Sightseeing Spots

Kuroyamataki is a general term for the three waterfalls: greater waterfall, smaller waterfall, and tengu (an imaginary red-faced human figure with a protruding long nose, who flies through the air with two angel-like wings) waterfall. It is a scenic spot that was selected as one of Japan’s 100 best sightseeing destinations. Here you can enjoy fresh green leaves in the spring, cool temperature in the summer, and the changing color of the leaves in spring is remarkable.

Henjo-in was founded in 1394 during the Muromachi period (1336-1573). 　The main deity of the temple is the Great Sage Fudo Myoo. He is believed to take the form of pure anger 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.

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.

A a small, charming hill of approximately 4 hectares located at the end of Yokoze Town Citizen Ground parking lot has been maintained by local residents and volunteers for 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.

Ranzan Valley is one of the famous scenic spot in Saitama prefecture known for its Iwadatami rock terraces, clear stream of the Tsukikawa River, and a rich natural environment. Especially in the area called Hosohara, which extends from Mt. Ohira, the river channel is large and turns 180 degrees, creating a unique peninsula-like terrain. You can see the beautiful scenery of the valley and the surrounding red pine forest. The beautiful scenery of the valley is very similar to Arashiyama in Kyoto so that when Dr. Seiroku Honda, the first person in Japan to hold a Ph.D. of forestry, visited and said, "This is “Arashiyama of Musashi no kuni.”  From the fact that he muttered at the time, it is the origin of the name of the town “Ranzan-machi” which is another way to pronounce the kanji-signs for Arashiyama.   In the early summer, you can enjoy the scenery that you wouldn’t believe it's just an hour away from the centre of the city with fresh greenery, the sound of the river flowing, and the birds chirping. In autumn, please enjoy the colours reflected on the surface of the water and the fiery red maple trees. *Best time to see the autumn leaves: Mid-November to early December

Cherry trees that have sprouted from the seeds of the Jindai cherry tree in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, which traveled in space with astronaut Koichi Wakata in 2008, were planted in Seki Park on the 6th of April 2019, through the Kibou (Hope) Cherry Blossom Project, which aims to plant cherry trees in municipalities affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. In Yoshikawa City, the planting of the trees came about as a result of (1) children communicating with astronaut Kanai Yoshishige in space, (2) dispatching staff to Iitate Village in Fukushima Prefecture, which was evacuated after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and (3) passing on the damage caused by Typhoon Kathleen about 70 years ago to future generations. The Sakura Festival is held every March at Seki Park.

It is the oldest remaining gravity dam for agricultural use in eastern Japan. The weir of the dam and its management bridge are both registered as tangible cultural properties of Japan. The area is also known as a famous place for fishing for crucian carp and wakasagi. Furthermore, you can enjoy the seasonal scenery of cherry blossoms in spring and vividly colored leaves in the autumn.

Established 290 years ago, Nagatorogura Sake Brewery and Boutique Store is a sake brewery that carries on the spirit of 11th Hino merchant Sōbē Fujisaki, who devoted his life to bringing Saitama’s Japanese sake to the world. In September 2018, to further pursue Sōbe Fujisaki's sake brewing tradition of “polish with skill and brew from your heart," the sake brewery moved to Nagatoro, a beautiful place of nature. Using naturally flowing water from the Fuppu area and rice grown on Saitama soil, we are producing the Japanese sake "THE SAITAMA ORIGINAL." (For more information about our facility, please visit the URL below.)

Here you can buy Ageo City Tourism Association's recommended souvenirs! They also sell tickets for Saitama Ageo Medics and commuter passes for the Tobu and Asahi Buses.

The Sakado City History Folk Museum is part of the commemoration project operated under the municipal system with the purpose of contributing to the development of education, learning, and culture and was opened in October 1980. The building is a removed, reconstructed, and repaired part of the old Suguro Elementary School Building and inside the building, there are archaeological records unearthed from the remains found in the city as well as folk materials gathered from each region on display. The multiple articles for everyday use on display are the witnesses of history, conveying the lifestyle people had at the time and articulates the wisdom that local predecessors gathered. They are tools that people cherished and used over a long period of time. In addition, archaeological records such as the human clay figures unearthed from Kitamine Kofun group as well as tiles from the abandoned ancient temple, Katsuro, are data that represent Sakado city. At the museum, these materials are permanently exhibited with planned exhibitions of the articles for everyday use.

Please contact the farms listed in the link below for information about grape picking in Yokoze Town! Prices vary depending on the type of grape. You can also purchase grapes at the Ashigakubo Roadside Station (The farms will ship grapes when they are ready to eat. We apologize for any inconvenience if they are sold out). All farms incorporate appropriate hygiene precautions for a safe and comfortable visit.

