Sightseeing Spots

This facility was built in 2006 for "farmers and merchants" as a center for regional revitalization. The shelves are lined with fresh vegetables and locally processed foods. Please visit here for inquiries related to use of the nearby “Kawa no Hiroba BBQ" (river sqaure BBQ area). Our mascot character "Norabitan," based on the local delicacies Norabō-na (Norabō greens) and Ao-Nasu (blue eggplant), is waiting together with us for your next visit!

The Nanbata Castle Park Museum is located in the middle of a long and narrow park, straddled by divisions of east and west sides, with a replica of the Nanbata Castle in the "Shiroato Zone" on the east side, and relocated kominka (old residences) in the "Kominka Zone" on the west side. In the "Shiroato Zone" are the restored enclosure, water moat and earthwork mounds of the Nanbata Castle from the Sengoku Period. Visitors can enjoy the changing seasonal scenery of the water lilies and other wetland plants growing in the water moat. In the “Kominka Zone” are two relocated and restored early Meiji period private residences and the gate of a townhouse that are designated city cultural properties. Annexes such as a granary (kokugura), library (bunkogura) and barn (naya) were newly built to replicate Fujimi City's nostalgic farmhouse scenery. In the granary, visitors can watch videos about local performing arts and the restoration of the old farmhouses. The regional exchange facility, "Chokkura," is also connected to the building, where visitors can purchase local produce and souvenirs.

This is a tourist information center located in Honjō Station of JR Takasaki Line. Visitors can obtain tourist pamphlets and information regarding the city and purchase Honjō City’s souvenirs. Sweets and Japanese goods recommended by the Honjō City Tourism Association and Honjō Kasuri silk are also available.

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!

The original Kisai Castle was a one-story building enclosed by earthworks and walls, and it was restored as a castle with an impressive keep. Local collections of the unearthed artifacts and historical collections found through the excavations of the Kisai region are displayed in the exhibition room.

As the 10th sacred site on the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, this temple has been worshipped since ancient times. During the Sengoku period, the temple was used as the main camp for the Takeda forces during their siege of Matsuyama Castle. After passing through the rows of houses which once hid throngs of visitors, you will arrive at Niomon Gate. Climbing up the stone steps, you can see the city’s oldest bell tower and a wooden temple dedicated to Kannon, as well as a large Ginkgo tree. ※ Seasonal Info: The leaves of the giant ginkgo tree, estimated to be over 700 years old, turn a spectacular yellow color in early December every year.

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!

Our tea factory holds tours, and we lead tea picking experiences during the new tea season (around May 20th, end of June). There is also a direct sales office where you can buy our products cheaper than in regular stores (10% off bags of tea leaves, some products are excluded).

Built in 1896, this brick warehouse supported Honjō's silk industry with the storage of cocoons and silk. It is a nationally registered tangible cultural property.

This sake brewery guards traditional techniques that have been in use 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 in contact with the history and tradition of Japanese sake!

This is a newly developed park in Hatoyama Town, with two large fir trees designated as “Hatoyama Town Scenic Trees." There is also the Midoyama near the entrance, the adjoining 88 temples of Takanokura and the yew oak of Hachiman Shrine, designated as a natural treasure by the town, allowing visitors to enjoy the “four seasons” of Hatoyama.

This brewery was established in 1805 when Omi merchant, Shoemon Yokota, traveled from Edo to Gyoda City in search of good water. The area closest to Tone River and Arakawa River was found to have plentiful groundwater and this brewery continues to produce exquisite sake made from it. Employing Nanbu-style brewing techniques, known for producing a high quality Ginjo sake, they produce sake in which one can taste the spirit of the brewer, a highly regarded "sake of excellence."

Okegawajuku, home to cultural properties such as Takemura Ryokan (former Hatago) and the residences of the Shimamura and Kobayashi families, is reminiscent of the past Nakasendo post town. The safflower, Okegawa's specialty, brought wealth and culture to Okegawajuku, and can be seen at the Okegawa Inari Shrine on the stone lanterns donated by safflower merchants.

