神社に自然…年配の方を中心に人気だった埼玉・秩父に今、若者が急増！？ある商店街が“レトロ”で味がある！若者にささったワケとは？｜TBS NEWS DIG

Chichibu City, located in the mountainous region of Saitama Prefecture, is popular for its abundant nature. However, the city center, which had previously undergone little redevelopment or tourism development, is now seeing a surge in visits from younger generations. What's the reason for this surprising popularity, even surprising city officials? Today, a long line formed at the ropeway station in Nagatoro Town, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture. Everyone's destination was… Reporter: "Look! A spectacular view unfolds before us!" A terrace offering magnificent views of Chichibu. Since its opening last July, it has become a hugely popular spot. 20s: "Wow, the view is amazing. I searched for Nagatoro's specialties and delicious food on Instagram and this place came up, so I wanted to go." The adjoining restaurant also offers pyramid-shaped rice balls inspired by Mt. Hodosan in Chichibu. Chichibu Railway Tourism Division, Shiho Takita: "We're seeing a lot of young women and couples." It's just a 77-minute express train ride from central Tokyo. Chichibu in western Saitama Prefecture is an affordable and easily accessible destination, with an adult fare of only 1700 yen. While it has traditionally been a popular area, mainly among older generations, it's now experiencing a surge in younger visitors, particularly around a certain spot. That spot is… 20s "The townscape has a cute, retro feel." "You don't see this much in Tokyo." 20s "It has a retro feel! The whole town is adorable, and just walking around is so much fun." The Banba-dori Shopping Street, located about a 5-minute walk from Seibu Chichibu Station, is gaining attention for its cobblestone street leading to Chichibu Shrine, offering a delightful retro atmosphere. "This building is so cute!" The Koike Tobacco Shop, a two-story wooden building built in the early Showa period, now operates as a cafe. Furthermore… "So retro. Is this Paris?" A woman on a day trip from Tokyo chose Paris Shokudo, a long-established restaurant with over 100 years of history and a popular queue, for lunch. This restaurant, which is also designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural property, is popular for its old-fashioned omurice (rice wrapped in an omelet) made with ketchup rice. It comes with pudding and melon soda for 2200 yen. A 20-something on a day trip to Chichibu: "Since I was born in the Heisei era, I don't know if these kinds of dishes really existed in the Showa era, so I feel like I'm really experiencing the Showa era, the retro." Furthermore, on Banba Street, many young people were seen at a shop selling Chichibu's local specialty, "Miso Potato," which consists of fried potatoes topped with homemade miso. Fukushima-san, owner of Shokusai Chichibu Jinjinbaa: "Before, people would share it, but since around last summer, it's become like one Miso Potato per person, or 10 people would order 10. They even take pictures with the shop, which makes me very happy." According to a survey by a private company, the number of people in their 20s visiting Chichibu City in January of this year increased by approximately 20% compared to the same period last year, and among women in their 20s, the increase was approximately 60%. A shop selling overseas goods offers custom-made keychains, and last summer, there was a three-hour wait, mainly for young women. Regarding these changes, a city official commented… Manabu Nakajima, Head of Tourism Division, Industry and Tourism Department, Chichibu City Hall: "Many people come to Chichibu, and they themselves post on social media like TikTok and Instagram. (People who see these posts) want to go to the same places, take pictures in the same locations, and so it spread rapidly among young people, leading to the current situation. We are also working hard to update our Instagram account and do our best to attract even more tourists." ▼TBS NEWS DIG Official Website: https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/ ▼Please subscribe to our channel!    / @tbsnewsdig   ▼Submit information here: "TBS Insiders" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/tbs-ins... ▼Submit video here: "TBS Scoop Submission" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/toukou.... #news #TBS #newsdig