Icicles of Misotsuchi (Misotsuchi no Tsurara)

I've always wanted to go to Chichibu, Saitama because of two reasons: first, I want to hike up Mt. Chichibu and second, I want to see the Shibazakuras in spring. But then, I came across with an article about Misotsuchi no Tsurara, also located in Chichibu, which "sparked joy" lol at my #KonMari reference~ And so around this time two years ago, I went... with the beau of course! *hurrah*

Edit: I've had this in my drafts for what seems like forever... but thanks to it, I won't struggle remembering the details~

So, let's start, shall we?

Set the alarm a little early on a Saturday morning to catch the trains to Mitsumineguchi Station, the nearest one to Misotsuchi no Tsurara. Yes, trains. We needed to do three train line transfers from what I remember, so just a tip, know your train route beforehand. :)

As if a few train line transfers were not enough... there's more haha! From Mitsumineguchi Station, we rode the bus to reach Misotsuchi no Tsurara. Buses to our destination come infrequently. We arrived at Mistumineguchi Station at around 11 o'clock in the morning and had to wait for the 12:40PM bus bound for Mitsumine Shrine and get off at Misoba stop, which should take us 30 minutes. 

Unfortunately, my beau and I weren't able to get off at the said stop cos we were waiting to get off at a rather non-existent stop: Sanjuba stop. Before this trip, we've researched for tips re: Misotsuchi no Tsurara and according to a few blog posts, Sanjuba is the nearest stop. Little did we know that there's no Sanjuba stop, only Misoba stop. Probably a Kanji mix-up... so yeah. Remember, it's Misoba stop lol!

Because of the mishap of not being able to get off at the right bus stop, we were able to reach the last of all the stops the bus we're on had: Mitsumineguchi Shrine ー a shrine on top of Mt. Mitsumineguchi, which was about 30 minutes away from our intended destination. That looooong~

Imagine how pissed off I was, not to mention how hungry I was cos we didn't get to eat lunch (Mitsumineguchi Station has one or two restaurants around but unfortunately those were closed when we got there). So we decided to eat lunch in one of the restaurants near the shrine's entrance and take a few photos around as we wait for the next bus bound back to Mitsumineguchi Station, with Misoba being one of the stops before reaching it.

And yeah, after less than an hour, we finally made it to Misotsuchi no Tsurara! It is located in the confines of Wood Roof Camp, so when you get off at Misoba stop, you need to follow the road to Wood Roof Camp. There are arrows on the road leading you to the place, so don't worry. :)

Ahhhhhhhhhh finally what I went here for~

When we got tired of taking pictures plus our fingers and toes were already numb from the cold (despite the two coats I have on), we walked up to the entrance where a cafe sits. They offer coffee, cakes, and other light treats on sticks (which I don't have any idea of). Ordered coffee and cheesecake. Normal taste, nothing special, only that the cups and saucers had Peter Rabbit characters on it. I'll admit that made me smile- Peter Rabbit was one of my childhood besties sooo~

At exactly 5PM, Misotsuchi no Tsurara lighted up in different colours! Yup, we stayed for the illuminations even though the last bus leaves the place at around 5PM and we don't know how to go back to Mitsumineguchi Station except for a taxi company's number saved on my phone. Nevertheless, we still were amazed  by the light show! It was great! It would have been greater if some music accompanied it~

(watch in HD *wink*)

After our eyes finished feasting over the greatness that is Misotsuchi no Tsurara, we decided to head home but to our dismay, the taxi company that we called said no taxi driver could pick us up cos there's  a traffic jam in the area. We were thinking of staying the night there and so we started to look for some airbnbs or ryokans in the area but to another dismay, we found none. 

We were on the verge of playing dead hahahahaha but the beau thought of asking the guards near the cafe if they know other ways of going back to Mitsumineguchi Station and yessssss they did! They said if we run, yes ruuuuun asap, we might be able to catch the last bus at Misoba stop (which should have been gone at 5PM) cos it was caught in the said traffic jam, too! 

And so we ran like we were running for our lives in high hopes that we'll make it. It was the scariest run of mine so far cos it's dark with only the headlights of the cars on our sides and those coming towards us guiding us, plus there is a lack of walking space- I was literally rubbing elbows with the cars on the road! Geez! Good thing we got to Misoba stop with our body parts still intact and zero wounds haha! And after a few minutes, the miracle of miracles came! The bussss!!!!! *hurrah* The end.

What an adventure! Or a misadventure at that! Nevertheless, I'm glad I went to see Misotsuchi no Tsurara even once in this lifetime~ You should go and see it, too! Just make sure you don't make the same mistakes as us -- maybe bring a car and remember, it's Misoba stop. *wink*

Details
Misotsuchi no Tsurara
4066 Otaki, Chichibu, Saitama-ken 369-1901
Hours: From 9AM onwards, Light-up at 5PM
Nearest Station: Mitsumineguchi Station, ride the bus bound to Mitsumine Shrine, and get off at Misoba Stop