Sightseeing Spots

Hana no Oasis (flower oasis) is a park located in the Teraya district, the birthplace of flower production in Konosu. In spring, a tulip festival is held among 40,000 tulips. In autumn, you can enjoy the late-blooming sunflowers.

From this observation deck located at 370 meters, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Yorii Town and the glittering skyline at night. In September, this place is popular for observing the seasonal hawk migration.

Yoshimi Town is dotted with man-made swamps, which are reservoirs built for rice paddy cultivation. Lake Hatcho is one such man-made swamp with an area of about 52,000 square meters. The kanji character for "Ha" can mean both "eight" and "many." Since several "eights" together has a catchy sound, there are historical expressions in the Japanese language which repeat the number eight to mean "many," such as "happyaku yacho" (many towns in Edo) or "happyaku yabashi" (many bridges in Osaka). Lake Hatcho used to be called "Hatcho Hattan no Numa" (one town block and 8,000 sq.meters) as a play on these expressions, but since the surface area of the lake isn't technically that big, this name isn't in use anymore.

From the moment you pass through the Nagaya gate, you will find yourself in an atmosphere of peace and nostalgia in this old traditional house. In the garden, roses are in full bloom, and inside the facility there is a restaurant where visitors can enjoy a meal and a local produce specialty store for buying fresh vegetables. This is the perfect place for a relaxing time.

As spring approaches, the Asian fawn lily blooms throughout the mountains and forests of the Tsuburata district. The area is bustling with hikers during the peak bloom season of late March to early April.

This monument of a golden catfish, the symbol of Yoshikawa City, is proudly displayed in the Yoshikawa Station South Exit rotary on the JR Musashino Line. It welcomes visitors to Yoshikawa City, which promotes itself as the "home of the catfish." It was created by Kazumi Murose, a lacquer artist considered a "national living treasure," and was installed on May 9th, 1995.

Strawberry picking is available from January to May, grape picking from August to October, and sweet potato digging from September to October. You can also enjoy a barbeque along with seasonal fruit picking with a reservation. For larger groups, please contact us at least seven days in advance for reservations. When making a reservation, please note that harvest conditions may vary depending on weather and other factors. Please contact us in advance to inquire about harvest conditions.

This is a long-established rice cracker shop recognized by its large signboard. The cute "namazu sembei (rice cracker)" in the shape of a catfish symbolize Yoshikawa, the home of the catfish, and is a popular souvenir. Another favorite with many repeat customers are the Yoshikawa Chips, made with 100% Yoshikawa-grown rice flour and deep-fried in a secret recipe of soy sauce and vegetable oil. Both products have been certified as premium brands by Yoshikawa City.

This is a unique factory tour facility where you can have fun learning about the world of sweets! You can observe the manufacturing process of Pocky and Pretz up close, learn about chocolate in a fun way, enjoy a quiz tour, see the museum zone where 1500 toys are exhibited, and even take part in a workshop to make your own sweets! This is a spot for not only children but also adults to enjoy through a wide variety of hands-on experiences!

Doukan Omotenashi (hospitality) Plaza provides information on Ogose Town tourist attractions, historical sites, hiking trails, cherry blossom forecasts, and specialty products. Be sure to stop by when visiting Ogose Town!

You can enjoy fruit picking and tasting at this sunny farm located on a south-facing slope. A spectacular view of Mt. Bukō is right in front of you! As a health precaution, we ask that visitors wear a mask and disinfect their hands.

This single-floor wooden house, built using the 'Sukiya' architectural style, has been praised and written about by the Japanese literature researcher Donald Keene. The facility now serves as a place to introduce the Sōka area's culture of tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and classical instruments such as koto and shamisen. Furthermore, the facility is also open as a resting area where visitors can enjoy a cup of tea for a small fee.

At the Hanayoi Glass Studio run by Tamami Sudo, a glass artist who has had numerous exhibitions at famous department stores, you can try your hand at glass blowing and sandblasting (reservations required). Participants receive careful instructions which are easy for even beginners, and the workshops are popular for making wedding anniversary or children's milestone mementos. The stunning works of Tamami Sudo that are on display in the studio.

This historical shrine is said to have been founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin in 849 (Kashō 2). Goshuin (red seal stamps) are also available for visitors.

Behind the precincts of Takaohikone Shrine in Tako, Yoshimi Town, there is a rocky mountain with a great view. If you climb up the mountainside and stomp your feet, you will hear a clomping sound (ponpon). There is a legend regarding this place that goes something like this: Once upon a time, there was a rich man looking for a place to hide his fortune. One day, he paid a visit to Takaohikone Shrine and asked for the best place to hide it. The god told him, "Bury it in this rocky mountain. I will protect it for you." The man felt relieved and buried all his riches in the mountain. Today, the rocky mountain is called Mt. Ponpon and is said to be inhabited by a divine spirit, as a remnant of this story.

The dam constructed on the Arakawa River in Yorii Town is called the "Tamayodo Dam," and the artificial lake created by the Tamayodo Dam is known as “Lake Tamayodo (Tamayodoko).” Visitors can enjoy activities such as canoeing and rafting on this peaceful lake known for its highly transparent water and surrounded by forest. It is also a famous spot for autumn leaves in Yorii Town.

At Umesono, you can buy products made from Ogose's local specialties, ume (plum) and yuzu (Japanese citrus). The central location makes it a popular resting place for hikers and other travelers.

At our product store, locally brewed shochu “Chichibu Nishiki,” liquors and various Chichibu specialty goods are available. You can also try a wide range of alcohols at the tasting area.

This facility provides a place for interaction among those in and outside of the region. The facility has a spacious lawn and a variety of playground equipment that can be freely used by anyone. In addition to renting out the training room and processing room facilities, the Exchange and Experience Center also holds independent projects such as hands-on classes and exhibitions.

Located at the Yoshikawa Station North Exit on the JR Musashino Line, Rappi-Land offers many goods and souvenirs pertaining to Yoshikawa City, the home of the catfish. There is a wide variety of Japanese sweets such as manjyu, dorayaki, monaka, senbei, and even locally produced cola. You will even be greeted by a real catfish! The shop also serves as a tourist information center, so please stop by when you come to Yoshikawa.

Aketo Farmers Market is a direct sales market founded by investments from local farmers who wished to provide fresh vegetables from the production center of "Fukaya" directly to consumers, and is operated by Aketo Farmers' Market Ltd. They sell local agricultural products and processed goods which are manufactured using local ingredients.

This park provides a place for citizens to interact and relax. It utilizes the natural forest to prove a place to enjoy strolling through all four seasons, a water pool for playing, and many other types of equipment for kids to play.

JA Saitama Chuo's Higashi Matsuyama direct sales center "Inahoterasu" is an open building constructed from local wood and natural materials. The name was chosen by the locals with a contest. Inahoterasu symbolizes how the ears of rice (=inaho) will light up (=terasu) a bright future for people. Here you can find a wide variety of souvenirs from Higashimatsuyama City, such as processed pears and chestnuts, yakitori rice crackers, and other snacks!

This facility, marked by its unique outer appearance, is a comprehensive learning facility with a planetarium, astronomical observation room, large-screen displays, hands-on learning rooms and workshops. There is also an attached restaurant, farmers market and the Ukino Miso processing facility. The planetarium was renovated and reopened on March 22nd, 2015. It features the latest monocular ultra-high resolution 8K-compatible digital projector, that can project realistic and powerful images of the starry skies and outer space, giving hope and excitement to people of all ages.