Sightseeing Spots

In 1970, the Gogaku Kenshujo (lit. village school training institution) Foundation was established on the site of the former Japan Farmers' School founded by Dr. Masahiro Yasuoka in the early Showa period. In 2012, the official name of the foundation was changed to "Gogaku Kenshujo / Yasuoka Masahiro Memorial Museum," and it has been working to promote Gogaku (the study of the countryside) and to pass on to future generations the teachings and anthropology of Dr. Yasuoka Masahiro, which are needed in this day and age, while continuing the tradition of the Japan Agricultural School.

Surrounded by splendid nature, this is a factory where you can build canoes with the local Nishikawa timber. You can also rent canoes so feel free to try them out before building your own. If you're simply looking to have some fun in the river, of course, that is totally fine as well!

The Kuroyu hot spring, distinctive to the Kanto area, can be found alongside the bypass of the National Route 4. A wide variety of baths including, hot spring baths that flow directly from the source, jet baths, salt saunas, high-temperature saunas, medicated baths, utaseyu (striking water baths) can be enjoyed here.

This is a memorial house for Hanawa Hokiichi, a blind Japanese classical scholar who lived in the mid-Edo period. Apart from the famous collective title Gunsho Ruijyū and its raw lumber, there are approximately 200 archives on display inside the building. Furthermore, you can see a hand-stitched purse from his mother that he kept dear during his lifetime and many other personal articles. There is also a section within the exhibition for videos and audio tours.

At Saitama Prefecture's largest rice terraces, a rural landscape unique to Japan unfolds with each changing season. Currently, 4 (about 250 fields) out of the total 5.2 hectares are in use. In summer an event is held where around 600 bonfires are lit, for a night of magical ambience one cannot experience in the city. In autumn, the bulbs of around 2 million red spider lilies bloom around the rice paddies.

This is a campsite surrounded by trees alongside the ravine of the Tokigawa River. The facility is well-equipped with a building for cooking, showering, restroom, making it a safe environment to have fun at. In the river with shallow water, Japanese salmon and char fish swim, allowing for a great experience in nature.

The main theme of the Iruma City Museum ALIT is tea! This museum is filled with resources for learning extensively about Sayama Tea, the history and culture of tea and Iruma City's nature and history. In the spacious museum garden there is a tea room, a pond and wooded area, a restaurant, and a square with lawns. It is an ideal place to take a rest.

This Tourist Information Center is located on the second floor of the Station Building adjacent to Higashimatsuyama Station. Here you can find pamphlets on sightseeing spots and events in the city, walking maps, and more. City mascot character goods and other specialties of the city are also available for purchase. A pamphlet rack is also located in front of the ticket gates of Higashi Matsuyama Station, allowing you to easily grab what you need on your way to the train.

It started in 1182 when Hatakeyama Shigetada offered a statue of a devil holding an iron rod to protect people from evil during the construction of the Sugayayakata. A rare shrine that enshrines the “oni (devil)”, with a Setsubun Festival taking place every year on February 3rd, with chants of “Fuku wa uchi, Oni wa uchi, Akuma soto (Out with the bad spirits, in with the good fortune and oni/devil)”. In addition, the shrine is known as the god of victory, with soldiers praying for good fortune during war.

At our product store, locally brewed shochu “Chichibu Nishiki,” liquors and various Chichibu specialty goods are available. You can also try a wide range of alcohols at the tasting area.

Great accessibility with its location right by the Kamisato Smart IC. You can shop for seasonal fruits and vegetables, western and Japanese sweets, and even experience harvesting yourself! As the central tourist center of Kamisato Town, exciting development is to be expected here!

Reopened in April 2021 as a tourism and souvenir center! The store has a modern Japanese atmosphere that stays true to Gyoda City, which has been recognized as a Japanese Heritage site. The center offers 150 unique products from about 50 companies, including locally produced goods such as fashionably designed tabi (split-toed socks) and Minamikawara slippers made of colorful fabrics from Africa and other foreign countries. Furthermore, you can also satisfy your appetite with "Gyoda no gyoza (dumplings)" made from local flour, Narazuke pickles, Jumangoku Manju (steamed bun), Wataboku Milk, and more. You can even rent bicycles here, so make sure to stop by when sightseeing in Gyoda City.

