Sightseeing Spots

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.

Located on the Nakagawa Riverbed of about 13,000 square meters, the contrast between the 120 pink peach blossoms and yellow rape blossoms is beautiful to see from March to April every year. In autumn, you can enjoy red spider lily and cosmos. In late March every year, the Hanamomo Festival is held, attracting many tourists.

This is a unique factory tour facility where you can have a fun time while learning about the world of sweets. You can observe the manufacturing process of Pocky and Pretz up close, learn about chocolate in a fun way, enjoy a quiz tour, watch the museum zone where 1500 toys are exhibited, and you can even take part in a workshop to make your own sweets! This is a spot that not only children but also adults can enjoy through a wide variety of experiences!

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.

Miyoonzawa springs up in a wooded area on a steep slope along the Kurome river in the southern part of the city. It is a clear stream that has been selected by the Ministry of Environment as some of the most famous water in Japan. Miyoonzawa covers a stretch of about 100 m before it connects to and becomes part of the Kurome river. In this limited environment, you can find many rare creatures and plants that only can live in the cleanest of waters.

12 million cosmos flowers bloom on the fields along the Arakawa riverbank. Enjoy the impressive view of the Chichibu mountain range and Mt. Fuji, all while surrounded by a sea of cosmos flowers. The best time to see the cosmos flower is in mid-October, but poppies can also be enjoyed in May. At the Cosmos Festival in mid-October, the area becomes lively with stage events, refreshment stalls, and cosmos picking events.

A poppy flower field that initially was planted as a campaign to prevent illegal dumping. With about 12.5 hectares, it is the largest in Japan. At the Poppy Festival in mid-May, you can enjoy refreshments, regional vegetables, and of course, flower picking! The view of Mt. Fuji from under the Onari bridge by the Arakawa river, where the field can be found, is known as one of the best views of Mt. Fuji. A truly spectacular and scenic view of red, pink, and orange poppies blooming all around you.

As said in the "Sayama tea picking song", "Shizuoka is color, Uji is the scent, but flavor, that is limited to Sayama". Sayama tea is one of Japan's three great tea sorts together with Shizuoka and Uji. It is considered to be one of the "large teas". At Miyanoen, you can familiarize yourself with Sayama tea through different workshops. In the tea picking experience, you can don the typical red apron (paid rental), pick and drink tea, try tea leaf tempura, and enjoy matcha art. This is a place to truly enjoy Sayama tea and Japanese tea culture.

A fermentation theme park run by Pickles Corporation, a tsukemono (Japanese pickles) maker. There are select shops for fermented foods, cafes, restaurants, and workshops available. You can eat dishes made with rice bran and lactic acid bacteria, buy pickles and fermented foods carefully selected from all over the country. You can also experience fermentation directly with any of the workshops to make kimchi, pickled bran, and seasonal dishes.

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!

Sakitama Kofun Park is home to 9 large "kofuns", megalithic tombs where, among other things, the national treasure "Inariyama burial-mound sword" was excavated. You can also see the largest kofun in Japan, "Maruhaka yama kofun" here, which also serves as a great cherry blossom spot. Gyoda City, where the park is located, is also known as the origin of Saitama prefecture's name, and you can see the stone monument celebrating this in the park.

This park built on the ruins of Iwatsuki Castle is a lush natural space with trails to explore and open areas to relax. Mingled in with the green, you can find a tennis court, baseball field, playground equipment, a picnic area with a fountain, and a pond with a vermillion-lacquered zigzag bridge. There is even an aged train, oozing with retro atmosphere, on display! In other words, this is a place for people of all ages! Not to mention, in spring, 600 cherry blossom trees bloom here, making it a "sakura"-hotspot during the vernal season.

The Sennen no Sono Lavender Field spans approximately 6.5 hectares and boasts around 22,000 lavender plants, including more than 10 different varieties such as Grosso, Hidcote, and Avonview (16 types in 2023). In late May, visitors can enjoy the enchanting sight of red, pink, and white poppies blooming alongside early-blooming lavender. By mid-June, a portion of the field transforms into a golden sea of wheat known as "Nourin 61." Towards the end of June, visitors can witness the spectacle of wheat harvesting. The annual Ranzan Lavender Festival takes place from early to late June, offering a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of the lavender field. *Please note that access to the fields is restricted after the festival as they undergo harvesting.

Atarashii Mura, or The New Village, is a tourist facility with "agriculture" as its theme. The facility has a market called "Mori no Ichiba Yui" that sells fresh vegetables produced by the local farmers of Atarashii Mura. Furthermore, there is a cafe called Mori no Cafe, where visitors can enjoy a light meal or a drink. Lastly, At the facility called "Noh no Ie," they have a herb garden that contains more than 100 different species. Among other things, they offer hands-on experiences of harvesting lavender and mint, programs and lectures on agriculture and food, and rent out their facilities. If that isn't enough, they even grow their own rice, a popular product that many visitors buy and bring home.

From the observation deck located at an altitude of 370 meters, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Yorii Town and the glittering night view of the skyline. In September, this place turns into a hotspot for observing the seasonal migration of the hawks.

The Edo-higan zakura tree located in Hachigata Castle Park is a natural monument of the town. This cherry blossom is estimated to be over 150 years old, and every year around the end of March, its branches spread out in the shape of an umbrella to display the flowers as they bloom magnificently! In the evening during peak season, you can even enjoy it illuminated!

This location is the site of the battle of Kanagawa, the largest field battle to have taken place in the Kanto region. The battle was between Takigawa Kazumasu, lord of Ueno's Maebashi (or Mayabashi) Castle, and Hojo Ujikuni, lord of Musashi's Hachigata Castle, and Hojo Ujinao, lord of Odawara Castle. It took place between the 18th and 19th of June in the year 1582 at the Kanagawa River on the border between Musashi (Currently part of Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa Prefecture) and Ueno (Currently Gunma Prefecture). The battle is also known as the "Battle of Kanakubo-hara" due to that the fierce battle was fought in and around Kanakubo and Bisado areas of Kamisato-town.

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.

Located right next to the Kamisato Smart IC, the store is packed with fresh produce representing Kamisato, such as pears, strawberries, corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes. The store is also popular for holding events featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as the Corn Fair, Pear Fair, and Strawberry Fair. In the food court attached to the store, a local handmade udon noodle restaurant called Kiyanchi and a handmade hamburger steak restaurant with its head office in Sengoku (Tokyo) called Grill K Farms are open for business, attracting many visitors from near and afar.

A cluster of spider lily grows on the banks of the Karasu River. With a backdrop of a clear blue sky, Mt. Haruna, one of the three mountains of Jōmō, and the Karasu River, named after the legend of Yamato Takeru, a ripe red carpet spreads out.

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.

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!

On May 23 of the fourth year of the Keio Era, Heikuro Shibusawa, a member of the old shogunate's army who had been defeated in battle against the new government forces in Hanno, fled towards Kuroyama Village over the Kaoburi pass alone. He encountered a scouting party and fought alone, but he was badly wounded and committed suicide, harakiri, sitting on a rock on the river bank. Heikuro was a cousin, brother-in-law, and adopted son of Shibusawa Eiichi.

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.