Sightseeing Spots

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.)

Toda Park was built between 1937 and 1940 and is centered around a rowing course, the largest artificial static watercourse in Japan. The park was established as a city park after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and is used as a training area and competition venue for rowing. It also serves a purpose as a place of water and greenery that provides a relaxing environment for the citizens of the prefecture. In addition, the park is adjacent to the bank of the Arakawa River and has an elevated plaza, flower beds, and lots of playground equipment, making it a popular place to visit!

Gyōdahachiman Shrine is called “Fūji-no-miya (Palace of Sealing)” due to its secret method of praying which helps children sleep, prevents nervousness, cancer, diseases, bad habits, and dementia for the elderly. In the precincts, there is a “shrine of the eyes”, Kasamori Inari Shrine, for the god of eczema and beautiful skin, along with “Okuninushi Shrine” that enshrines Oshi Castle’s 7 lucky gods. Recently, “nade momo” is said to be a place for spiritual energy, and is famous for the god of fencing off suffering from illness and misfortune.

At the building of Haniwa located inside the Saitama Kofun Group, anyone can experience making their own Haniwa with the help of an instructor. In order to create a Haniwa, there are 3 steps: 90 minutes of molding, drying for about a month, heating in the kiln located inside the building at a heat of 800℃ for approximately 7 hours. Once the Haniwa is complete, it can either be retrieved in person or can be delivered and paid on arrival.

Izumo Iwai Shrine is the oldest shrine in the prefecture and the stage for a powerful display of horseback archery. It is designated as a national important cultural property along with the two attached building signs. According to folklore, Minamoto no Yoshiie visited the area to express his gratitude for winning an important battle in the year 1063. He also built the Hachiman shrine and prayed by performing horseback archery, which led to the present tradition. To this day, every spring and autumn, young people perform beautiful displays of archery from the back of running horses at Izumo Iwai Shrine.

Become one with the peaceful scenery of a mountain village as you enjoy nature and farm life. Pay an annual fee and get unlimited access to farmland where you can grow crops and areas where you can pick and enjoy fruits such as strawberries. In addition, multiple events featuring rice cultivation, digging of bamboo shoots, noodle-making, potato cultivation, and countryside hiking are held throughout the year.

This sake brewery is a guardian of traditional techniques that have been around since 1863. "Tradition is innovation" is their motto that gave birth to their sparkling sake, a product that has gathered attention and been praised, both domestically and abroad. Visit the brewery, interact with the brewers, and come into contact with the history and tradition of Japanese sake!

About 1500 Hydrangea plants, in Japan known as Ajisai, are in bloom along the 3-kilometer long road, and you can enjoy the clean air and the chirping of birds while being surrounded by nature.

Ageo Maruyama Park opened in 1978 with the theme of "harmony between water and greenery." It has a small animal corner, a children's amusement park, a barbecue area, a center for learning about nature, and a large pond, making it a popular place to visit.

This facility, located right next to the west exit of Ogose Station, is used by many people for resting, as a rendezvous point for hiking, buying souvenirs, and snacks (rice balls, pizza, coffee, juice, etc.). You can also catch a free shuttle bus to O Park Ogose from in front of this facility.

The park opened in 1990 as part of spreading “Botan (peony)”, the city’s flower. This is a prominent peony park in the Kanto region with roughly 30,000 square meters of colorful peony blooming from the middle of April to early May, with a “Botan Matsuri (Peony Festival)” taking place at the prime of the peonies blooming. Furthermore, Hydrangea, Japanese maple, Chimonanthus, a large playground complex, an open lawn, and an observatory can be enjoyed throughout the year.

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.

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)

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!

This is the birthplace of “Kan’ichi Shimofusa”, a musician who produced famous nursery rhymes. It is said that the atmosphere of the old town of Ōtone was imagined when composing songs such as “Tanabatasama”, “Nogiku”, “Hanabi”. And the “Ōtone Koshihikari” is harvested with rich water making it one of the leading “delicious Koshihikari” of Saitama, and is sold as “Dōyō no Furusato Ōtone”.

We sell over 450 types of souvenirs that represent Saitama. Other than the regular Sōka Sembei (rice cracker), Koedo Kawagoe Imo (sweet potato) sweets, Ajino Sayamacha, local brew, there are traditional crafts and goods featuring Saitama Prefecture’s mascot “Kobaton”; we sell many popular products unique to Saitama area.

Within the park, there is an open lawn space and a large wooden play equipment, with families crowding the area throughout the year. Flowers of each of the seasons are planted within the park, the sakura season as might be expected, moss phlox (April to May) and Iris (early June) warms the heart and is enjoyed. Additionally, there are kitchen spaces for barbecue and fishing can be done at Koaitamei (within the designated area).

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.)

Doukan Omotenashi (hospitality) Plaza provides information on tourist attractions, historical sites, hiking trails, flowering information, and special products in Ogose Town. Make sure to stop by when you visit Ogose Town!

The Hachimanyama Kofun (Mount Hachiman burial mound), is the central burial mound within the group of Wakakodama burial mounds that can be found in the area. It is estimated to be built in the 7th century and has a diameter of 80 meters. It was restored in 1981. From the stone hut, the “Urushi Nuri Mokkan (lacquered wooden casket)” was found in almost perfect condition. Those buried inside are assumed to have been people of power. It is called “Kanto-no-Ishibutai (Kanto’s Ishibutai) because it is a grand stone hut that matches those of the Ishibutai Kofun (Ishibutal burial mound) of Asukamura of Nara prefecture.

The entrance of the Kawagoe Kashiya Yokochō candy store is marked with a large purple noren (shop curtain with emblem and name). A wide variety of sweets are produced and sold here, including kura manjū (Japanese-style bun stuffed with sweetened bean paste), sweet potato yōkan (sweetened bean jelly), potato sweets, and rice crackers. We can assist you in basic English.

At the Hanayo Glass Studio of Tamami Sudo, a glass blowing artist who has done exhibitions at numerous famous department stores, you can try your hand at glass blowing and sandblasting (reservations required). The studio is popular, both for the thorough instructions that make it enjoyable for anyone, as well as the fact that you make a memento that you can bring with you home. You can also enjoy the stunning works of Tamami Sudo that are on display in the studio.

This is a day trip hot spring facility that was built by relocating an ancient house. Located close to the Tokigawa River, if you soak in the footbath on the engawa (Japanese-style terrace), you will be able to clearly hear the calming sound of the small stream. There is an area for BBQ nearby, and you can enjoy it without any equipment. After the BBQ, heal, recharge, and wash off your sweat in the hot spring.

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.