Sightseeing Spots

In the spring, cherry blossoms bloom and azalea flowers cover the mountain at Oshamoji-yama Park, located at the town's south entrance, and the many revelers make for a boisterous flower-viewing party. The Shamoji mother-goddess (god Oshamoji) is enshrined in a hokora (miniature shrine) at the foot of the mountain, thus the park is named “Oshamoji-yama.” The Kanto Plain and mountains of Chichibu can be seen from the park's observatory.

Founded in 1549 by Renkei Daishi, the mother of Kawagoe Castle Lord Masashige Daidoji. Later during the Tokugawa period, it was officially recognized as a temple and made into a school for Buddhist monks, and many Buddhist monks were educated there. In addition, the temple enshrines Fukurokuju, one of the 7 lucky gods of Kawagoe. Events are held at the temple on a regular basis.

Sakitama Shrine is an ancient shrine with a majestic and calm atmosphere which holds a history of a thousand and a few hundred years, and is the origin of Saitama Prefecture's name. The main building of the shrine has a height of 8.7 meters, a circumference of about 92 meters, and is built on top of a megalith tomb (kofun) called Sengenzuka, connected to the Saitama Kofun Group. The deity has two pillars: Sakitamahime-no-mikoto and Sakitamahiko-no-mikoto, gods that protect individuals and bring good fortune and success in matrimony. Recently, a popular limited edition go-shuin (seal stamp) with a motif of the 4 cats that reside in the shrine is available (every month on the 22nd including a few days before and after).

The largest Taiwanese Shinto shrine in Japan. This gorgeous structure is worth seeing at least once. The spiral ceiling assembled without any nails, the 5-meter Kowloon stone pillar, a 4-meter door with wood carvings of warrior gods and a coffered ceiling with dragons. You can experience authentic Taiwanese-style worship and omikuji (fortune slips) here.

Tsurugashima Sports Park is known for its plentiful greenery and support of the natural ecosystem. There is a wooded area which utilizes existing trees to their fullest, a waterfront centered around the Oootagaya marsh and exercise facilities located on the main ground. This athletic park can be easily enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to the elderly. In addition, it is the site of the Tsurugashima Cherry Blossom Festival in spring and the Tsurugashima Industry Festival in fall, making it a center of tourist activity for the city.

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.

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!

There are around 1,500 hydrangea plants in bloom along this 3-kilometer-long road, and you can enjoy the fresh air and chirping of birds while surrounded by nature.

Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels was built by the collaborative husband and wife artists, Toshi and Iri Maruki, to create a place to exhibit their work "The Hiroshima Panels," 15 panels depicting the effects of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In 1966, they moved to Shimogarako, Higashimatsuyama City, opened the Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels the following year, and then spent more than 30 years completing all 15 panels. The museum also holds special themed exhibitions, lectures, concerts, and other events on the theme of life and war.

To better teach visitors about the role of the regional flood control facility, “Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel,” we have increased the appeal of our tours and begun the second installment of this ongoing social experiment. In addition to the wildly popular tour of the surge tank, known as the "underground shrine," we have added secret passages, pump rooms, and sections of the gas turbine which will be opened to the public in 4 different courses. We encourage you to experience the grandeur of the “Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel.” Please check the URL below for details regarding tours and facilities.

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.)

Gyōda Hachiman Shrine is called “Fūji no Miya" (Palace of Sealing) for its secret prayer method which is believed to help children sleep, prevents nervousness, cancer, diseases, bad habits and dementia in the elderly. In the precincts, there is a “shrine of the eyes,” the Kasamori Inari Shrine which enshrines the god of eczema and beautiful skin, along with “Okuninushi Shrine” that enshrines Oshi Castle’s 7 lucky gods. Recently, the “nade momo” (patting peach) is said to be a place for spiritual energy, and is famous for the god of warding off suffering from illness and misfortune.

Surrounded by lush greenery and famous for its shibazakura (lawn cherry) and cherry blossoms, this park is located on a hill overlooking the city center and has been long-cherished as a place to relax by the local citizens. There is a hill overlooking the city and surrounding mountains, "Miharashi no Oka," an athletic park "Wanpaku Hiroba" for children to play at, and exhibition halls such as the Mt. Bukou Museum and Yamato Art Museum.

