For travellers who want a quiet riverside walk in local Tokyo, away from the crowds. The main part of this tour is a walk along the Ochiai River, a clear, shallow stream fed by spring water. A hot spring bath at the end is optional.

Before You Book the Bath Option
Swimming in Japan is nude and separated by gender. Guests with tattoos cannot enter, and children under 6 cannot join the bath option. As a male guide, I cannot enter the women's bath area. If any of this applies to you, choose the walk-only option. You still get the full river walk.

The Ochiai River: Tokyo's Only Spring Water on Japan's “100 Remarkable Waters” List
In 2008, Japan's Ministry of the Environment selected the Ochiai River and the Minamisawa springs in Higashi-Kurume as one of the country's 100 remarkable waters. It is the only site in Tokyo on that list. About 10,000 tonnes of spring water rise here every day, so the river stays shallow, cool and clear all year. You can see fish from the path, and herons, ducks and, with luck, a kingfisher feed along the banks. In summer, local children play in the water. Just 25 minutes from Ikebukuro, few visitors know it exists.

Where the Water Comes From: Minamisawa Springs and Hikawa Shrine
We also visit the protected Minamisawa green area, where the spring water comes out of the ground and runs as a small stream past Minamisawa Hikawa Shrine, the local guardian shrine. I will explain how the Musashino plateau stores rain and releases it here as spring water.

A Short Stop at Chikurin Park
About 10 minutes on foot from the station, we step into Chikurin Park, a small hillside grove of about 2,000 moso bamboo with its own spring at the bottom of the slope.

Route
Higashi-Kurume Station, Chikurin Park, Minamisawa springs and Hikawa Shrine, then a long walk along the Ochiai River back to the station, where the walk-only option ends.

Option: Finish with a Hot Spring Soak
With the bath option, we take a short bus ride from the station to Spadium Japon, one of the largest hot spring bath complexes in the Tokyo area. I will show you the swimming etiquette step by step, then you can relax in the open-air baths, carbonated baths and saunas. Towels and amenities are available on site.

This Tour is Perfect For

• Travellers who want to see a quiet, local side of Tokyo
• Nature lovers and photographers
• Families (walk-only option, all ages welcome)
• Anyone curious about Japanese bath culture (bath option)