Sightseeing Spots

Okegawajuku, home to cultural properties such as Takemura Ryokan (former Hatago) and the residences of the Shimamura and Kobayashi families, is reminiscent of the past Nakasendo post town. The safflower, Okegawa's specialty, brought wealth and culture to Okegawajuku, and can be seen at the Okegawa Inari Shrine on the stone lanterns donated by safflower merchants.

As spring approaches, the Asian fawn lily blooms throughout the mountains and forests of the Tsuburata district. The area is bustling with hikers during the peak bloom season of late March to early April.

The Hachimanyama Kofun (Mount Hachiman megalith tomb) in Gyoda City is the main tomb of the group of Wakakodama tombs found in this area. Restored in 1981, it is estimated to have been built in the 7th century and has a diameter of 80 meters. The “Urushi Nuri Mokkan" (lacquered wooden casket) was excavated from the stone hut in almost perfect condition, with those buried inside assumed to have been people of power. It is called “Kanto-no-Ishibutai" (the stone stage of Kanto) because it is similar to the Ishibutai Kofun (stone stage tomb) at Asukamura of Nara Prefecture.

This black water (kuro-yu) hot spring, distinct to the Kanto area, is located along the National Route 4 bypass. In addition to the hot spring baths flowing directly from the source, you can enjoy jet baths, salt saunas, high-temperature saunas, medicated baths and utaseyu (striking water baths).

Henjoin Temple was founded in 1394 during the Muromachi period Oei Era (1394). The main deity of the temple is the Great Sage Fudo Myoo. He is believed to take the form of pure anger in order to guide those whose sins are so deep that they can't be brought on the right path in any other way. He is worshipped as a Buddha who fulfills wishes, prevents disasters, and provides wealth.

Anrakuji Temple is the 11th temple of the Bandō 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (Bandō Sanjūsankasho) and has been known as Yoshimi Kannon since ancient times. The main deity is the Holy Avalokitesvara, the deity of compassion, and according to the Yoshimi Kannon dependent origination (Buddhist doctrine), the origin of the temple dates back to about 1200 years ago, when the Buddhist priest Gyoki carved a statue of Avalokitesvara and placed in the rock cave. Every year on June 18th, the Kannon is unveiled in the early morning to the public to ward off evil spirits. Special "Yakuwake Dango" (dumplings to ward off evil) have been sold on this day since long ago, and the long road to Anrakuji Temple continues to be lined with stalls every June 18th, with the area very crowded from around 2 am to early morning.

"Musenyama, KDDI Forest" is number thirteen of the fourteen designated Green Trust Conservation sites in Saitama. Located on the eastern edge of Ōmiya Plateau, the area consists mainly of jolcham oak and other deciduous broad-leaved trees. On the west side, there is also a row of Yoshino cherry blossom trees that attract many people in the spring. There was once a station for wireless transmission belonging to KDDI Corporation located here. As a result, the mountain area was nicknamed "Musenyama" (the wireless mountain), by locals.

This field of spider lilies was planted on the banks of the Karasu River by local volunteers. The carpet of red flowers blooms along the Karasu River in autumn, with Mt. Haruna and the clear blue sky providing the backdrop for a spectacular view.

This small, charming hill of approximately 4 hectares has been maintained by local residents and volunteers as a gathering place to watch flowers bloom. Visitors can enjoy a carpet of greenery and mainly white flowers like out of a fairytale; over 6,000 flowers and trees that change from season to season. The town also collaborated with Musashino Art University for a joint project between government and academia to create three integrated artworks, adding even more charm to the park.

Located right next to the Kamisato Smart IC, this store is packed with fresh produce representative of Kamisato, such as pears, strawberries, corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes. The store is also popular for holding events featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as the Corn Fair, Pear Fair, and Strawberry Fair. In the food court attached to the store there are a local handmade udon noodle restaurant called Kiyanchi and a handmade hamburger steak restaurant with its head office in Sengoku (Tokyo) called Grill K Farms which attract many lunchtime visitors from near and far.

The waters of this hot spring contain no sodium, classifying it as a "simple" alkaline hot spring, a rarity in the Kanto region. The color of the water is dark brown but sparkles gold when hit by sunlight. Soaking in the hot spring will make your skin smooth, and you are guaranteed to have a relaxing time.

Enjoy natural hot spring open-air baths and Ganban yoku (hot stone baths) made from black silica, just a few of the ten unique baths prepared to wash your fatigue away. Enjoy a relaxing meal or foot bath surrounded by a traditional townscape that will make you feel like you have traveled back in time. In addition, there are many refreshment rooms for massage and body scrub treatments, allowing for maximum leisure! Enjoy “healing and moisture” to your heart’s content.

