Sightseeing Spots

Known as Iwadono Kannon, Shōbōji’s official name is Iwadonosan Shōbōji. At the Bando 33 spot pilgrimage’s 10th Holy Place, people have prayed from ancient times, which lead to the achievement of a constant stream of people. During the age of civil wars, when the forces of Takeda took on Matsuyama Castle, it is said that the honjin (an officially appointed hotel with accommodations for a daimyo and his procession) was established. When you pass the row of houses that hid what used to be a constant stream of people, the Niōmon gate comes into view. If you climb up the stone steps you can see the city’s oldest bell tower and a temple built by wood dedicated to Kannon as well as a large Ginkgo tree. ※ Seasonal Information: The yellowing of the leaves of the large ginkgo tree estimated to be over 700 years-old is best in early December.

Okegawa-shuku, a post town along Nakasendo that retains its old atmosphere and is home to cultural properties such as the Takemura Ryokan (former Hatago) and the residences of the Shimamura and Kobayashi families. Furthermore, Okegawa is famous for Safflower, which has brought wealth and culture to the post town. As proof of this, stone lanterns donated by safflower merchants can be seen at Okegawa Inari Shrine.

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.

Fresh vegetables and locally-produced eggs harvested by more than 130 local farmers along with handmade dishes (to be served with rice) can be bought in the bright shop where you can feel the warmth of the wooden interior. Outside, a shop put out by the local butcher sells Yakitori and dumplings made of pure rice. This farmers' market is very popular with the people of the town. Products brought in by farmers in the morning are sold on the day, for the whole day. The best part about it all is the freshness.

The well at our brewery, "Bushūyama Jyōryūsui" (underground water) was established as one of the hundred best mineral water sources of the Heisei Era. If you bring a container, feel free to fill it up with water and take it with you!

Seiryu brewery is famous for being the biggest producer in the Kanto region and offering both superb taste and production quality. Their concept of connecting face to face with customers in order to inspire trust led to the first establishment in the business where you can buy their products directly at the brewery.

At the vast site that spreads 46 hectares towards Hiki Hills, popular animals such as the giraffes, red pandas, koalas, as well as the ecological park of Humboldt penguins known as the “Penguin Hills” can be enjoyed. Adjacent to the park, there is a path to take strolls and a path for those interesting in cross country. This is the only zoo in Japan in which Eco Houchoo’s Gundi, Hyrax, and the world’s smallest deer, Pudu, and the Quokka, which joined to commemorate the park’s 40th anniversary, can be seen. Winter’s seasonal tradition: “Capybara Hot Spring” is very popular as well.

This facility is a center for social mingling and tourism established from the early Meiji period merchant's inn, "Chichibu-Kan," which was renovated preserving as much of its original appearance as possible. The first floor is a free rest space with a large irori (sunken hearth) surrounded by rental boxes where citizens can display and sell their handicrafts and ceramics. Whether to search for tourist information or to mingle with the locals, we hope you will visit Hot Spot Chichibu-Kan!

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.

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!

Marking 2100 years, Gochinza, a Sōja of Chichibu, has been revered since ancient times. In a forest of oak, there is an atmosphere with style and solemn beauty. The existing main building of the shrine is a contribution of Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1592 and was designated as Saitama Prefecture’s tangible cultural property due to the fact that it holds much of the Edo period’s early architectural style.

In hopes of having the role of the “Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel”, a regional flood control facility, understood at a deeper level, we have made our study tours more appealing and have started a new study tour. In addition to the popular tour of the surge tank, known as  "underground shrine" , secret passages, pump rooms, and sections for the gas turbine will be opened to the public through 4 different courses. Please experience the grandeur of the “Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel”. Please check the URL below for details regarding tours and facilities.

The purpose of this facility is to provide a place for interaction within and outside the community. The facility has a spacious lawn and a variety of playground equipment that can be freely used by anyone. In addition to renting out the training room and processing room facilities, the Exchange and Experience Center also holds independent projects such as hands-on classes and exhibitions.

Chichibu Festival Museum exhibits materials related to the booths and kasaboko (combined umbrella and halberd carried on floats in some festivals) of the Chichibu night festival that takes place every year on the 2nd and 3rd of December. The booths, kasaboko, curtain, sculptures made by Shōwa’s master craftsmen are arranged in a design related to the Myōken belief. At noon, the lanterns are switched on to reproduce the night festival. Within the noise of the palatial Chichibu booth music, the luxurious booth and kasaboko can be seen right before your eyes.

In front of the main hall is a statue of “Obinzurusama” (a disciple of Buddha), which legend has it that you will be healed by touching the statue where your body has pain while touching the same place on your body. In spring the adorable rare Bukoumamezakura cherry blossoms bloom for a delightful scene. It was also the setting for the animated movie, “The Anthem of the Heart." The “Enmei Jizō" (life-prolonging Jizō statue) stands at the entrance as a landmark.

This store was originally the main building of a meisen silk wholesaler that prospered in the Taisho era. It has now been restored as a tourist center that also displays and sells local products. You can also try out the local cuisine at the soba noodle shop!

Roadside Station Showa is surrounded by a rural landscape of fertile farmland, small forest grooves, and pastoral rice fields. This blessed natural environment allows you to feel the changing of the seasons. In the product hall, you can find a variety of souvenirs from all over the country as well as products unique to the Kasukabe area. This is a very popular spot for tourists where you even can buy fresh local vegetables. Or why not sit down and enjoy a hot meal at the restaurant "Shokusai-kan?"

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.

As you go through the mountain road, you will see a direct sales store built from Japanese cypress. It specializes in the treasures of the mountain, harvested in the Ōno region, such as the mountain mushrooms and wild plants. The “Chirimen Norabō-na” only available here has a deep sweet taste, making it a popular product every year. The building is the oldest out of the 4 direct sales stores within the town and is said to be the model of the “Myōkaku Station” which has the same octagonal shape.

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.

The Saitama Forest Science Museum is a place where visitors can learn about both forests and forestry and deepen their understanding of the roles of forests and forestry. The Museum was built by Saitama Prefecture to encourage and support the local forestry industry.

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.

Jigenji is Chichibu’s 13th sacred site on Japan’s 100 Kannon Pilgrimage. It has been famous as a temple for "eyes" for 780 years. Worshippers come from all over Japan with worries and concerns regarding the eye.

This park provides a place for citizens to interact and relax. It utilizes the natural forest to prove a place to enjoy strolling through all four seasons, a water pool for playing, and many other types of equipment for kids to play.