Sightseeing Spots

The Ishizaka no Mori, is a mountain village where you can easily come in contact with the vast nature. Many people build a relationship with the area to search for additional value in their lives or to delve deeper into the understanding of ecosystems and the conservation of nature. This is a place where you can become a part of creating the new version of countryside life before anyone else.

The ruins of a kiln used in the 7th century which is said to be one of the oldest artifacts of Saitama Prefecture. It is designated as one of Saitama Prefecture’s historic spots. It is thought that the kiln was made for the establishment of the Musashi Kokubunji Temple, however, due to the careful inspection of an unearthed tile, it was made clear that the kiln was crafted for Saguro Temple.

In the Oshamoji-Yama Park, located by the South entrance of the town, cherry blossoms bloom in the spring. Azalea flowers surround the entire mountain, attracting people, and creating a lively atmosphere. The origin of the name, “Oshamoji-Yama”, comes from the fact that the small shrine where the Shamoji mother goddess (god Oshamoji) is enshrined is located at its base. From the park’s observatory, the Kanto Plains and Chichibu mountains can be seen.

This is a newly improved park in Hatoyama-machi where two large Japanese fir trees, designated by the town as scenic trees, stand close together. Also, there is the Midoyama near the entrance, adjoining Takanokura Hachijyūhachikasho and Hachimanjinjya-no-Ichinogashi (a designated natural monument of the town), allowing for an enjoyable “four seasons” of Hatoyama.

Located in the Kitamoto Nature Observation Park, this is a facility that serves as a base for Saitama Prefecture’s nature learning and environmental education. Centering around Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, various events related to the observation and experience of nature are hosted. Within the building, there are exhibits about the problems within nature and the environment and a fulfilling information center with books related to nature. Staff is stationed, providing information regarding nature within the park. There is a section on our website named “Park Journal,” where you can get daily updates on opening hours and events.

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.

Our building is located in a place that has undergone a transition from the Kamakura period’s samurai’s palace, “Sugaya-yakata”, to the Sengoku period’s castle, “Sugaya-jō”. Opened as the Saitama Prefectural Historical Data Museum in April of 1976, and later in April 1st of 2006, based on the plan for reorganization and maintenance of the prefectural museum facility, documents related to the Sugaya-yakata along with the collection, storage, and research investigation of archaeological materials related to medieval historic sites such as the medieval castles were completed. Plotting its application, the museum was rebuilt with the purpose of contributing to the development of education, learning, and culture. At this time, the name of the building was changed from Saitama Prefectural Historical Data Museum to its current name. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below)

“Saitama City Iwatsuki Ningyo Museum” is a museum that opened in Saitama’s Iwatsuki Ward in 2020 that probes the history between people and dolls and serves the role of bringing the culture of dolls into the future. Through the collection and storage of documents related to dolls and research related to the culture of dolls, we are working on a project to make dolls more familiar to people through exhibitions and activities. (For more information, please see the URL below)

You can experience the aspects: “to eat,” “to learn,” “to buy,” “to play” at Saitama Prefecture Kawajima-machi’s “Kinbue Syōyu Park” (Soy Sauce Theme Park) through factory visits of soy sauce breweries, “Kinbue Syōyu Gakkō” and “Syōyu-gura no Restaurant.” Fueki Syōyu manages the long-established soy sauce brewery founded in 1789. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below)

This aquarium centers around exhibiting about 70 different types of freshwater fish that live in the Saitama Prefecture. The main focus is on the aquatic life from the upper stream of the Arakawa River to the region of the mouth of the river. Among the highlights are the Tokyo bitterling, Musashi ninespine stickleback, and the waterwheel plant. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below.)

The Museum of History and Folklore collects and stores documents related to Saitama’s history and folklore. Through conducting a comprehensive research investigation, the regional characteristic of Saitama is made visible and shared through exhibitions and online information. This makes the museum a place for learning-related activities and human interaction. In doing so, it contributes to the enrichment of life and the creation of a new culture for all citizens of the prefecture. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below)

The Saitama Museum of Rivers is an experience-oriented comprehensive museum centering around the Arakawa river with the theme being water and the livelihood of people.