From the moment you pass through the Nagaya gate, you will find yourself in an atmosphere of peace and nostalgia in this old traditional house. In the garden, roses are in full bloom, and inside the facility there is a restaurant where visitors can enjoy a meal and a local produce specialty store for buying fresh vegetables. This is the perfect place for a relaxing time.

This flower garden, dedicated to a variety of early-blooming azalea called Rhododendron dilatatum (mitsuba tsutsuji), was born from the cultivation of this piece of mountain forest over a span of 10 years. In early April, roughly 2500 flowers bloom creating a world of stunning floral beauty!

Tokigawa Town, prosperous in local lumber production, is one of the largest producer of wood fixtures in the Kanto region. While our shop focuses on wood fixtures, we also sell furniture, handicrafts and agricultural products made with warmth and care by our master craftspeople. We also accept consultations for made to order wood fixtures and furniture. How about owning your own one-of-a-kind item?

The Center for Environmental Science in Saitama is a core institution of environmental sciences which combines an environmental education center and the national institute for environmental studies in one facility. We offer various exhibitions and events through which local residents can study about the environment. Renovations were completed in 2020, and a new exhibition hall, “Sai Kankan,” has been added. Please come and see the changes for yourself in this eye-catching renewal! The giant theater in Sai Kankan Dome has an enormous screen that fills your entire field of vision. There are two shows: “A Chapter on the Earth’s Environment,” which takes on global environmental issues, and “A Chapter on the Biological Environment,” which views environmental issues through the lens of a dragonfly. There are 42 seats available.

Hatoyama Farm Village Park is a park that is free of charge to enter, surrounded by water and greenery. The park is popular with families and used as a resting spot throughout the year.

In 1970, the “Gogaku Kenshujo Foundation” (village school training institution) was established on the site of the “Japan Agricultural Teachers' School,” founded by Dr. Masahiro Yasuoka in the early Showa period. In 2012, the foundation was officially named the “Foundation for Gogaku Training Institute and Masahiro Yasuoka Memorial Museum” to carry on the tradition of the Japan Agricultural Training School and to promote Gogaku (village schools), as well as to pass on to future generations the much needed teachings and anthropology of Dr. Masahiro Yasuoka.

Hanazono Forest is a sweets theme park modeled after a quiet European mansion, just two minutes away from Hanazono Interchange by car. Baumkuchen, sweets and souvenirs perfect as gifts, cakes and gelato specially selected by pastry chefs, freshly baked bread and outlet products are also available. Enjoy your favorite pastry or bread while strolling in the vast, beautiful rose garden.

As sung in the "Sayama tea picking song," "Shizuoka is for color, Uji is for scent, but Sayama's flavor is victorious." Sayama tea is one of Japan's three great tea varieties together with Shizuoka and Uji. At Miyanoen, you can experience Sayama tea hands-on through different workshops. In the tea picking experience, you can don the typical red apron (paid rental), pick and drink tea, try tea leaf tempura, and enjoy matcha art. This is a place to truly enjoy Sayama tea and Japanese tea culture.

Located right by the Kamisato Smart IC for great accessibility. You can shop for seasonal fruits and vegetables, western and Japanese sweets, and even experience harvesting the fruits and vegetables yourself! Look forward to further developments from Kamisato Town as a center of tourism!

Overlooking the Toki River to the south is the historic castle ruins site "Sugaya Yakata" (designated a national historic site), said to be where samurai warlord Hatakeyama Shigetada built his mansion in the early Kamakura period (1185-1333), and inside of which exists a museum dedicated to the historic remains of Ranzan Town. The area is also known for its native Mountain Lily (yamayuri), in peak bloom in July. There are also plum and cherry trees. Ranzan Town is home to two of Japan's 100 most famous castles, and together with "Sugiyama Castle," "Sugaya Yakata" was selected for this honor on April 6th, 2017.

Your tour of the Chichibu region and nature-filled Yokoze starts here! Find out more about tourist destinations, seek out new flavors, and find all the information you need for restaurants and lodging. It's an information office full of vibrant energy ♪ There are also rental cycles and Mt. Buko goods for sale, so please feel free to stop by!

The Sakado City Historic Folk Museum was opened in October of 1980 as part of a municipal commemorative project with the aim of contributing to the development of education, learning, and culture. The building is a reconstructed and repaired portion of the former Suguro Elementary School building, and displays archaeological artifacts excavated from ruins found in the city, as well as folk materials collected from each region. The many folk tools on display are the witnesses of history; representing the wisdom gathered by local predecessors after years of cherished use, while also demonstrating the lifestyle at that time. In addition, archaeological artifacts such as the Haniwa human clay figures excavated from the Kitamine Kofun tombs and roof tiles from the ancient abandoned Suguro Temple, are materials representing Sakado City. In addition to permanent exhibits of these materials, the museum also holds special exhibits of folk tools.