Sightseeing Spots

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).

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.

Located only a 5-minute walk from Yoshikawaminami Station on the JR Musashino Line, this is the largest park in Yoshikawa City. From Miharashi Hill, you can see the adjacent pond and multipurpose plaza. There is also a playground with a variety of equipment which can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

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☆

Around 200 flowers bloom here during peak season. Based on analysis, this is an ancient variety of the lotus flower, and while the exact age cannot be determined, it is estimated to be a variety from the Heian period, around 1,200 years ago. The best time to see them is around early to late July, when the flowers begin to bloom at around 5AM. Since the pond is located in the middle of a residential area, please keep quiet when visiting.

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.

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.

Strawberry picking is available from January to May, grape picking from August to October, and sweet potato digging from September to October. You can also enjoy a barbeque along with seasonal fruit picking with a reservation. For larger groups, please contact us at least seven days in advance for reservations. When making a reservation, please note that harvest conditions may vary depending on weather and other factors. Please contact us in advance to inquire about harvest conditions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 facility, marked by its unique outer appearance, is a comprehensive learning facility with a planetarium, astronomical observation room, large-screen displays, hands-on learning rooms and workshops. There is also an attached restaurant, farmers market and the Ukino Miso processing facility. The planetarium was renovated and reopened on March 22nd, 2015. It features the latest monocular ultra-high resolution 8K-compatible digital projector, that can project realistic and powerful images of the starry skies and outer space, giving hope and excitement to people of all ages.

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.

There are many exhibits that tell the history of Konosu Town as well as hina dolls and akamono dolls, a warehouse built in the Meiji period (designated as an important building of Saitama Prefecture's landscape), and a stage decorated with mosaic art. The museum also provides sightseeing information and sells local specialties. Make sure to stop by for an enjoyable time!

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.

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!

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!

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.

At Umesono, you can buy products made from Ogose's local specialties, ume (plum) and yuzu (Japanese citrus). The central location makes it a popular resting place for hikers and other travelers.

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.

Free rental bicycles are available at the Number 1 Bicycle Parking Lot, only a two-minute walk from the Yoshikawa Station North Exit on the JR Musashino Line. Feel free to use them to explore the city!