Hanazono Forest is two minutes away from the Hanazono Interchange via car and is a sweets theme park with the theme being a quiet European mansion. Here you can buy sweet gifts, such as Baumkuchen, perfect to snack on or give as souvenirs. Cakes and gelatos chosen by patissiers, freshly baked bread, and outlet products are sold as well. Please enjoy the vast garden with the beautiful blooming roses while eating your favorite sweets or bread. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below)

From the “Sakitama Kofun (Tumulus)” built between the late 5th century to the early 7th century to the national treasure “Musashi Sakitama Inariyama Kofun Artifact”, much of these valuable cultural properties are stored here. Also, this is a facility that allows you to climb both the Inariyama Kofun and Maruhakayama Kofun. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below.)

The Museum of Modern Art Saitama (MOMAS) opened in 1982 in the greenery rich Kitaurawa Park. From artistic masters from abroad such as Monet, Chagall, Picasso to modern Japanese artists, excellent art pieces are collected and displayed. In addition, special exhibitions with unique themes take place on demand; there are also many "good design" chairs that can be used freely. To further have visitors familiarize themselves with art, there are museum concerts, lectures, as well as workshops which both parents and kids can enjoy. There are also museum shops with selected art books and goods along with a restaurant where authentic Italian food can be tasted, making the museum a place for fun and comfort. (For more information regarding the facility, please check the URL below.)

This is the core facility for the SKIP City Project. The goal of the project is to introduce and accumulate information regarding video as a next-generation industry. It is composed of 6 facilities (video museum, video hall, a library of publicized videos, post-production, HD studio, incubation). The facility is known for being able to complete everything from filming, editing, producing, and displaying the finished product. ※ For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below.

This is a private museum on the theme of ’Shishimai' (traditional lion dance), featuring authentic lion masks, costumes, documentation, performance videos from all over the country, and even local toys related to the lion.

Around 200 flowers bloom here during the peak season. Based on analytic results, this flower is an ancient form of the lotus flower. However, its age cannot be specified but is assumed to be a lotus from about 1,200 years ago. The best time to see them is around early July to late July, with the flowers blooming from around 5 in the morning. Since these flowers bloom in the middle of a residential area, please keep quiet when viewing them.

A shell 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 seashells of Japanese littleneck, common orient clam, and blood clam. The mound is located behind the Kannon statue in the 5th temple of the Adachi Bandō pilgrim route.

Saitama prefecture's largest rose garden blooms twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn. The best time to visit is in early May to early June or early October to mid-November. With over 400 species and more than 5000 individual roses, the beauty is simply overwhelming. There is also a garden of hydrangeas that blooms in June. Walking through the park's relaxing atmosphere, you will find various sport and recreation facilities, waterside areas, playground equipment, large sandpits, and much more, all coming together into a stimulating environment that provides something for people of every age!

Ina town has a rich history, still visible in the seemingly ordinary townscape of today, telling the tales of many hundred years ago. For example, you can find the ruins of the encampment used by the prominent leader Tadatsugu Ina, who served under the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period. Tadatsugu improved irrigation channels and developed rice fields, laying the foundation for the legendary Tokugawa rule that lasted 260 years. To this day, earthworks, moats, and streets remind us of the past through their names that relate to ruins of old gates, encampments, storehouses, and other historical structures. Excavations are still under process, and new finds, such as unique earth constructions made to hinder enemy troops, are being discovered, further revealing the exciting history of Ina town.

Here you can learn about Ina town's rich natural and cultural properties. There is a comprehensive exhibition of local treasures displaying nature, geography, history, and folklore. The location moved to Ina Municipal Minami Junior High School in April 2016. Feel free to stop by and deepen your love and understanding of the wonderful Ina town.

Forest of Musen yama ・KDDI, is designated as number 13 in the greenery trust conservation. The area is located on the eastern edge of Ōmiya Plateau and offers a fauna centering around the Konara (pin) oak and other deciduous broad-leaved trees. Furthermore, on the west side, there is a row of Yoshino cherry blossom trees attracting many people in the spring. There used to be a station for wireless transmission belonging to a company called 'KDDI Corporation' located here. As a result, the mountain area is nicknamed "Musen yama (the wireless mountain)", by locals.

This single-floor wooden house, built using the architectural style called 'Sukiya,' 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, at a small sum, can enjoy a cup of tea.