Sightseeing Spots

A shell midden (refuse mound) from the first half of the Jyōmon period (about 7,000 years ago). At this time in history, the climate was warmer and the ocean was more inland compared to now. The mound mainly consists of the Japanese basket clams that inhabit the brackish waters of the region, but there are also shells of the Japanese littleneck clam, common Orient clam, and blood clam. The mound is located behind the Kannon statue in the fifth temple of the Adachi Bandō pilgrimage route.

This is a unique factory tour facility where you can have fun learning about the world of sweets! You can observe the manufacturing process of Pocky and Pretz up close, learn about chocolate in a fun way, enjoy a quiz tour, see the museum zone where 1500 toys are exhibited, and even take part in a workshop to make your own sweets! This is a spot for not only children but also adults to enjoy through a wide variety of hands-on experiences!

Hana no Oasis (flower oasis) is a park located in the Teraya district, the birthplace of flower production in Konosu. In spring, a tulip festival is held among 40,000 tulips. In autumn, you can enjoy the late-blooming sunflowers.

Saitama prefecture's largest rose garden blooms twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn. The best times to visit are from early May to early June and early October to mid-November. There are over 400 varieties and more than 5000 individual roses in this garden of overwhelming beauty. There is also a garden of hydrangeas that blooms in June. Walk through the park and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere, finding various sport and recreation facilities, waterside areas, playground equipment, large sandpits, and much more, which come together to create a stimulating environment with something for everyone!

This is the main shrine of Konosu City, where the legend of the konotori (stork), also believed to be the origin of the cities name, has been handed down to this day. In 1873, Raiden Shrine, Kumano Shrine, and Hikawa Shrine were combined to form Kou Shrine. At the end of the year, they hold a Tori no Ichi fair (festival celebrating good fortune and business prosperity).

At the Hanayoi Glass Studio run by Tamami Sudo, a glass artist who has had numerous exhibitions at famous department stores, you can try your hand at glass blowing and sandblasting (reservations required). Participants receive careful instructions which are easy for even beginners, and the workshops are popular for making wedding anniversary or children's milestone mementos. The stunning works of Tamami Sudo that are on display in the studio.

This is a long-established rice cracker shop recognized by its large signboard. The cute "namazu sembei (rice cracker)" in the shape of a catfish symbolize Yoshikawa, the home of the catfish, and is a popular souvenir. Another favorite with many repeat customers are the Yoshikawa Chips, made with 100% Yoshikawa-grown rice flour and deep-fried in a secret recipe of soy sauce and vegetable oil. Both products have been certified as premium brands by Yoshikawa City.

From this observation deck located at 370 meters, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Yorii Town and the glittering skyline at night. In September, this place is popular for observing the seasonal hawk migration.

At Namegawa Farmers Market, you can find locally harvested fruits and vegetables for sale. We recommend the freshly polished-to-order white rice, cucumbers, eggplant, daikon radishes and other seasonal items alongside an endless supply of fresh vegetables, popular with many customers. We also hold special events such as corn festival, new rice festival, and agricultural festival, and sell specialties such as Polotan (chestnut variety) and Bushu Koro persimmon.

A park born from a conversation between the city mayor and a young participant of a Coming of Age Ceremony, it features a skate park, basketball court and an outdoor stage, making it rare within the prefecture. During heavy rain, the park becomes a regulation pond to reduce flood damage to nearby houses.

A shop that sells handmade soba made from 100% local buckwheat flour. They also use ingredients which are grown pesticide free or use 50% lower pesticides certified by the prefecture. Izumi-tei offers dishes made from ingredients at the peak of freshness and cultivated with the highest level of safety. Soba making experiences are also available with a reservation.

You can experience indigo dyeing, choosing between a handkerchief or bringing in a small item of your own! Dyeing experience participants are also free to visit the adjoined archive museum.

This strawberry farm is located in the peaceful landscape of Ashigakubo in Chichibu. Located on a hill, the view is fantastic! Please enjoy the sweet and juicy strawberries grown in our carefully maintained soil☆

Yoshimi Town is dotted with man-made swamps, which are reservoirs built for rice paddy cultivation. Lake Hatcho is one such man-made swamp with an area of about 52,000 square meters. The kanji character for "Ha" can mean both "eight" and "many." Since several "eights" together has a catchy sound, there are historical expressions in the Japanese language which repeat the number eight to mean "many," such as "happyaku yacho" (many towns in Edo) or "happyaku yabashi" (many bridges in Osaka). Lake Hatcho used to be called "Hatcho Hattan no Numa" (one town block and 8,000 sq.meters) as a play on these expressions, but since the surface area of the lake isn't technically that big, this name isn't in use anymore.

Doukan Omotenashi (hospitality) Plaza provides information on Ogose Town tourist attractions, historical sites, hiking trails, cherry blossom forecasts, and specialty products. Be sure to stop by when visiting Ogose Town!

Located at the Yoshikawa Station North Exit on the JR Musashino Line, Rappi-Land offers many goods and souvenirs pertaining to Yoshikawa City, the home of the catfish. There is a wide variety of Japanese sweets such as manjyu, dorayaki, monaka, senbei, and even locally produced cola. You will even be greeted by a real catfish! The shop also serves as a tourist information center, so please stop by when you come to Yoshikawa.

You can enjoy fruit picking and tasting at this sunny farm located on a south-facing slope. A spectacular view of Mt. Bukō is right in front of you! As a health precaution, we ask that visitors wear a mask and disinfect their hands.

This single-floor wooden house, built using the 'Sukiya' architectural style, has been praised and written about by the Japanese literature researcher Donald Keene. The facility now serves as a place to introduce the Sōka area's culture of tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and classical instruments such as koto and shamisen. Furthermore, the facility is also open as a resting area where visitors can enjoy a cup of tea for a small fee.

This monument of a golden catfish, the symbol of Yoshikawa City, is proudly displayed in the Yoshikawa Station South Exit rotary on the JR Musashino Line. It welcomes visitors to Yoshikawa City, which promotes itself as the "home of the catfish." It was created by Kazumi Murose, a lacquer artist considered a "national living treasure," and was installed on May 9th, 1995.

Surrounded by splendid nature, this is a factory where you can build canoes with the local Nishikawa timber. You can also rent canoes and try them out before building your own. Or just stop by if you're simply looking to have some fun in the river!

In the rural moutain village satoyama of Ishizaka no Mori, you'll be surrounded by lush nature. Visited by many as a place for finding health and purpose, one can gain a deeper understanding of ecosystems and nature conservation. Be the first to experience the new face of rural Japan, in the satoyama of Ishizaka no Mori.

This historical shrine is said to have been founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin in 849 (Kashō 2). Goshuin (red seal stamps) are also available for visitors.

The dam constructed on the Arakawa River in Yorii Town is called the "Tamayodo Dam," and the artificial lake created by the Tamayodo Dam is known as “Lake Tamayodo (Tamayodoko).” Visitors can enjoy activities such as canoeing and rafting on this peaceful lake known for its highly transparent water and surrounded by forest. It is also a famous spot for autumn leaves in Yorii Town.

Aketo Farmers Market is a direct sales market founded by investments from local farmers who wished to provide fresh vegetables from the production center of "Fukaya" directly to consumers, and is operated by Aketo Farmers' Market Ltd. They sell local agricultural products and processed goods which are manufactured using local ingredients.