Located in the Kitamoto Nature Observation Park, this facility serves as a base for Saitama Prefecture’s nature learning and environmental education. Various events related to observation and nature experiences are hosted on primarily Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Inside the building, there are exhibits about nature and environmental issues and an information center filled with books related to nature. Staff are also stationed to provide 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.

The Kawagoe Castle was built in the first year of Chōroku Era (1457) under the command of the vassals, Ōta Dōshin and Dōkan (father and son), for Ōgigayatsu Uesugi Mochitomo to compete against Koga Ashikaga Shigeuji. In the Edo period, it was of utmost importance to protect the north side of Edo, which is why the top vassal traditionally become the lord of the castle. The current building was constructed in the first year of Kaei era (1848). It is open to the public after a two and a half year restoration.

Enjoy country-style handmade soba, udon, and other set menus long popular among the farmers of Ashigakubo. You can also enjoy strawberry picking! The strawberries are bright red and packed with juicy sweetness. Strawberry picking is located right next to Menya Kinoko Chaya. If you want to pick strawberries, stop by Menya Kinoko Chaya first. ※ Time limit of 30 minutes per entry. ※ We would appreciate it if you could contact us in advance.

At this facility visitors can get a farming experience not obtainable in the city, such as rice growing and vegetable harvesting. Become the owner of your own rice field and plant and reap your own rice, or experience harvesting greenhouse strawberries. In the attached Kitagawabe History Museum, there are agricultural tools on display created from the wisdom and ingenuity of predecessors.

This is a museum for classic Rolls Royce and Bentley automobiles which displays among others, Jirō Shirasu's beloved Bentley, and the Rolls Royce of the former prime minister, Shigeru Yoshida. Watch the opening and closing of the doors, listen to the sound of the engines, and see the cars in motion, feeling the power of these formerly active classic automobiles, in the present day.

Here you can see the only castanet-playing haniwa (clay figurine) and dancing female haniwa (clay figurine) ever found in Japan! In addition to the many earthenware and stone tools on display, you'll get an introduction to the life of Kiku Nishizaki, the first Japanese female seaplane pilot and great historical figure of Kamisato, who was the model for the heroine of an NHK TV series.

This is the main facility of the SKIP City Project, the project goal of which is to introduce and accumulate information for the next-generation of the audiovisual industry. For the general public, the facility contains a participation-based "audiovisual museum" where people of all ages can learn video production, an "audiovisual library" where visitors can watch culturally significant movies and TV programs, and an "audiovisual hall" to enjoy film showings and various events. ※ For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below.

You can enjoy a variety of gravity-based activities from suspension bridges built on the banks of the Arakawa River using the piers of the former Shirakawa Bridge. Wear a harness and walk on the suspension bridge, cross the Arakawa Valley while connected to a cable, or swing over the valley on a trapeze! You can even bungee jump! Enjoy the great outdoors of the Arakawa Valley while taking part in many thrilling activities!

The change of the seasons can be enjoyed in the large, elegant butterfly maple tree, said to be 600 years old and designated a Saitama Prefecture Natural Treasure. The trunk is 3.8 m in circumference, 7.2 m in height, and the canopy measures 18.9 m north to south, 20.6 m east to west, and 56.3 m in circumference. The peak for autumn leaves is mid to late November. The "Night Zazenkai" (Night Zen Meditation) is also held on the 8th of every month from 7:30PM. A soba restaurant, "Teuchi Soba Machida" is nearby, and you can enjoy a meal of handmade soba while viewing the changing seasons.

Opened in 1990 as part of efforts to promote the official city flower, the peony (botan). A prominent peony park in the Kanto region, roughly 30,000 square meters of colorful peonies bloom from mid-April to early May, culminating in the Peony Festival (botan matsuri) during peak bloom. Throughout the year, visitors can also view hydrangea, Japanese maple and wintersweet, and enjoy facilities such as a large playground complex, an open lawn, and an observatory.

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