Sightseeing Spots

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.

During wisteria season, you can enjoy vines of purple wisteria flowers descending from the trees in the precincts of Gokado Temple on Mt. Ogawa. Magohachi Honma, who built the temple, spent a night discussing the art of waka poetry with a traveling monk to finally master its secrets, and thus named the temple "Gokado" (words and songs temple). According to legend, the monk was said to have been the incarnation of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. The stone Buddha in the Koshinto pagoda on the right side of the hall is one of few existing in Chichibu. Collectible goshuin seals are available at Chokoji Temple, about 250 meters away.

Mizuko Kaizuka Park covers roughly 40,000 square meters and was built to protect and utilize a historically designated site of midden (ancient waste collection spots) significant to the first half of the Jomon period (approximately 5500 to 6500 years ago). The size of the site represents the original ancient village, a path spanning 582 meters encircles the park, and 5 pit-houses (shelter houses built into the ground) and the Jomon era forest which surrounded the village have been restored. At the exhibition hall, excavated dwelling sites have been replicated, demonstrating how the ancient people lived at that time utilizing the midden. There is also an adjoining archive museum displaying artifacts unearthed from the city's ruins, with stone tools from the Paleolithic era roughly 30,000 years ago, designated cultural property Jomon pottery (nicknamed “flying squirrel-shaped pottery” ) unearthed from the ruins of Hazawa, an iron sword and a glass bead from the beginning of the Kofun period, and numerous other artifacts representing the primitive and ancient times of Fujimi City.

Selected as one the top 100 locations in Saitama, the Mt. Hakuun (Hakuun-san) Torii Kannon temple covers an area of around 30 hectares (the size of 6.5 Tokyo Domes) in Okumusashi/Naguri, where founder Yataro Hiranuma spent over 30 years erecting buildings in various places on the mountain. In addition to the symbolic Kusei Kannon (Goddess of Salvation) on the mountain summit, there is also the main hall, Gyokkamon Gate, Niomon Gate, Great Bell Tower, Heiwa Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), and notably the Genjo Sanzo Tower, famous for enshrining the remains of Genjo Sanzo, a Buddhist priest who appears in the famous Chinese novel "Journey to the West."

Reopened in April 2021 as a tourism and souvenir center! This store has a modern Japanese atmosphere that stays true to Gyoda City, which has been recognized as a Japanese Heritage site. There are a wide range of 150 different types of products available for sale from around 50 brands, including local goods such as fashionably designed tabi (split-toed socks), Minamikawara slippers made of colorful fabrics from Africa and other foreign countries, "Gyoda no gyoza" (dumplings) made from local flour, Narazuke pickles, Jumangoku Manju (steamed bun), Wataboku Milk, and more. So can also rent bicycles here, so be sure to stop by on your way to sightseeing.

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.

The Iruma City Cultural Creation Atelier is commonly known as “AMIGO!” In Spanish, "amigo" means “friend” or “fellow.” The name reflects the effort we put into providing enjoyable activities for everyone at our facility. The exclamation point emphasizes the sharing of information and forming of new friendships! We strive towards our goals with passion and a hard-working attitude, leading activities related to dyeing and textiles.

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.

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 fishing pond is very accessible, located approximately 9 kilometers (about 15 minutes) from the Higashi Matsuyama Interchange of the Kan-Etsu Expressway and roughly 5 kilometers (about 10 minutes) from the Ranzan-Ogawa Interchange. The pond is encircled by beautiful nature and has a surface area of roughly 11,600 square meters. On Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy handmade udon made with local flour and buy locally grown vegetables at the farmer’s restaurant.

With a height of 305 meters, this charming little mountain is a familiar symbol of Hidaka City. There are hiking courses with a variety of terrains, including a gentle slope for beginners and a rocky slope for the veteran climber. At the top of the mountain is a Japanese Hokyointo Pagoda and the entire area of Hidaka City is visible from here. On a clear day, you can even see the skyscrapers of Shinjuku and the Tokyo Sky Tree towering in the distance.

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.

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.

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!

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 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."

A temple for safe childbirth and child-rearing, and protection from evil. The main deity of the temple, Nyoirin Kannon, or Cintamanicakra, is said to be the God of Mercy and Wisdom, who holds a wish-fulfilling jewel that removes evil and purifies the clouded mind, relieves suffering, and bestows prosperity by giving gold and silver treasures. In the precincts of the temple are three Muromachi period (1336-1573) blue stone pagodas of the three Amitabha images and a mound of letters from the first year of the Hoei era, in which women wrote down their wishes and deposited them.

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).

Tokigawa Town, prosperous in local lumber production, is one of the largest producer of wood fixtures in the Kanto region. While our shop focuses on wood fixtures, we also sell furniture, handicrafts and agricultural products made with warmth and care by our master craftspeople. We also accept consultations for made to order wood fixtures and furniture. How about owning your own one-of-a-kind item?

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.

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.

This campsite is surrounded by trees and located in the ravine alongside the Tokigawa River. The facility is well-equipped with a building for cooking, showers and restrooms, making it a safe place to have fun camping. Japanese salmon and char fish swim in the nearby shallow river, giving visitors an up-close-and-personal experience with the great outdoors.

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.

Hanazono Forest is a sweets theme park modeled after a quiet European mansion, just two minutes away from Hanazono Interchange by car. Baumkuchen, sweets and souvenirs perfect as gifts, cakes and gelato specially selected by pastry chefs, freshly baked bread and outlet products are also available. Enjoy your favorite pastry or bread while strolling in the vast, beautiful rose garden.