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.

This is a tourist information center located in the Honjō Station of JR Takasaki Line. Pamphlets related to tourism and information regarding the city can be obtained, along with Honjō City’s souvenir. In addition, there are sweets and Japanese goods recommended by the Honjō City Tourism Association along with Honjō’s Kasuri.

If you're on the search for Chichibu souvenirs, look no further! At Jibasan Shoten they have a wide range of popular souvenirs from the Chichibu area, including vegetables from local farmers, unique area gems, and many goods including the local mascot character, Potekuma-kun. You can also find products to get a taste of daily life in Chichibu, or even find the perfect gift for your loved ones. We look forward to your patronage!

Yamabuki no Sato is associated with Ota Doshan, a famous Japanese poet. In spring, about 2500 golden Kerria japonica, commonly known as Japanese rose, swaying in the spring breeze match the water mill hut, creating a tasteful atmosphere.

During wisteria season, you can enjoy vines of purple wisteria flowers descending from the trees in the precincts of Gokado Temple on Mt. Ogawa. Magohachi Honma, who built the temple, spent a night discussing the art of waka poetry with a traveling monk to finally master its secrets, and thus named the temple "Gokado" (words and songs temple). According to legend, the monk was said to have been the incarnation of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. The stone Buddha in the Koshinto pagoda on the right side of the hall is one of few existing in Chichibu. Collectible goshuin seals are available at Chokoji Temple, about 250 meters away.

Hikawakuwa Shrine has been loved locally since its foundation in the Edo period. In addition to the main shrine, the grounds include two halls dedicated to the god of learning and Zhu Xi. A shrine monument to the life of Unmuro, the Hall of Prince Shotoku, and the Sengen Shrine.

Established at the end of Edo’s Kaei period (1850), Japanese sake, ume liqueur, sake lees are sold at the old-fashioned sake brewery and Taishō period’s store. A cozy experience that can only be enjoyed at a small brewery. In the case of touring the brewery, you will get a small sake cup as a present. The taste of various alcohols kept at different temperatures can be compared, with games for sake tasting on the menu. Please consult with us regarding the content of the experience along with the price range. Tours are not based on a particular season, however, the sake is prepared during the winter. It may be difficult to tour during the periods in which sake is prepared.

From handcrafting Japanese paper to seasonal experiences and workshops related to the Japanese paper, hand-making soba and udon, purchasing specialty goods of Japanese paper and agricultural products. There is also a plentiful food court full of the local village cuisine such as the salted grilled char and oyaki. Furthermore, there is a paper-making house with a thatched roof inside the Japanese garden, which makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time to the Edo period. The area is designed to allow for a relaxing time.

The largest Taiwanese Shinto shrine in Japan. The gorgeous structure is worth seeing. The spiral ceiling assembled without any nails, the Kowloon stone pillar of 5 meters, a door of 4 meters with wood carvings of the god of military arts, and a coffered ceiling with dragons. Taiwan’s authentic worship and fortune slip can be experienced here.

Hachigata Castle is a typical castle from the Warring States period and selected as one of the 100 famous castles of Japan. The castle is said to have been built in 1476 by one of the retainers of Yamanouchi Uesugi, the leader of the Kanto region, and later expanded to its current size in 1560 by the Odawara clan. When the feudal lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi attacked and besieged the castle in 1590, the soldiers inside held out for one month before giving up, opening the castle in exchange for their lives. After this incident, the castle was demolished and abandoned, but you can still see a large number of ruins that remain largely undisturbed, reminding us of the strong fortress of the past.

This natural hot spring was opened in June 2021 in Aeon Town Yoshikawa Minami, with the theme of ''taste, pleasure, beauty, and health. There are three types of indoor baths, a reclining bath, and an outdoor bath. After taking a bath, you can enjoy the food by sushi producer Kanazawa Maimon and the sweets of Le Chocolat de H by chocolatier Hironobu Tsujiguchi in the food court attached to the spa.

Here you can see the only castanet-playing haniwa (clay figurine) and dancing female haniwa (clay figurine) found in Japan! In addition to the many earthenware and stone tools on display, the life of Kiku Nishizaki, the first female seaplane pilot in Japan, who is a great historical figure of Kamisato and the main character in an NHK TV series, is also introduced.

On both sides of the stone steps of Godaison, where five statues of Myoo, the god of wisdom, stand proudly, old trees that are said to have been planted more than 350 years ago are blooming. The adjacent Azalea park is one of the best Azalea viewing spots in the Kanto region, with about 10000 azaleas in full bloom.