map at this center on arrival. The course then uses local buses to visit the Ryusei Kaikan hall, Chichibu Bridge and Temple 17 (Jorinji), places the guide marks as linked to Anohana, before walking back to the station via Chichibu Shrine and Bamba-dori street. The guide notes that bus times can change, so confirm them before setting out.