The Paleo Express is a steam train which used to run across the north-east of Japan and was reintroduced 25 years ago. This is the closest place from Tokyo in order to experience the steam train and is the only train of its kind running in the 21st century. It was named after the dinosaur which used to roam around the Chichibu area 20 million years ago.

The train arrives blowing its whistle.

It’s dynamic to view the train up-close and it feels just like the dinosaur it was named after.
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How many of you have felt like taking a stroll in a town filled with Japanese traditions? This is a guide to Chichibu in Saitama, abundant in nature and history. Chichibu and Nagatoro are both located in the north-western area of Saitama and there are many mountains and rivers, as well as historic buildings such as shrines. It takes 1 hour 20 minutes on the limited express to go to Chichibu on the Seibu Ikebukuro line from Ikebukuro station.

First, Hodosan shrine in Nagatoro.

When Prince Yamato Takeru no Mikoto arrived here in the Archaean era, he fell victim to a mountain fire. A mountain dog – also a god protecting this area – extinguished the fire and saved him from the flames.

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