In fact, Musashi Itsukaichi is not difficult to navigate, as all the important things are located on these two streets.
You can enjoy the natural beauty, visit various historical shrines along the Akigawa Street, and explore the main shopping street, Hinohara Street.

In this tranquil paradise, the options for food may not be plentiful, but each available choice is excellent. Moreover, they are absolutely conspicuous; passing by their storefronts, they exude a majestic presence. That day, my friend and I were immediately drawn to this old shop as we passed by. The entrance exuded a nostalgic charm, and the continuous stream of visitors indicated that it was a must-visit.

The three-color soba noodles I ordered are unique as they include three different types of noodles.
The noodles of different colors offer distinct textures—the white one has the lightest aroma and the finest texture, while the darkest one, besides being thicker, even includes whole buckwheat grains. I don't usually have a strong preference for soba noodles, but this place was so delicious that I immediately headed to the neighboring Sumiya to indulge in more noodles after finishing my meal.

Next to the noodle shop is Sumiya, a 150-year-old establishment with the same noodle-making tradition. However, Sumiya specializes in selling fresh soba noodles only. The variety of soba noodles inside Sumiya is extensive. I have never seen so many flavors of soba noodles before. Although I couldn't understand each one, I wanted to try them all.

A must-visit in Akigawa is taking a leisurely walk along the gorge. The starting point of the walking trail is marked by this prominent sign. Walking along the gorge allows you to visit various historical sites and shrines in Musashi Itsukaichi.

Akiru Shrine, Kotoku-ji Temple, Kogonji Temple... all can be reached along the trail. This trail is beautiful. After doing some online research, I found that autumn is the most rewarding season to explore, as it feels like walking into a painting.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't favorable on that day, and every shrine or temple we visited was closed. After casually wandering around, my friend and I headed straight to the most anticipated spot, the Seoto-no-Yu hot spring.

Located within the rich natural landscapes of the Chichibu Tama Kai National Park, this riverside hot spring in the heart of Tokyo is a hidden paradise that can be reached in just an hour by car. In addition to the basic communal baths for men and women, Seoto-no-Yu also offers private rooms, open-air baths, and even a sauna.

There are meals and even a café, along with a shopping mall where you can choose from a variety of agricultural products. It is the Tsukahiyama of Musashi Itsukaichi.
English is also spoken and understood. Outside, there is even a free foot bath available for use.

Just arrived and got super excited when I saw a red wall! Maybe because of the rain, the festival was a bit small, not quite like what I had imagined. Instead, it felt more like a local residents' night fair, but with an added warmth.

I also had a bowl of soup with an unpronounceable name, filled with a variety of vegetables and pork slices. It was so delicious that I almost wanted to revisit just for that bowl of soup. In addition to the freshly cooked variety of home-style dishes, you can also buy incredibly cheap and delicious fresh vegetables and fruits. The local residents even put on singing and dancing performances, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere. It's a lot of fun. If you want to truly experience Japanese culture, August is a great time to visit Akigawa Gorge.