Sightseeing Spots

In 2008, cherry trees, which were sprouted from the seeds of the Jindai cherry tree in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, traveled to space with astronaut Koichi Wakata, and were subsequently planted in Seki Park on April 6th, 2019 through the Kibou (Hope) Cherry Blossom Project, a project aiming to plant cherry trees in municipalities affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The decision to plant the trees in Yoshikawa City was based on the children's communication with astronaut Kanai Yoshishige in space, the dispatching of staff to Iitate Village in Fukushima Prefecture, which was evacuated after the 2011 earthquake, and the desire to pass on an explanation of the damage caused by Typhoon Kathleen from 70 years ago to future generations. The Sakura Festival is also held at Seki Park every March.

Enshrining Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the god of the sea and storms, this shrine is known to protect against evil and plague. Inside the shrine is a lion mask called the "Hirakata Lion" which is popular with locals. Every year in July, a mysterious festival is held called "Doroinkyo." This festival is designated as an intangible folk cultural asset by Saitama Prefecture. The giant zelkova tree and enoki mushrooms within the precincts are designated as natural monuments by Ageo City.

The only sake brewery at Kura no Machi, Kawagoe. Though the sake brewery cannot be toured, the adjoining Matsumoto Shōyu, established 200 years ago, can be toured free of charge. Please stop by for a visit! The sake brewery is only 1 minute by foot from the Toki no Kane, the center of Kawagoe’s tourist destination.

The water at this hot spring, which flows from 1,500 meters underground, scored a maximum score of 5 out of 6 categories in the Japan Natural Hot Spring Examining Authority inspection! With a composition similar to salty seawater, it is also called “Netsu no Yu” (high temperature bath) due to the amount of cold water needed to cool it down. Another appeal is the fact that this hot spring can be enjoyed during the colder months without any added water. The high-concentration carbonated spring, which even garners the attention of the medical industry, can also be enjoyed.

The date of its establishment is unknown, but it is said to have been built either in the Meiō period (1492-1501) or in the first year of Jokyo (1684). It is said that when a Buddhist priest named Genkai visited the Fushimi Inari, he built a sutra mound with 10,000 Lotus Sutras buried inside. In the precincts, you can also find a shrine dedicated to Shingoro Takahashi and his wife Ise, who developed Warabi's textile industry, and a heart-shaped stone known to grant visitors success in their pursuit of love.

This facility is a center for socializing and tourism established in the early Meiji period merchant's inn, "Chichibu-Kan," which was renovated in a way to preserve its original appearance. 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 you're searching for tourist information or would like mingle with the locals, we hope you will visit Hot Spot Chichibu-Kan!

This spot located nearby Ōshi Castle is famous for its water hyacinth. The park's Blue Lake (Aoi no Ike) displays beautiful water hyacinth when in season. The square is also known for its 200 cherry blossom trees. There is also the "Literary Monument of a Country Teacher“ (Inaka Kyōshi-no Bungakuhi) of Katai Tayama. A verse from the book Inaka Kyōshi, “The road to Yori was long…,” is engraved on the monument.

This roadside station, with a play tower designed to resemble a strawberry castle, is easy for families to stop by. Goods such as fresh dorayaki made from Yoshimi grown strawberries are available for purchase. It is also a popular place to take a break and enjoy a delicious soft-serve ice cream.

This day trip hot spring facility was built in a relocated old private house. Located near the Tokigawa River, guests using the footbath on the Japanese-style terrace (engawa) are treated to the sounds of the calming babbling brook. There is also a nearby BBQ area you can visit with no preparation. After BBQ, you can relax and recharge in the hot spring.

The bath uses water close to the source, a gensen (hot spring source) 2,000 meters underground. The water is rich in sodium and heats the body to its core. Due to the warming effects of the sodium, the bath is known as "Atamari no Yu" (warming bath). In addition, the hydrogen ion concentration is pH 8.1. This low alkaline water also helps soften dead skin cells, earning the bath the additional name of "Bihada no Yu" (bath for beautiful skin). Please enjoy the exquisite waters from the Kachōfūgetsu source. Also on the premises of this vast facility are a beauty salon, a massage parlor and a refreshing oxygen room. We offer a relaxing environment for each and every customer. (Please refer to the URL below for more information regarding the facility.)

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!

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).

A museum based on the nature and culture of Namegawa Town and utilized as a center for gathering the latest information on these topics. Research efforts related to the artificial breeding and ecology of the Tokyo bitterling, a freshwater carp native to Japan and designated as a national treasure, are also being made to realize its reintroduction into the wild.

At Saitama Prefecture's largest rice terraces, a rural landscape unique to Japan unfolds with each changing season. Currently, 4 (about 250 fields) out of the total 5.2 hectares are in use. In summer an event is held where around 600 bonfires are lit, for a night of magical ambience one cannot experience in the city. In autumn, the bulbs of around 2 million red spider lilies bloom around the rice paddies.

This district park is known for its stunning lawn of green grass and 18-hole golf course. In addition to the golf course, there is also a children's area, a multipurpose plaza, and a parkway that can be used for jogging and other activities. The park enables people from different generations to meet and enjoy spending a relaxing and healthy time together outdoors.

This is the site of Hatakeyama Shigetada's mansion, which is maintained as a park. In the park there is a five-story pagoda, said to be the grave of Shigetada and his vassals, a well said to be where Shigetada had his first bath after birth, and a bronze statue of Shigetada himself.

The temple was rebuilt by Seigon Shonin at the end of the 16th century and became one of eighteen monk training schools for the Jodo sect. As a temple associated with the Tokugawa Shogunate, the use of the "three-leaf hollyhock crest" was permitted. There are many cultural assets on the temple grounds that tell the ancient history in the present day. They hold the "Ten Nights Memorial Service," one of the three major memorial services in Kanto, every year on November 14, and the "Doll Memorial Service," unique to this town which is known for its hina dolls.

About 12 million poppies bloom in full on this vast slope 500 meters above sea level. The contrast between the red poppies and clear blue sky is a sight to behold. Coinciding with the peak bloom season, the "Poppies in the Sky" (Tenku no Poppy) event is held here, and local gourmet food and specialty products are available for sale. A temporary parking lot is also made available. We hope to see you there!

This is one of the largest flower markets in eastern Japan. There is a guided course through the market facility, allowing visitors to easily observe the auction (Monday/Wednesday/Friday). There is also a restaurant inside the facility.

Just a close 15 minute walk from the station, this popular Hanno City tourist spot is filled with people in the summer. The contrast of the deep green trees with the red Wareiwa Bridge provides an ideal photo background, making this the perfect riverside spot for capturing fun summer memories. Rental BBQ equipment and ingredients are also readily available at nearby stores, so revelers can arrive empty-handed.

This tourist information center is located on the second floor of the station building adjacent to Higashi-Matsuyama Station. Here you can find pamphlets on sightseeing spots and city events, walking maps, and more. City mascot character goods and other local specialty goods are also available for purchase. A pamphlet rack is located in front of the ticket gates of Higashi-Matsuyama Station, allowing you to easily grab what you need on your way to the train.

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.

In the midst of the peaceful Satoyama, get in touch with nature and experience farming hands-on. There is a "Fureai Farm," which visitors can use freely for an annual fee, and the popular "Strawberry Farm," for picking strawberries and other fruits. There are also rice cultivation, digging of bamboo shoots, udon (wheat noodle) making, potato cultivation, Satoyama walk and hiking experiences, and various other events held throughout the year.

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.