The fee mentioned is for the admission to Tokigawa Onsen (880 yen per adult on weekends × 2 adults + 500 yen per child × 2 children). This does not include the cost of equipment such as water shoes, float rings, or life jackets.
For many, summer means the beach, but rivers offer another great waterside option. With a steady one-way current, the always cool water makes river play an ideal summer-only activity.
Here’s an invitation to some river fun!
[Tokigawa Town, Sanba Valley]
Ranked 3rd in the "Canal & River Scenery in Saitama Prefecture" category by Jalan, this valley is located in Tokigawa Town, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture. The serene valley is so picturesque that it was once used as a filming location for Itoen's "Oi Ocha" tea commercials.
And it’s no wonder! At certain times of the day, the scenery is truly breathtaking.
Jump Right In at the Spot Right in Front of You After Descending the Steps
What’s great about this river is that shallow areas, deep spots, and rapids are scattered within a 200-meter walking distance.
Children of various ages, from toddlers to thrill-seeking elementary schoolers, can enjoy the different parts of the river.
If you go right after facing away from the steps, you’ll encounter some rapids and a deeper area about waist-deep for adults. Some kids were jumping in, but be careful—there are plenty of rocks at the bottom!
Going left takes you through areas of varying depths, eventually leading to a natural water slide!
Our family became obsessed with this spot this year, enjoying it about 30 times.
The River's Color Changes Throughout the Day
During our first visit, we started playing at 9:30 AM, and by 11:00 AM, the crowds began to gather.
This time, we started at 11:15 AM, and it was already packed with people, turning the river into a muddy mess.
The murkiness could be due to rain, but when there are too many people, the sand from the bottom gets stirred up, turning the river brown.
I definitely recommend the emerald-green river. An earlier start is best!
Parking Info, Fees, and Hours
The dedicated parking lot is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Though the number of parking spaces is not specified, there are likely about 50. Summer parking fees are 2,000 yen per car. This is the closest parking lot to the river, so it fills up quickly.
Note: Residents of Tokigawa Town park for free.
Summer parking fees apply from July 1st to August 31st.
On our first visit, we arrived at 9:15 AM and had no trouble parking. This year, we arrived at 10:50 AM to find the lot already full.
As we were wondering what to do, we drove about 250 meters along the road and found a parking area unrelated to Sanba Valley that charges 1,000 yen per day. We ended up using that this year.
After Staying for Two Hours, It’s Time to Rehydrate...
Playing in the water, whether in a river or elsewhere, can be exhausting. About an hour and a half in, our faces began to show signs of fatigue, so we decided to call it a day.
Sanba Valley and Tokigawa Onsen Are Just a 5-Minute Drive Apart—The Perfect Pairing
Since the area around the river is rich in nature, there are no designated changing areas. Our family quickly changed clothes using wrap towels, laid out sheets in the car to protect the seats from getting wet, and headed to Tokigawa Onsen.
While the bathwater at Tokigawa Onsen isn’t directly from the hot spring source, the combination of indoor and open-air baths with their smooth water will warm you up after a chilly river experience.
You can’t check in while still in your wet swimsuit, clothes, or shoes, so be sure to change first.
In addition to the baths, there’s a traditional house café and a footbath café, making it a great place to unwind and relieve the fatigue from the river.
It’s been so hot lately that I can’t live without air conditioning, but why not enjoy some summer fun that’s only possible during the peak season?
Sanba Valley
(1) 30 minutes by car from Kan-Etsu Expressway’s Higashimatsuyama IC or Ranzan-Ogawa IC
(2) 50 minutes by car from Ken-O Expressway’s Tsurugashima IC or Sayama-Hidaka IC
(3) 2.7 km walk from JR Hachiko Line’s Myokaku Station or take the bus (limited service) from Seseragi Bus Center and walk 1.5 km (Note: The bus stop in front of Sanba Valley has been closed).
Shikisai-kan
Open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last entry at 7:30 PM).