Hikawakuwa Shrine has been a local favorite since its establishment during the Edo period. In addition to the main shrine, the grounds include two halls dedicated to the god of learning, Tenjin, and Chinese philosopher, Zhu Xi. There is also a shrine monument to the life of Unmuro, the Hall of Prince Shotoku, and the Sengen Shrine.

The Saitama Museum of Rivers is an experience-oriented comprehensive museum centering around the Arakawa river with the theme of water and the livelihood of people.

Your tour of the Chichibu region and nature-filled Yokoze starts here! Find out more about tourist destinations, seek out new flavors, and find all the information you need for restaurants and lodging. It's an information office full of vibrant energy ♪ There are also rental cycles and Mt. Buko goods for sale, so please feel free to stop by!

"Musenyama, KDDI Forest" is number thirteen of the fourteen designated Green Trust Conservation sites in Saitama. Located on the eastern edge of Ōmiya Plateau, the area consists mainly of jolcham oak and other deciduous broad-leaved trees. On the west side, there is also a row of Yoshino cherry blossom trees that attract many people in the spring. There was once a station for wireless transmission belonging to KDDI Corporation located here. As a result, the mountain area was nicknamed "Musenyama" (the wireless mountain), by locals.

Located right next to the Kamisato Smart IC, this store is packed with fresh produce representative of 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 there are 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 which attract many lunchtime visitors from near and far.

A roadside station with a full view of Watarase-yusuichi (a vast wetland and vibrant wildlife habitat). There is a facility selling products such as Koshihikari brand rice, grown on the fertile land of Kitakawabe area, and fresh local vegetables such as the Momotarō tomato. The richly flavored handmade soba available at the farm restaurant is also very popular, with many repeat customers. This new attraction is very unique to Japan as it straddles three prefectures, resulting in the roadside station being responsible for its overall promotion.

The Hachimanyama Kofun (Mount Hachiman megalith tomb) in Gyoda City is the main tomb of the group of Wakakodama tombs found in this area. Restored in 1981, it is estimated to have been built in the 7th century and has a diameter of 80 meters. The “Urushi Nuri Mokkan" (lacquered wooden casket) was excavated from the stone hut in almost perfect condition, with those buried inside assumed to have been people of power. It is called “Kanto-no-Ishibutai" (the stone stage of Kanto) because it is similar to the Ishibutai Kofun (stone stage tomb) at Asukamura of Nara Prefecture.

This black water (kuro-yu) hot spring, distinct to the Kanto area, is located along the National Route 4 bypass. In addition to the hot spring baths flowing directly from the source, you can enjoy jet baths, salt saunas, high-temperature saunas, medicated baths and utaseyu (striking water baths).

Henjoin Temple was founded in 1394 during the Muromachi period Oei Era (1394). The main deity of the temple is the Great Sage Fudo Myoo. He is believed to take the form of pure anger in order to guide those whose sins are so deep that they can't be brought on the right path in any other way. He is worshipped as a Buddha who fulfills wishes, prevents disasters, and provides wealth.

Jōshinin Hyakutai Kannon-dō, commonly called “Sazaedō,” was built to mourn the victims of the great volcanic eruption of Mt. Asama in 1783. The architecture has a rare helical structure with two exterior layers and a three-layer interior spiral corridor, enabling worshippers to practice the Buddhist etiquette of walking around a corridor three times in a clockwise direction (unyosanso). The first layer enshrines the Kannon of the Chichibu Sacred Site No. 34, the second layer enshrines the Kannon of the Bando Sacred Site No. 33, and the third layer enshrines the Kannon of the Saikoku Sacred Site No. 33. The reception desk is located at the Honjo City Tourism and Agriculture Center.

This small, charming hill of approximately 4 hectares has been maintained by local residents and volunteers as 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.