Chichibu Miocene exposures (Saitama, Japan)
The Chichibu basin west of Tokyo exposes the middle-Miocene Chichibumachi Formation, the most accessible Asian site for shark teeth — including occasional megalodon. Best engaged via the Saitama Museum of Natural History and its public field walks; private quarry access is not allowed.
Join a Saitama Museum-led field workshop, or visit the museum's reference exhibit before walking the public outcrops along the Arakawa River. Surface finds only; report significant material.
~2 hr by train from central Tokyo (Seibu-Chichibu line). The Saitama Museum of Natural History in Nagatoro is the visitor base.
Japan protects significant fossils as regional cultural property. Surface collecting on public land is generally tolerated; quarry access requires owner permission.
- Arakawa River currents after rain
- Steep gorge sections (Nagatoro)
- Bear sightings in upper reaches
- Combine with a Nagatoro Gorge boat ride — same outcrops from the river
- Spring (cherry blossom) and autumn are the comfortable seasons
- Museum bilingual signage; English tours by request
Shark teeth findable here
Trophy = headline find · Rare = real score · Uncommon = some trips · Common = most trips.
Also findable here
The beachcomber's bonus round — what else the geology gives up.
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