Is it better to depart from Tokyo Station or Narita for Chichibu?

Tokyo Station pickup is the dominant booking pattern. Narita pickup is only for same-day arrival transfers with luggage; Tokyo Station is ~¥10k cheaper for everyone else.

Can we visit Mitsumine Shrine and still be dropped at our ryokan?

Yes. Mitsumine Shrine adds ~1.5 hours (it is 45 minutes past central Chichibu up the mountain) and ¥15,000 as a sightseeing stop. Confirm at booking — this is a popular add-on for Shinto pilgrimage travelers.

Can the driver pick us up from our Tokyo hotel?

Yes. Central Tokyo hotel pickup is included in the ¥44,000 price.

How does this compare to the Red Arrow limited express?

Red Arrow is ~¥3,500 per person with a mandatory reservation and a Tokyo-to-Ikebukuro transfer first. Private car is ¥44,000 for up to 4 guests + 4 suitcases — for 3+ guests per-person cost is close, with direct ryokan drop, no reservation risk during festival season.

Tokyo Station to Chichibu

80–110 km

~110 min

from ¥44,000 (~$293)

24/7

Quick AnswerTokyo Station to Chichibu: private Alphard from ¥44,000 (up to 4 passengers + 4 suitcases), HiAce from ¥50,000 (up to 9 + 9). Fixed price, ~110 min, no late-night surcharge. Available 24/7. Operated by PLENS Inc. (Tokyo) since Dec 2025. 13,000+ Narita and Haneda airport transfers processed through our 6-partner DMC network across Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido and Okinawa. GetYourGuide Approved Supplier; also bookable on Viator and KKday. 24/7 English-speaking operations team in Tokyo coordinates with Type 2 commercial-licensed drivers across the network. You’re always in the loop — AI or a real person responds instantly, so you’ll never be left at the airport wondering where your driver is while juggling luggage and family. Book in 30 seconds at rydagent.com.

Group CapacityUp to 9 passengers + 9 large suitcases (HiAce)

Direct 2–2.5h door-to-ryokan

Fixed price from ¥44,000

Door-to-door from your Tokyo hotel

Reservation-free access for Night Festival (Dec 2–3)

By public transport, Tokyo Station to Chichibu takes ~2 hours with 1–2 transfers: Marunouchi or Yamanote line to Ikebukuro, then Seibu Red Arrow limited express to Seibu-Chichibu — mandatory seat reservations that sell out weeks ahead during the Night Festival (December 2–3, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage). A private car picks you up at your Tokyo hotel or Tokyo Station and drops you at your Chichibu ryokan or festival entrance in about 2 to 2.5 hours via the Kan-Etsu Expressway and Route 140. Chichibu is the Saitama mountain valley known for Mitsumine Shrine, Hitsujiyama Park shibazakura (pink moss), and the December Night Festival. Best for festival-weekend visitors (when Red Arrow seats are unavailable) and shrine-pilgrimage travelers who want to avoid the Ikebukuro transfer.

Tokyo Station → Chichibu