Chichibu's Three Great Ice Columns Light Up: Private Jumbo Taxi | Enjoy the Night View Without Worrying About the End of the Bus Ride

"I want to see the illuminated ice pillar for once." Six friends set out for winter Chichibu, saying so. But as soon as they started checking the timetable, everyone's hands stopped. Ashigakubo, Chokutsu, and Onoine are surprisingly far apart, and taking the train and bus would mean almost no night trains — so in this article, we'll introduce a model itinerary for a day trip to Chichibu with illuminated ice pillars, where a group of four to nine people can travel comfortably in a private jumbo taxi.

What are the three biggest ice pillars in Chichibu? The real show is at night, but the "feet" are a problem

The "Chichibu Three Ice Pillars" are the quintessential winter sights of Chichibu. These are ice formations created by pouring water artificially into the valleys and streams and growing them in the harsh winter cold. They are usually unveiled from around the beginning of January to the end of February each year (the opening period and lighting schedule for the 2027 season are subject to change; please check with each facility before visiting).

The three main ice pillars each have their own distinct location, appearance, and features. Moreover, they are scattered across a wide area in Yokose Town, Takachiho City, and Koshino Town. Therefore, if you try to cram too many things into one place—including the most beautiful nighttime lighting—the journey will become much more difficult.

In all three locations, either the place where you get on or the place where you get off is in Yokose-cho, Chichibu City, or Koshino-cho, Chichibu County — both of which are within the coverage area of our service. From areas in Saitama or Tokyo where you live, you can travel directly there without changing trains.

Why is the night ice pillar tour so difficult when you only travel by train and bus?

Of course, it’s not impossible to get around by public transportation. Asashi-kubo is close to the station, and buses also run to Oinousa and Sotokuchi from the Seibu Chichibu station. If you plan to visit just one place during the day, you can still have plenty of fun by taking the train or bus.

What becomes more difficult is when you want to visit three places at once and want to see the nighttime lighting, which is the highlight of the trip. To give you an idea of the common problems that can arise when traveling with a group of friends, here are some examples:

Waiting in the valley at minus temperatures for the next bus for 30 minutes or an hour after dark is more difficult than you might imagine. Even with a heavy coat on, I was reluctant to even touch the timetable app. When the tension of “missing one connection and not being able to go home today” adds to the situation, the precious scenery becomes impossible to enjoy calmly. There is also the option of renting a car, but winter Chichibu is prone to road ice, and driving on unfamiliar snowy roads and the dark mountain roads after the lights are turned on is a considerable burden for the driver.

A one-day model course that takes you on a tour of the three major ice pillar areas by a chartered jumbo taxi

So, what would happen if we rented a jumbo taxi for 4 to 9 people? Since it’s a direct ride from your home, there’s no need to gather or change buses. For example, let’s look at a chronological view of a plan that spans from the bright ice columns in the daytime to the nighttime light show (the duration is a guide; the actual route and length of stay can be customized to your preferences).

1. In the morning, I left from in front of my house:Pick you up at your home in Saitama or Tokyo. We loaded the large camera bag, warm clothes, and other necessary items without any worries, and headed to Chichibu via the Kan-etsu Highway. Since everyone is in the same car, the journey feels like a real vacation from the moment we set off.
2. Warm-up at one location around noon:First, find a spot that is bright enough to take a photo. Look at the difference between the ice columns in the daytime and the way the light hits them at Asagakubo Station, and you’ll see the difference in the night’s beauty.
3. Moving to a second location in the evening:Free from the bus timetable constraints, we took the car to the next valley. As it got colder, we could take a break inside the car, and it was safe for even small children and families with elderly members.
4. After sunset, enjoy the illumination:The moment has finally arrived. Even during the colder hours of the day, when you finish watching the movie, a warm car is waiting right there for you. Instead of saying "Let's finish as soon as possible because it's cold," just enjoy it to your heart's content.
5. At night, I went home straight away:We left without worrying about the last bus or the last train. While traveling, we looked at photos from that day and all of us gathered together until we reached our respective homes.

The driver is a professional with experience driving on local roads. You can entrust them with driving, including on night roads and in winter conditions, so everyone accompanying you can focus on the breathtaking scenery as if they were “guests.”

Important information to know: the three main guidelines for ice pillar tours

As a guide for planning, we have compiled the usual trends. As schedules, times, and prices change each year, please be sure to check the latest information for each facility.

Of course, if it’s just one or two people going to one place, taking the train and bus might be enough. Private charters are especially useful in cases where there are many people, you want to visit multiple ice sculptures, you want to enjoy the nighttime light show, or you have small children or elderly family members. The more of these factors apply, the more comfortable a private charter will be.

Reservation and Inquiry Process

1. Contact:From the web form, please let us know the desired date, number of people, and the ice columns you would like to see.
2. Plan and Estimate:Based on the time of day when the lights are turned on, we will suggest routes and pricing that are not too restrictive.
3. Booking Confirmed:Once you are satisfied with the content, it is final. Season is crowded, so it is best to arrive early.
4. Boarding on the day:We will pick you up at your designated location and head out for a breathtaking tour.

summary

The lighting of the Chichibu Three Ice Columns is a special sight only during winter. However, if you plan to visit Ashigakubo, Tsutsumachi, and Onoine until the evening, you will encounter the barrier of public transportation. For groups of 4 to 9 people or families, take a private jumbo taxi directly from your home and enjoy the most beautiful time without worrying about the cold or the end of the bus. Gather everyone together and take home every memory in one piece.