Hana no Omotenashi Choseikan
Hana no Omotenashi Choseikan is a charming ryokan nestled in the magnificent hills of Nagatoro. Located in Saitama Prefecture, Choseikan serves affordable all-you-can eat nagashi somen and picturesque nature views – and it’s just an hour’s train ride from Tokyo.
Scenic riverscapes for a therapeutic stay
Image adapted from: Nagatoro Choseikan Ryokan and Nagatoro Choseikan Ryokanan
Right across the doorstep of Choseikan lies the Arakawa River, which begins its 173km journey from the Saitama Prefecture where the restaurant is located. Arakawa River translates to “Rough River”, stemming from its tumultuous history of floods. But rest assured – now the rapids serve only as a peaceful backdrop to your relaxing vacation.
Image credit: tenjox
Apart from the occasional boatful of travellers, the Arakawa River also carries an impressive sculpture created by the hands of nature: the Nagatoro Iwadatami. These successive layers of flat rock overlap each other like tatami along a length of 500m of the river, forming natural steps for riverside walk.
Get lost in fields of seasonal flora and fauna
Image adapted from: @nagatoro_choseikan_ryokan, 長瀞 花のおもてなし長生館 -Nagatoro Choseikan Ryokan, @nagatoro_choseikan_ryokan
As the “hana” in the ryokan’s name suggests, Hana no Omotenashi Choseikan is decked with blossoms throughout the year. Expect to get some bird-watching done, and spot winged visitors such as the adorable Japanese Tit, as the seasons come and go through the numerous gardens of Choseikan.
Image adapted from: @nagatoro_choseikan_ryokan and @nagatoro_choseikan_ryokan
The view by the river also changes all year round as leaves take on a beautiful warm glow and then fall for spring to arrive again.
Check out @nagatoro_choseikan_ryokan, Choseikan’s Instagram page, or the ryokan’s very own flower calendar for forecasts of the flora and fauna that will grace your trip there!
Refreshing nagashi somen & speciality dishes in summer
Image credit: Nagatoro Choseikan Ryokan
Nagashi somen (流しそうめん; flowing noodles), for the uninitiated, is a traditional summer dish. The diner has to “catch” noodles flowing down a bamboo chute with their chopsticks and then dip the somen in refreshing sauce before slurping them up.
Image credit: Nagatoro Choseikan Ryokan
At Hana no Omotenashi Choseikan, you’ll have a taste of local hospitality all in one bite. All ingredients are sourced from nearby locations. The nagashi somen is made by a local noodle factory, and the fresh springwater that carries the noodles down the bamboo chutes comes from the neighbouring Okuchichibu mountains.
Image credit: Lily Crossley-Baxter
The all-you-can-eat nagashi somen is ¥1,500 (~USD11.12) for elementary school students and above and ¥700 (~USD5.19) for 3- to 6-year-olds. Children under 2 can enjoy the meal for free.
If catching fine white noodles zooming through cold running water isn’t novel enough for you, try the speciality dishes at Choseikan.
Image credit: 長瀞・長生館 流しそうめん（夏季限定）
The fresh, crispy salt-grilled fish (¥900, ~USD6.67) is a must-have for seafood lovers. Also look out for their miso fries (¥500, ~USD3.70) and walnut cookies (¥300, ~USD2.22).
Getting to Hana no Omotenashi Choseikan
Image credit: Nagatoro Choseikan Ryokan
Hop on the Chichibu-tetsudo train from Tokyo Station to Nagatoro Station, and you’ll find the ryokan with its nagashi somen restaurant only a 3-minute walk away.
Image adapted from: Nagatoro Choseikan Ryokan and Nagatoro Choseikan Ryokan
Since you’ve made the one-hour journey to Choseikan, you might want to stay a night or two at one of the many tranquil onsens here. There are many other activities – such as hiking trails to explore and water rafting, which will take up at least another half a day of your time.
Getting there: take the Chichibu-tetsudo train from Tokyo Station to Nagatoro Station, and then take a 3-minute walk to the ryokan.
Address: 449 Nagatoro, Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu District, 369-1305 Saitama
Opening hours: 7am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 4946-61113 | Hana no Omotenachi Choseikan website
Also check out:
- Sanin Hawai Onsen Bokoro: floating inn near scenic lake togo that will have you spirited away
- Gujo Hachiman: quaint riverside town in Gifu with koi fish swimming in their drains
- Nagashi somen slide in Japan lets you play with your food while challenging your chopstick skills
- Meigen Udon: self-service udon restaurant lets you boil your own noodles & assemble your meal
- 10 things to do in Japan in summer, from eating flowing bamboo noodles to getting spooked by ghosts
Cover image adapted from: Nagatoro Choseikan Ryokan, @nagatoro_choseikan_ryokan, @nagatoro_choseikan_ryokan