Saitama History Course

Menuma Shōdenzan is known to be one of Japan’s three Shōten and is said to bring success, health to the family, fortune, and scholarly achievements, and many other benefits such as matrimony. In 2012, the main shrine of Menuma Shōdenzan “Kangiin Shōtendou” was designated as a national treasure thanks to its highly skilled carvings, modern decorative architecture, and because it was built from donations by the public. Throughout the year, events such as the annual grand festival and Setsubun festivals take place during the spring and autumn.

Oshi Castle has been counted as one of the 7 famous castles in the Kanto region; it was built in the civilization years of the Muromachi period. It is known as an “Uki-jō (Floating Castle)” as it is said to have endured the flooding of Ishida Mitsunari during Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s suppression of Kanto. This story has been modeled for the movie “Nobō-no-Shiro (The Floating Castle)”. As of now, it has been listed as one of the 100 famous Japanese castles. The “Oshijyō Gosankaiyagura (Oshi Castle Three Story Turret)” was torn down during the Meiji period and was rebuilt in 1988, with the inside being an exhibition room of the local museum; the whole view of the city can be seen on the top floor.

“Tabi to Kurashi (Tabi and Life’s) Museum” was originally a factory of tabi socks delivering to tabi stores under the name Bokuya Honten (Main Branch), however, most of the factory’s appearance was kept and was reborn as a museum. At the museum, demonstrations by individuals who used to be tabi craftsmen can be seen, and your own original tabi (additional cost) can be made every second Sunday of the month.

Sakitama Kofun Park is home to 9 large "kofuns", megalithic tombs where, among other things, the national treasure "Inariyama burial-mound sword" was excavated. You can also see the largest kofun in Japan, "Maruhaka yama kofun" here, which also serves as a great cherry blossom spot. Gyoda City, where the park is located, is also known as the origin of Saitama prefecture's name, and you can see the stone monument celebrating this in the park.