Sightseeing Spots

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.

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 strawberry farm is located in the peaceful landscape of Ashigakubo in Chichibu. Located on a hill, the view is fantastic! Please enjoy the sweet and juicy strawberries grown in our carefully maintained soil☆

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.

This is the main shrine of Konosu City, where the legend of the konotori (stork), also believed to be the origin of the cities name, has been handed down to this day. In 1873, Raiden Shrine, Kumano Shrine, and Hikawa Shrine were combined to form Kou Shrine. At the end of the year, they hold a Tori no Ichi fair (festival celebrating good fortune and business prosperity).

This farmers market sells mainly local agricultural products and specialty goods and functions as a hub for agricultural promotion and regional revitalization. In addition to local agricultural products, handicrafts and processed goods from both in and outside of the prefecture are available. The store has an dine-in space where you can enjoy food and drink, and there is also a spacious lawn. In the future, they plan to offer a rental kitchen where anyone can make sweets and side dishes to sell.

These marshes have been made more visitor-friendly through improving the habitat (biotope). A well-loved fishing spot, many people come to fish throughout the year.

This old rest facility made from local cedar and cypress wood was renovated and reopened on May 16th, 2018 as "Oyasumi Dokoro" (the rest spot). They sell local products such as Sōka Senbei (rice crackers) and provide plenty of tourist information, making it a great starting place for any traveler in the area.

Said to be one of the oldest artifacts in Saitama Prefecture, the ruins of this kiln date back to the 7th century. It has been designated a historical spot of Saitama Prefecture. It was once thought to be a tile kiln created for the establishment of Musashi Kokubunji Temple, however after careful inspection of an excavated tile, it was discovered that the kiln was created for the establishment of Saguro Temple in Sakado.

A shell midden (refuse mound) from the first half of the Jyōmon period (about 7,000 years ago). At this time in history, the climate was warmer and the ocean was more inland compared to now. The mound mainly consists of the Japanese basket clams that inhabit the brackish waters of the region, but there are also shells of the Japanese littleneck clam, common Orient clam, and blood clam. The mound is located behind the Kannon statue in the fifth temple of the Adachi Bandō pilgrimage route.

A shrine dedicated to the mythological god of agriculture, Takamimusubi. The shrine was destroyed by fire in 1590, and rebuilt by the lord of Oshi Castle, Abe Masayoshi. Annual festivals are held, such as Setsubun (seasonal division) on February 3rd, Tainai Kuguri (passing through the womb) on June 30th, and Tori no Ichi (Festival of the Rooster) on December 8th.

Fukaya Green Park was opened in Fukaya City in July of 1996 as a government-subsidized project of the Ministry of Agriculture aiming to promote agriculture and stabilize and strengthen management, while also contributing to citizens’ health and physical fitness. The park covers an area of 54,000sq m, around the size of Tokyo Dome. It consists of an indoor facility, Paradise Patio (known as “Patio”), and many large and small plazas, such as grass lawn plazas. Patio (area 7,769sq m) is designed after south European and Mediterranean coastal resorts, and features the largest all-weather indoor leisure pool in the north Kanto area. The park’s large flowerbeds (1,157 sq m) filled with flowers are another highlight.

A brewery which holds a prefectural record for winning the gold medal at the Annual Japan Sake Awards for 8 consecutive years. Matsuoka Brewery originated when first generation brewer Matsuoka Emon, in search of higher quality water, moved his brewery from Niigata to Ogawamachi. The brewing water sourced from the Chichibu mountains has a higher concentration of minerals, pumped from a source 130 meters underground. At our brewery tour (reservation required), visitors can view the brewing warehouse, learn about the sake brewing process and enjoy a sake tasting. The Daiginjo (super premium sake) ice cream available at the brewery direct sales shop is a hit with children and adults alike. There is also a brewery restaurant, “Shofuan,” adjacent to the facility.

The Tokaen garden was originally located on the grounds of Renge-in, a Buddhist temple of Shingon sect. After the temple was abandoned in 1864 by its head priest, Kozo Fujioka, it was transferred to its current owner. According to legend, the wisteria here were personally planted by Kobo Daishi* nearly 1,200 years ago. *Also known as Kukai, Kobo Daishi was the monk who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism.

AEON Lake Town is one of the largest shopping malls in Japan, with over 700 specialty shops and Aeon Style grocery store located in three buildings: kaze, mori and outlet.

Constructed in 1721 and the largest private residence in the prefecture, this residence features a hip-and-gable thatched roof demonstrating the age of the building, and has been designated a National Important Cultural Property. The building measures 21.8 meters in length and 10.5 meters between beams. Visitors can sit around the sunken hearth (irori) and enjoy old-fashioned udon (wheat noodles), dango (rice dumplings) and other foods.

Come visit a key piece of shrine history in Japan! The city name Omiya, is actually derived from the presence of this very old and famous shrine, it’s full name being Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Jinja. This is one of the oldest and most significant shrines in the Kanto region, with an impressive history of over 2,000 years! That even tops the most popular shrines in Kyoto! Very popular for the locals during seasonal events, this shrine is a central part of Omiya’s history and culture. While the bustling festival atmosphere during the new year or summer seasons is a thrill, the quiet serenity of low-traffic seasons and weekdays makes for a more mystical experience. Be sure to pick up a good luck charm for a souvenir from one the most historic shrines around.

The main hall (Kannon-do), built in 1697, has been designated as a tangible cultural property of Saitama Prefecture. The carvings on the front balustrade, 'Jigoku no zu' and 'Gokuraku no zu', are magnificent. The main hall enshrines the deity Otasuke Kannon, who is said to help people out of their troubles and suffering. The Great Ceremony held every year on 24 August in the Shishoku Shokudo to the right of the main hall is also famous. It is a very lively gathering of monks from Chichibu, regardless of denomination. This event is famous as one of the three major offerings in the Kanto region, along with the Gyokusoin no Daisegaki in Saitama City and the Dojo Shigaki in Eifukuji in Sugito-cho, Kitakatsushika-gun.