Immerse Yourself in Nature and History with a Full-Day Gyoda Tour!

“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.

Gyōdahachiman Shrine is called “Fūji-no-miya (Palace of Sealing)” due to its secret method of praying which helps children sleep, prevents nervousness, cancer, diseases, bad habits, and dementia for the elderly. In the precincts, there is a “shrine of the eyes”, Kasamori Inari Shrine, for the god of eczema and beautiful skin, along with “Okuninushi Shrine” that enshrines Oshi Castle’s 7 lucky gods. Recently, “nade momo” is said to be a place for spiritual energy, and is famous for the god of fencing off suffering from illness and misfortune.

Built in 1917 (Taisho 6), Gyoda's largest and most unusual Tabi Shoes factory with a saw-toothed roof. It is a long-established Tabi Shoes manufacturer that has inherited the beauty, tradition, and technology of the wooden Western-style architecture from the time of its founding. *Only the exterior of the factory is open to the public.

This stylish Soba restaurant with an outstanding modern Japanese atmosphere was built by remodeling a large earthenware storehouse Tabi Warehouse constructed from the Taisho to the early Showa periods (1912-1945). In the storehouse made of natural materials, you can enjoy authentic handmade Soba noodles and dishes made of carefully selected ingredients based on the concept of "delicious for the body".

The Gyoda Honten is marked by a 100-year-old Edo style warehouse! (1603 and 1868 Period) It offers a wide variety of products including "Jumangoku Manju," a favorite of the people of Saitama Prefecture.

Embark on a unique adventure as you craft Hana Chozu, Water Basin Flower Arrangements, at Oshijo Castle in Gyoda-shi City, a location celebrated in novels and movies. Choose your favorite flowers to create a personalized masterpiece and capture a memorable photo with your creation! Join us for this exclusive experience, tailored to our unique setting. English-speaking guides are available for our international guests.

A fashion item that adorns the feet of Japanese kimonos is the traditional Japanese tabi sock Shoes. Gyoda has a history of about 300 years, and is the most active town in Japan in Tabi Shoes production. Usually, plain white ones are the norm. But Musashino Uniform is famous for making unique and exciting Tabi Shoes that match modern fashion. Learn the history of Gyoda Tabi Shoes at Musashino Uniform, experience making your own Tabi Shoes, and choose your favorite Samurai-tabi and Yukata! Take a commemorative photo at Oshijo Castle or Sakitama Ancient Tomb Park, the symbol of Gyoda City. You can take home the SAMURAITABI of your choice as a souvenir. The product of the Tabi Shoes making experience will be mailed to you at a later date after the craftsman has finished the final touches as the world's only pair of Tabi Shoes.　　　 Schedule ; 9:00 AM　Gather at Kumagaya Station (meet the interpreter guide), transfer by chartered cab 9:20 AM　Arrive at Musashino Uniforms, receive guidance on how to make Gyoda Tabi Shoes (20 minutes), experience finishing Tabi Shoes (15 minutes), experience making your own Tabi Shoes (30 minutes), experience wearing SAMURAITABI and Yukata (25 minutes) 11:00 AM　SAMURAITABI and yukata wearing, enjoy walking around the city [Oshijo Castle, Sakitama Old Park, Gyoda Hachiman Shrine, etc.] at the place of your choice and take a commemorative photo 1:00 PM　Arrive at Kumagaya Station

From mid-June to early August, 12,000 stocks of 42 different types of lotus flowers bloom on the surface of the lotus pond. The Gyōda lotus (ancient lotus) takes a primitive form with the number of petals being few; it is said to be a lotus from about 1,400 to 3,000 years ago. Lotus flowers are best-viewed midmorning. There are botanical gardens for aquatic plants, lakes for aquatic birds, peony gardens, ume gardens, and a hanami place with sakura trees, making it a place where one can feel the beauty of nature all year round. In addition, from mid-July to mid-October, rice paddy art is at its prime and can be viewed from the Ancient Lotus Hall’s Observation Room. The rice paddy art of Gyōda City started in 2008, with rice transplanting taking place yearly due to several volunteers and participants; not only are the designs original, but some have been collaborations with movies, TV shows, games. In 2015 it has been recorded in the Guinness World Records due to the area of the art being “the world’s largest (rice paddy art)”.