My family and I have been staying in Tokyo for the month of September. While we visit Tokyo often, we don’t normally come when the weather is warm. We have enough of that warm and humid weather where we live in Singapore. However, this year we made an exception, because one thing we don’t have much access to in Singapore is nature.
September in Tokyo is a bit of a bet. While the weather is usually still warm, there is a high chance of rain as well. So when we found out that today was going to be the last sunny and warm day for awhile, I told my teammates I’m going to take a leave (I’ll make it up by working on Saturday when it’s rainy), and off we went for a drive to Sanba Gorge.
Getting to Sanba Gorge
Sanba Gorge is located in Tokigawa, a town in Saitama prefecture. It takes around 1 to 1.5 hours drive from Tokyo. There is a parking area with stairs that leads you down to the river.
It costs 1,000 yen to park in September. There is a toilet in the parking area, but it is a temporary toilet. It’s clean-ish, but stinks! And of course, in typical Japan style, there is one vending machine.
You can take public transportation to reach Sanba Gorge, but it requires a bit of work. It’s 40 minutes walk from the nearest train station (Myokaku Station), or 20 minutes walk from a bus stop. In general, it will take around 2.5 hours to reach from Shibuya through a combination of train, bus and walking.
We were only there for water play at the river. We spent about 2.5 hours at Samba Gorge, and I find that it is enough. I saw online that some people also come here for rock climbing. I think it’s a good day trip from Tokyo if you’re looking to escape the city.
When is the best time to visit Sanba Gorge?
When the temperature is about 28 degrees or above and it’s sunny, it’s the best time to visit! I recommend the months of July to September.
The water is cold in the river, and it will provide a much needed respite from the heat. The river is mostly protected with shadows from the trees, so while it is still warm, you won’t have to worry about getting sunburnt.
I also hear it’s very popular with locals, so try to come on a weekday. When we were there, it was a Wednesday and there were only a handful of other people (mostly models doing photoshoots).
Is Sanba Gorge child-friendly?
Yes, and this is the main reason why we came here! The water is clean and a little cold, but most of the river around the staircase from the parking area is not very deep. I have a baby (1 year old) and a primary school child. They both enjoyed playing in the river.
There are little fish in the water. My older child enjoyed looking at them with his snorkeling mask.
What to bring if you’re visiting Sanba Gorge
Picnic mat and chair – The area around the gorge is covered with rocks. It’s not very comfortable to sit on, so make sure you bring a foldable chair for yourself.
Snacks, water and food – There isn’t much amenities around Sanba Gorge. The nearest konbini is a 7/11 about 18 minutes walk away, so it’s best to come prepared.
Aqua Shoes, Swimming suit, towel – If you plan to get into the water (and I highly suggest you do) don’t forget these!
Mosquito Repellent – During the warmer months, mosquitoes come out and play. I got bit several times while in the river.
Alright, that’s all I know about visiting Sanba Gorge. If you decide to go, let me know in the comment below!
Have fun visiting Japan 🙂