Sightseeing Spots

Around 200 flowers bloom here during peak season. Based on analysis, this is an ancient variety of the lotus flower, and while the exact age cannot be determined, it is estimated to be a variety from the Heian period, around 1,200 years ago. The best time to see them is around early to late July, when the flowers begin to bloom at around 5AM. Since the pond is located in the middle of a residential area, please keep quiet when visiting.

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).

You can experience indigo dyeing, choosing between a handkerchief or bringing in a small item of your own! Dyeing experience participants are also free to visit the adjoined archive museum.

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.

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 museum exhibits the collection of pictures and sculptures owned by art collector Tabei Jinichi. In addition to the exhibitions of famous painters, the artworks of artist Konoki Mioku are also permanently exhibited.

This is the birthplace of “Kan’ichi Shimofusa,” a musician and producer of many famous nursery rhymes. It is said that the atmosphere of the old town of Ōtone was his inspiration when composing songs such as “Tanabatasama,” “Nogiku” and “Hanabi.” “Ōtone Koshihikari” rice, harvested with plentiful water and one of the leading varieties “delicious Koshihikari” rice from Saitama, is sold here as “Dōyō no Furusato Ōtone" (hometown of nursery rhymes, Ōtone).

Harvesting experience events are held throughout the year, with tomato and strawberry picking in the spring, eggplant and blueberry picking in the summer, chestnut picking and sweet potato digging in the autumn, and harvesting broccoli, onions, and radishes in the winter. Also, barbecue, camping (mess kit for rice making), and Kazo City’s famous handmade udon workshops are available. From late March to the end of November, there are stage shows of popular children's characters such as Pretty Cure, Kamen Rider and Anpanman. The shows take place on the outdoor stage on clear weather days, and inside the family building hall on rainy days.

Our rice crackers (senbei) are available from a purchase of one cracker. We have more than 30 flavors available. Our senbei are individually wrapped to make them easier to eat, and gifts and seasonal Japanese sweets are also available. There is an “Inauguration Festival” in mid-April, a “Thanksgiving Festival” in mid-October, and a “Thank You Fair” at the end of June and November.

The waters of this hot spring contain no sodium, classifying it as a "simple" alkaline hot spring, a rarity in the Kanto region. The color of the water is dark brown but sparkles gold when hit by sunlight. Soaking in the hot spring will make your skin smooth, and you are guaranteed to have a relaxing time.

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.

These twelve cities and towns and thirteen places of scenic beauty related to Matsuo Bashō’s “Oku no Hosomichi” have been recognized as influencing the scenery and lives of future generations, while preserving the elegance and atmosphere of ancient times. Collectively, these areas have been appointed as one of the top scenic spots in the country.

Enjoy natural hot spring open-air baths and Ganban yoku (hot stone baths) made from black silica, just a few of the ten unique baths prepared to wash your fatigue away. Enjoy a relaxing meal or foot bath surrounded by a traditional townscape that will make you feel like you have traveled back in time. In addition, there are many refreshment rooms for massage and body scrub treatments, allowing for maximum leisure! Enjoy “healing and moisture” to your heart’s content.

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.

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.

Many valuable cultural properties are stored here, such as the “Sakitama Kofun" (megalith tombs) built between the late 5th century and early 7th century and the national treasure “Musashi Sakitama Inariyama Kofun Artifact." At this facility you can also climb both the Inariyama Kofun and Maruhakayama Kofun. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below.)

Atarashii Mura, or The New Village, is an agriculture-themed tourist facility. There is a market in the facility called "Mori no Ichiba Yui" that sells fresh vegetables produced by the local farmers of Atarashii Mura. There is also a cafe called "Mori no Cafe," where visitors can enjoy a drink or light meal. Lastly, at the facility, "Noh no Ie," they host hands-on experiences and lectures on agriculture and food, offer facility rentals, and have an herb garden of more than 100 different species where hands-on harvesting experiences for lavender and mint are available. They also grown their own rice, a popular product.

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."

This spot located nearby Ōshi Castle is famous for its water hyacinth. The park's Blue Lake (Aoi no Ike) displays beautiful water hyacinth when in season. The square is also known for its 200 cherry blossom trees. There is also the "Literary Monument of a Country Teacher“ (Inaka Kyōshi-no Bungakuhi) of Katai Tayama. A verse from the book Inaka Kyōshi, “The road to Yori was long…,” is engraved on the monument.

This is a private museum exhibiting ’Shishimai' (traditional lion dance), featuring authentic lion masks, costumes, documentation, performance videos from all over the country and local toys related to the lion.

In 1187, the Yoshikawa clan reestablished this shrine as the Ujigami Suwa Shrine for indigenous deities. The shrines within the precincts include Yasaka Shrine, Furumine Shrine, Inari Shrine, Matsuo Shrine, Yoshikawa Tenmangu Shrine, Suijingu Eight Great Dragons, and Shikato Daimyojin. The old Shimotsuma Highway runs behind the shrine, and a Japanese bay tree in front of the precincts and a large camphor tree in the rear tell the shrine's long history. Every July, the shrine holds the Yasaka Festival, which has a history of about 400 years. The highlight is the "abare mikoshi," portable shrines that are carried and thrown high above the heads of the bearers for a spectacular sight.

Gyōda Hachiman Shrine is called “Fūji no Miya" (Palace of Sealing) for its secret prayer method which is believed to help children sleep, prevents nervousness, cancer, diseases, bad habits and dementia in the elderly. In the precincts, there is a “shrine of the eyes,” the Kasamori Inari Shrine which enshrines the god of eczema and beautiful skin, along with “Okuninushi Shrine” that enshrines Oshi Castle’s 7 lucky gods. Recently, the “nade momo” (patting peach) is said to be a place for spiritual energy, and is famous for the god of warding off suffering from illness and misfortune.

At the Haniwa building located inside the Saitama Kofun Group, anyone can experience making their own Haniwa with the help of an instructor. Creating a Haniwa takes 3 steps: molding for 90 to 120 minutes, drying for about a month, and finally heating the Haniwa in the kiln located inside the building for around 7 hours at 800℃. Once the Haniwa is completed, it can either be retrieved in person or be delivered and paid for on arrival.