Sightseeing Spots

Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels was built by the collaborative husband and wife artists Iri and Toshi Maruki. Their goal was to create a place where anyone, at any time, could see their collaborative work "The Hiroshima Panels," 15 panels depicting the effects of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In 1966, they moved to Shimo Karako, Higashi Matsuyama City, and the following year, they opened the Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels, where they spent more than 30 years completing all 15 panels. The museum also holds special exhibitions, lectures, concerts, and other events on the theme of war and life.

Here you can buy Ageo City Tourism Association's recommended souvenirs! They also sell tickets for Saitama Ageo Medics and commuter passes for the Tobu and Asahi Buses.

Centering around a permanent exhibit regarding local Asaka introduced under the 4 categories: archaeology, history, folklore, arts and crafts, it is an “environment for learning and being in peace” with events such as special exhibits, exhibits with a particular theme, lectures and trial classes taking place.

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

Reopening in 2021 with the new concept of "a world wrapped in heartwarming happiness." The nostalgic cityscape of the past will be recreated with overwhelming quality, pulling you into the world both through social interactions and food experiences! You can also expect the unexpected with exciting live performances suddenly taking place, further absorbing you in this nostalgic world. In addition, a new attraction has been introduced that offers an immersive and thrilling ride!

This museum is jointly established by Honjo City and Waseda University. The museum traces the history of Honjo City from the Paleolithic period through archaeological materials. In addition to the nationally rare laughing human haniwa (terra-cotta tomb figurine) holding a shield and their complete cast of a small glass ball, visitors can see a variety of valuable materials owned by Waseda University.

The "tanjun (simple)" hot spring, a variety of hot spring common among the top hot springs, can be enjoyed here in a typical Japanese rock style bath. Furthermore, you can enjoy Ganban’ yoku “Rakujyudō”, reclining chairs, and massage machines freely! Other than these, we are equipped with a high-concentration carbonated spring that even gathers attention from the medical industry! This is a luxurious facility to spend a fulfilling day.

We offer tourism information and brochures for sightseeing on the first floor of Pepe Honkawagoe Station of Seibu Shinjuku Line. This is the closest visitor information center to Koedo Kawagoe and the Kurazukuri townscape. In addition, we offer wheelchair rental and baggage storage services (payment required).

From handcrafting Japanese paper to seasonal experiences and workshops related to the Japanese paper, hand-making soba and udon, purchasing specialty goods of Japanese paper and agricultural products. There is also a plentiful food court full of the local village cuisine such as the salted grilled char and oyaki. Furthermore, there is a paper-making house with a thatched roof inside the Japanese garden, which makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time to the Edo period. The area is designed to allow for a relaxing time.

The large park has an area of about 50 hectares. Within the park, there are sports facilities, an athletic field with artificial grass, tennis court, baseball field, along with other facilities such as the outdoor stage, tearoom, and a Japanese garden, making it a base for exchange between sports and culture for the western part of the prefecture. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below.)

The Katakura Silk Commemorative Museum is built in the cocoon warehouse of the Kumagaya Factory, the last silk manufacturing plant of Katakura Industries, and has been recognized as a Heritage of Industrial Modernization by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. To preserve and pass on the 121-year history of the company's silk production, the museum displays the machinery used to produce silk at the Kumagaya Factory, and you can follow the entire process from cocoons to raw silk.

About 12 million poppies are in full bloom on a vast slope 500 meters above sea level. The contrast between the red of the poppies and the clear blue sky is spectacular. During the blooming period, an event called "Poppies in the Sky" will be held, featuring gourmet food from the surrounding area, sales of local specialties, and the opening of a temporary parking lot. We hope to see you there.

This is a facility where one can experience farming that cannot be experienced in the city, such as rice growing and harvesting of vegetables. Start your own rice planting and rice reaping by becoming an owner of a rice field, you can also experience harvesting greenhouse strawberries. Further, inside the site attached to the Kitagawa local museum, there are agricultural tools on display, elaborately devised through the predecessors’ wisdom.

Located on the Nakagawa Riverbed of about 13,000 square meters, the contrast between the 120 pink peach blossoms and yellow rape blossoms is beautiful to see from March to April every year. In autumn, you can enjoy red spider lily and cosmos. In late March every year, the Hanamomo Festival is held, attracting many tourists.