Tours of the wine factory and vineyard, free samples and sale of wines at the in-house direct sales store, and meals at the company-owned restaurant (business days specified) are available.

The inside of the park adjoins the Nanbata Castle Park Museum, located in the center of the premise, and is divided into the east and west sections. On the east side, is the “Shiroato Zone” in which the figure of the Nanbata Castle Park is restored, and on the west side is the “Kominka Zone” in which the relocated Kominka built in the city is restored. The enclosure, water moat, earthwork of the Sengoku Period of the Nanbata Castle have been restored in “Shiroato Zone”. There are hygrophytes such as the water lily planted at the water moat and scenes of each of the four seasons can be enjoyed. In the “Kominka Zone”, there are relocated buildings of two old houses and a gate of a townhouse designated as the city’s cultural property which was built at the beginning of the Meiji period. Annexes such as the granaries, libraries, barns are newly built and Fujimi’s nostalgic scenery of a farm is reproduced. At the granary, one can watch performing arts peculiar to the local area along with a video of restored old houses. Further, “Chokkura” is attached to the regional exchange facility, and local produce and souvenirs can also be purchased.

The Kinchakuda park was formed by the zigzagging flow of the Koma River that runs through Hidaka City. Because its shape resembles a money pouch, it has come to be called Kinchakuda (= money pouch). Kichakuda park is a flatland surrounded by a river with a diameter of about 500 meters and a size of about 22 hectares. Flowers such as rape blossoms and cosmos bloom every season, but the highlight is the 5 million red spider lilies that dye the park in crimson colors every autumn.

Opened on November 11th, 1995 (the same month and day when Shibusawa Eiichi passed away). Inside the material room of the building, starting with Eiichi’s voice recording, there are lots of materials including ink and photos on display. In addition, on the north side of the memorial house, there is a bronze statue of Eiichi holding an analect, and overlooks the Akagi from afar.

At our building, attached to the Iwatsuki Doll Museum, we want people to learn the history and culture of Iwatsuki. Here you can participate in various fun events, try cafe menus, local specialties, eat locally harvested delicious vegetables, gain new knowledge, and meet new people. This is a place for happiness where people and information come together.

We offer information regarding the city such as information related to tourism and the town. Everything from displays of the original picture of “Crayon Shin-chan”, an animated character that represents Kasukabe, to the sales of food approved for the city’s “Food Selection” takes place. Further, it is registered as a “baby friendly station” with changes of diapers and breast-feeding made possible. Please feel free to stop by.

Experience indigo dyeing, either a handkerchief or any item that you decide to bring! For those trying this out, you can also tour the connected museum archive.

This is a combined facility to experience the Scandinavian culture. Rent a private tent sauna at the Sauna Club, enjoy a Scandinavian-style Kokko BBQ, or shop for regional specialties. In the spring of 2021, a glamping field for up to 10 tents will be added to the facility. Feel free to stay the night or simply enjoy a fulfilling day at this popular location!

Anraku-ji Temple is the 11th temple in Bando and has been known as Yoshimi Kannon since ancient times. The main deity of the temple is the Holy Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the deity of compassion, and according to the Yoshimi Kannon Enki, it all started about 1200 years ago when a statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva was carved and placed in the rock cave. Every year on June 18, the Kannon is unveiled in the early morning to the public to ward off evil spirits. As a tradition, they also sell special "Yakuwake Dango (literally dumplings to ward off evil)" on this day. Even to this day, on June 18th, the long approach to Anraku-ji Temple is lined with stalls, and the area becomes very crowded from around 2 am to early morning.

Our tea factory holds tours, and we lead tea picking experiences during the new tea season (around May 20th, end of June). There is also a direct sales office where you can buy our products cheaper than in regular stores (10% off bags of tea leaves, some products are excluded).

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

This riverside course is blessed with rich nature, with a view of the three mountains of Jōmō, and has a diverse course layout with an OUT course for skill and an IN course for power. There are seasonal events such as a competition named after Kiku Nishizaki, the first female seaplane pilot in Japan and a great figure of Kamisato, and a gift-giving program where you can get your hands on Kamisato's local vegetables and crops. The most famous 17th hole is a 595-yd par 6, a very long course.