I Looked Into PICA Chichibu

I've been doing a series looking into glamping facilities in the Chichibu and Nagatoro area, focusing on places that even I, without a car, might be able to get to.

This time I looked into PICA Chichibu. Apparently it's located inside a large park called Chichibu Muse Park, and it seems to have an on-site bathing facility as well. Since I'm more of an indoor type, I was curious about the bathing setup, so I went through and checked everything.

The Short Version

All cottages come with flush toilets, and guests can apparently also use the on-site bathing facility, Juon no Yu, so overall it seemed like the facilities would make for a comfortable stay.
That said, the Rakuten Mobile signal came out with a C rating, which doesn't seem particularly great.

I've summarized the details below.

I Looked Into What Kind of Facility PICA Chichibu Is

PICA Chichibu appears to be a glamping cottage facility located within Chichibu Muse Park in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture. It seems to operate year-round, with closed days mainly set on Wednesdays and Thursdays, though it apparently stays open during busy seasons and holidays.

Check-in is apparently from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and check-out from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Rates seem to range widely, from around 8,500 to 25,000 yen per adult for one night with two meals included, varying depending on the cottage type, number of guests, season, and meal plan. Reservations can be made through the official website's booking system, as well as through travel booking sites like Rakuten Travel, and it seems phone reservations are also possible.

Operating period: Year-round (closed mainly on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but open during busy seasons and holidays)
Check-in / Check-out: 3:00 PM–7:00 PM / 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
Approximate rates: Around 8,500–25,000 yen per adult for one night with two meals (tax included, subject to change)
Booking methods: Official website booking system, travel booking sites such as Rakuten Travel, phone reservations also available

Komorin

It felt refreshing to learn there's a camping facility inside a park. It seems like there are nature trails around too, so it sounds great for people who enjoy walking.

All Cottages Have Flush Toilets: Checking the Facilities That Matter to an Indoor Type Like Me

For someone like me who leans toward the indoor type, the first thing I want to check is always the plumbing situation. At PICA Chichibu, every cottage apparently comes with its own flush toilet, which seems like one reassuring point to keep in mind.

Every room apparently has air conditioning, and some cottages even come with underfloor heating. Showers are included inside the rooms, but many cottages don't have a bathtub, and it seems the setup is designed so that guests who want to soak in a proper bath use the on-site bathing facility instead. Bedding seems to be provided per guest, either as beds or as a mat plus sleeping bag or futon set.

Toilet: Every cottage has its own flush toilet
Power outlets: Available throughout each room
Air conditioning/heating: Included in every room (some with underfloor heating)
Bathing: Showers only inside the room; use the on-site bathing facility for a proper bath
Other amenities: Refrigerator, electric kettle, TV, hair dryer, face towels and bath towels, and a BBQ grill on a covered terrace
Wi-Fi: No free Wi-Fi inside the rooms, though it seems mobile signal is said to reach the area

The site apparently has an attached bathing facility called Juon no Yu, and guests staying overnight can apparently use it free of charge, including towel rental. It seems to have a large communal bath and a sauna as well, so it looks like guests could enjoy a different kind of experience than a typical tent stay. That said, opening hours and closure information may change depending on the season, so it seems wise to check the official website for the latest details before actually visiting.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

When I checked this facility's location using the official "My Area Coverage Simulation" tool, the overall rating came out as "C."

As for the rating, it seems like signal conditions could vary depending on the exact spot. The official site does mention that mobile signal reaches the area, but whether the connection feels comfortable enough to use might depend on the building and surrounding environment. If you're planning to rely on your smartphone for communication, it might be reassuring to check in advance.

Komorin

A C rating is a bit of a worrying result. If it were me, I might prepare some books or music I can enjoy offline ahead of time.

See Rakuten Mobile Details

Checking Out Nearby Attractions, Hot Springs, and Roadside Stations

PICA Chichibu appears to be adjacent to Forest Adventure Chichibu, and there seem to be several spots scattered throughout the park that you can enjoy without even leaving the grounds, such as an observation deck and Sky Road, a path lined with ginkgo trees. If you venture out a bit further, Chichibu Shrine and Hitsujiyama Park's Shibazakura Hill are apparently about 15 minutes away by car, while the rock formations and river rafting in the Nagatoro area are around 30 minutes by car.

For hot springs, Seibu-Chichibu Station's Matsuri no Yu is apparently about 15 minutes away by car, and for roadside stations, Roadside Station Chichibu is also around 15 minutes away by car. Since I don't drive, I'd need to check in advance whether taxis or shuttle services are available, but it seems like there are plenty of nearby spots worth stopping by.

Attractions: Forest Adventure Chichibu (adjacent), Chichibu Shrine (15 min by car), Hitsujiyama Park / Shibazakura Hill (15 min by car), Nagatoro area (30 min by car), Mitsumine Shrine (50 min to 1 hour by car)
Hot springs: Seibu-Chichibu Station Matsuri no Yu (15 min by car), Araki Kosen (20 min by car), Chichibu Onsen Mangan no Yu (25 min by car)
Roadside stations: Roadside Station Chichibu (15 min by car), Roadside Station Arakawa (20 min by car), Roadside Station Ryusei Kaikan (20 min by car), Roadside Station Minano (25 min by car), Roadside Station Otaki Onsen (35 min by car)

Wrapping Up

To sum up, my impression of PICA Chichibu was that its main appeal is the comfort of having flush toilets in every cottage plus access to the on-site bathing facility. Its location inside a park is also an interesting point, since it seems to open up plenty of options for exploring the surrounding area.

On the other hand, the Rakuten Mobile signal came out with a C rating, so if a reliable connection matters to you, it might be reassuring to check with the official Rakuten Mobile tool beforehand.

Check Out Rakuten Mobile

This article includes a referral link for Rakuten Mobile's employee referral campaign. For details, please see our Disclaimer & Advertising Notice.