A park with the theme being the world of Scandinavian fairy tales. With the park rich in green, unique buildings that may tickle one’s imagination exists. Moreover, one can play freely in nature whilst feeling the fresh breeze and dappled sunlight, making it a space that brings relaxation to everyone.

During the wisteria season, you can enjoy the beautiful purple descending wisteria in the precincts. Magohachi Honma, who built the temple, spent a night discussing the path of waka poetry with a traveling monk and finally mastered the secrets of waka poetry. According to legend, the monk is said to have been the incarnation of the Goddess of Mercy. The stone Buddha in the Koshinto pagoda on the right side of the hall is one of the few in Chichibu. Collectible seals are available at Chokoji Temple, about 250 meters away.

This is the birthplace of “Kan’ichi Shimofusa”, a musician who produced famous nursery rhymes. It is said that the atmosphere of the old town of Ōtone was imagined when composing songs such as “Tanabatasama”, “Nogiku”, “Hanabi”. And the “Ōtone Koshihikari” is harvested with rich water making it one of the leading “delicious Koshihikari” of Saitama, and is sold as “Dōyō no Furusato Ōtone”.

The nature and the culture of Namegawa town is structured to resemble a museum, with the Eco-Museum Center acting as a hub that provides a wide range of information about Namegawa town. The Tokyo bitterling, a freshwater fish native to Japan, is designated as a national treasure. Research related to its artificial breeding and ecology has been taking place in order to re-introduce the Tokyo bitterling to the wildlife.

The date of its foundation is unknown, but it is said to have been built in the Meiō era between 1492 and 1501, as well as in 1684. It is said that when a Buddhist priest named Genkai visited 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 the warabi (bracken) textile industry of the area. Furthermore, there is a heart-shaped stone that is known to grant visitors success in their pursuit of love.

Enjoy handmade soba, udon, and other set menus that have been popular among the farmers of Ashigakubo for a long time. You can also enjoy strawberry picking. The strawberries are bright red and packed with juicy sweetness. It is located right next to Menya Kinoko Chaya. If you want to pick strawberries, stop by the Menya Kinoko Chaya first. ※ Time limit of 30 minutes per entry ※ Greatly appreciated if you contact us in advance

Jyōshinin Hyakutai Kannon-dō, commonly called, “Sazaedō”, was built to pray for the victims of the great eruption of Mt. Asama in Shinshu that took place in 1783. The corridor has a helical structure, that makes it look as if there are two external layers, however, there are 3 layers internally, making it a unique architectural style. Further, it conforms to Buddhism’s rules of etiquette in which one walks in the right direction thrice to worship. The first layer symbolizes Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) of Chichibu’s 34th holy precincts in the center of the Sei-Kannondō, the second layer symbolizes the Kannon of Bandō’s 33rd holy precincts, and lastly, the third layer symbolizes Kannon of Saikoku’s 33rd holy precincts. The reception for admission is taking place at Honjō City’s Tourism and Agriculture Center.

Start touring the Chichibu region and Yokoze, a place full of nature, from here! Find out more regarding tourist destinations, search out new flavors, find restaurants, lodging. An information office full of vibrant energy ♪ There is also rental cycles and goods of Bukosan, so please feel free to stop by.

Established at the end of Edo’s Kaei period (1850), Japanese sake, ume liqueur, sake lees are sold at the old-fashioned sake brewery and Taishō period’s store. A cozy experience that can only be enjoyed at a small brewery. In the case of touring the brewery, you will get a small sake cup as a present. The taste of various alcohols kept at different temperatures can be compared, with games for sake tasting on the menu. Please consult with us regarding the content of the experience along with the price range. Tours are not based on a particular season, however, the sake is prepared during the winter. It may be difficult to tour during the periods in which sake is prepared.

The largest Taiwanese Shinto shrine in Japan. The gorgeous structure is worth seeing. The spiral ceiling assembled without any nails, the Kowloon stone pillar of 5 meters, a door of 4 meters with wood carvings of the god of military arts, and a coffered ceiling with dragons. Taiwan’s authentic worship and fortune slip can be experienced here.