Sightseeing Spots

The ruins of Matsuyama Castle, once a superb flatland-mountain castle in the Kitamusashi region, have been designated as a prefectural historical site since 1925. In 2008, the ruins of Sugaya yakata (Ranzan Town), which had already been designated as a national historic site, were joined by the ruins of Sugiyama Castle (Ranzan Town) and Kokura Castle (Tokigawa, Ranzan, and Ogawa Town) to form the Hiki Castle Ruins Group, which now is designated as a national historic site. The castle is surrounded by a swampy area formed by the Ichino River, which creates a natural barrier.

Anraku-ji Temple is the 11th temple in Bando and has been known as Yoshimi Kannon since ancient times. The main deity of the temple is the Holy Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the deity of compassion, and according to the Yoshimi Kannon Enki, it all started about 1200 years ago when a statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva was carved and placed in the rock cave. Every year on June 18, the Kannon is unveiled in the early morning to the public to ward off evil spirits. As a tradition, they also sell special "Yakuwake Dango (literally dumplings to ward off evil)" on this day. Even to this day, on June 18th, the long approach to Anraku-ji Temple is lined with stalls, and the area becomes very crowded from around 2 am to early morning.

This roadside station is designed to resemble a strawberry castle and is aimed at families with tons of places for children to play. Processed goods such as fresh dorayaki made from strawberries grown in Yoshimi are available for purchase. It is also a popular place to take a break while enjoying delicious soft ice cream.

This facility, located right next to the west exit of Ogose Station, is used by many people for resting, as a rendezvous point for hiking, buying souvenirs, and snacks (rice balls, pizza, coffee, juice, etc.). You can also catch a free shuttle bus to O Park Ogose from in front of this facility.

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.

Doukan Omotenashi (hospitality) Plaza provides information on tourist attractions, historical sites, hiking trails, flowering information, and special products in Ogose Town. Make sure to stop by when you visit Ogose Town!

About 1500 Hydrangea plants, in Japan known as Ajisai, are in bloom along the 3-kilometer long road, and you can enjoy the clean air and the chirping of birds while being surrounded by nature.

On both sides of the stone steps of Godaison, where five statues of Myoo, the god of wisdom, stand proudly, old trees that are said to have been planted more than 350 years ago are blooming. The adjacent Azalea park is one of the best Azalea viewing spots in the Kanto region, with about 10000 azaleas in full bloom.

Yamabuki no Sato is associated with Ota Doshan, a famous Japanese poet. In spring, about 2500 golden Kerria japonica, commonly known as Japanese rose, swaying in the spring breeze match the water mill hut, creating a tasteful atmosphere.

What used to be a forested mountain has been reborn through 10 years of hard work as a flower garden dedicated to Mitsuba tsutsuji, or Rhododendron dilatatum. At the beginning of April, about 2500 flowers bloom creating a stunning world of floral beauty!

Sakuranoyama Park has about 300 Someiyoshino cherry trees that display their full beauty as they bloom in early April. At the top of the "mountain park," there is an observation deck where you can look out over the Saitama-Shintoshin area. On the second Saturday of May every year, a big fireworks display is held.

This natural hot spring was opened in June 2021 in Aeon Town Yoshikawa Minami, with the theme of ''taste, pleasure, beauty, and health. There are three types of indoor baths, a reclining bath, and an outdoor bath. After taking a bath, you can enjoy the food by sushi producer Kanazawa Maimon and the sweets of Le Chocolat de H by chocolatier Hironobu Tsujiguchi in the food court attached to the spa.

Free rental bicycles are available at the Number 1 Bicycle Parking Lot, only a two-minute walk from the north exit of Yoshikawa Station on the JR Musashino Line. Feel free to use them to explore the city!

A well-established Japanese sweets shop in Yoshikawa City that has been in business for 60 years. It was relocated to the backside of Yoshikawa Shrine and reopened in 2019. The famous "Namazu Manju" made with homemade red bean paste, which is rare nowadays, is a perfect souvenir. We also recommend the "Namazu Monaka," which allows you to compare the lean and coarse red bean paste and the freshly made dumplings you can enjoy in the store.

This is a long-established rice cracker shop known for 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, is 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.

At the Hanayo Glass Studio of Tamami Sudo, a glass blowing artist who has done exhibitions at numerous famous department stores, you can try your hand at glass blowing and sandblasting (reservations required). The studio is popular, both for the thorough instructions that make it enjoyable for anyone, as well as the fact that you make a memento that you can bring with you home. You can also enjoy the stunning works of Tamami Sudo that are on display in the studio.

In 1187, the Yoshikawa clan reestablished the indigenous deity of Suwa shrine as the guardian deity of the Yoshikawa Shrine. The precincts of the shrine also include a Yasaka Shrine, Furumine Shrine, Inari Shrine, Matsuo Shrine, Yoshikawa Tenmangu Shrine, Suijingu Eight Great Dragons, and Shikatou Daimyojin. The old Shimotsuma Highway runs behind the shrine, and the large bay and camphor trees in the front and back parts of the precincts tell us that this is a shrine with a long history. Every year in July, the Yasaka Festival, which has a history of about 400 years, is held. The highlight is the "mikoshi," portable shrines that are carried and thrown high above the heads of the bearers.

Located only a 5-minute walk from Yoshikawaminami Station on the JR Musashino Line. This is the largest park in Yoshikawa City. From Miharashi Hill, you can see the adjacent pond and multipurpose plaza. There is also a playground with a variety of equipment which can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

Cherry trees that have sprouted from the seeds of the Jindai cherry tree in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, which traveled in space with astronaut Koichi Wakata in 2008, were planted in Seki Park on the 6th of April 2019, through the Kibou (Hope) Cherry Blossom Project, which aims to plant cherry trees in municipalities affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. In Yoshikawa City, the planting of the trees came about as a result of (1) children communicating with astronaut Kanai Yoshishige in space, (2) dispatching staff to Iitate Village in Fukushima Prefecture, which was evacuated after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and (3) passing on the damage caused by Typhoon Kathleen about 70 years ago to future generations. The Sakura Festival is held every March at Seki Park.

Just a minute's walk from the station, the natural hot spring water gushes out from 1500 meters underground and is said to be a sodium chloride strong salt hot spring, which is very gentle on the skin. It is also popular for its medicinal water containing natural herbal medicines. In 2020, a new footbath named "Namazu no Ashiyu (The catfish's footbath)" was opened, and it has become a popular new tourist spot in Yoshikawa City.

This park, which is unique in the prefecture due to its skateboard and basketball area and its outdoor stage, was made possible after a young man attending the coming-of-age ceremony contacted the mayor of the city. During heavy rains, the park becomes a regulating pond to reduce flooding damage to nearby houses.

From the top of the park's symbol, the 16-meter high "Yoshikawa Mount Fuji," you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. On a clear day, you can see the Tokyo Sky Tree and, if you're lucky, even the real Mount Fuji! Most of the park is covered with a green lawn making the park feel spacious and open.

Located at the north exit of Yoshikawa Station on the JR Musashino Line, Rappi-Land offers a wide variety of goods and souvenirs related to the city of Yoshikawa, the home of the catfish. There is a wide variety of Japaese 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.

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