Sightseeing Spots

Chichibu Festival Museum exhibits materials related to the booths and kasaboko (combined umbrella and halberd carried on floats in some festivals) of the Chichibu night festival that takes place every year on the 2nd and 3rd of December. The booths, kasaboko, curtain, sculptures made by Shōwa’s master craftsmen are arranged in a design related to the Myōken belief. At noon, the lanterns are switched on to reproduce the night festival. Within the noise of the palatial Chichibu booth music, the luxurious booth and kasaboko can be seen right before your eyes.

This is a ropeway installed at an altitude of 497 meters in Mt. Hodōsan, connecting a total length of 832 meters from Sanroku Station to Sanchō Station in 5 minutes. The two gondolas go back and forth between Sanchō Station and Sanroku Station in reverse and are operated under a four-line crossing system. Further, the gondolas’ names: “The Bambi” and “The Monkey I” both originate from the popular Japanese macaque and deer at the small zoo of Mt. Hodōsan.

The border for three prefectures lies across Tochigi Prefecture’s Tochigi City, Gunma prefecture’s Itakura Town, Saitama Prefecture’s Kazo City (around the Kitakawabe region), and comes together right at a rice field approximately 500 meters in the southeast of Roadside Station Kitakawabe. The border for the three prefectures used to be placed inside the Watarasegawa River, however, due to the restoration works of the river during the periods of Meiji and Taishō, the location has changed to the current river channel. From January to March of 2016, land measurements were carried out by Tochigi City, Itakura Town, and Kazo City. From these results, an old stake made from concrete was confirmed as the definite point of intersection for the three prefectures. Brochure introducing the boundary for the three prefectures

Located by the roadside station, Lake Yanaka (Watarase Retarding Ground) can be fully viewed. There is a facility selling products such as the brand rice, Koshihikari, which is grown in the fertile land of Kitakawabe area, and fresh local vegetables such as the Momotarō tomato. Further, at the farm restaurant, the handmade soba with its deep flavors is popular, with many visitors coming back for more. This new attraction is unique in Japan since it crosses into three prefectures, resulting in the roadside station being responsible for its overall promotion.

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”.

Although the historical Kisai Castle was a one-story building enclosed by earthworks and walls, it was restored as a castle with an impressive keep. Many of the unearthed artifacts and historical collections found through the excavations of the Kisai region are displayed in the exhibition room for local collections.

This is a museum for the classics of the Rolls Royce and the Bentley, in which the Bentley was beloved by Jirō Shirasu and the Rolls Royce by the former prime minister, Shigeru Yoshida. See the door open and close, hear the sound of the engine, and come into contact with the running figure of the car; the power of these once active famous cars can be felt to this day.

This is a museum that exhibits the collection of pictures and sculptures owned by Tabei Jinichi. Along with the exhibition of famous painters, the artworks of artist, Konoki Mioku, is permanently exhibited.

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.

Center for Environmental Science in Saitama is a core institution of environmental sciences with the environmental education center and the national institute for environmental studies combined into one. We offer various opportunities for the citizens of the prefecture to study the environment through exhibitions and a range of events. With the renewal construction completed in 2020, a new exhibition hall “Sai Kankan” has been added. Please come and see the changes for yourself! An eye-catching renewal! Sai Kankan Dome. A large video screen, covering your entire field of vision! There are two sections: “A Chapter on the Earth’s Environment”, which takes on the issues of the environment on a global scale, and “A Chapter on the Biological Environment”, which takes on environmental issues that take place close to us through a dragonflies perspective. There are 42 seats available.

Starting with the planetarium and the astronomical observation room, there are apparatuses for large images and trial study rooms along with a workshop making it a comprehensive learning facility marked with a unique appearance. It is established next to the restaurant, farmers' market, and the facility for processing Ukino Miso. In addition, the planetarium reopened on March 22nd of 2015 after renovating. With the latest monocular ultra-high resolution 8K compatible digital projector, starry skies and images of space are projected with reality and power that can evoke dreams and emotions in young and old alike.

This is the village shrine of Ōsawa. It is said to be the Katori Shrine from Saishiro which was transferred here. The establishment is mentioned as Ōei era (1394 to 1428) in the “Meisaichō”. Given that the vicinity belonged to Shimo-usa-no-kuni in medieval times, the Shimo-usa-no-kuni Ichi-no-miya Katori Jingū was made into the village’s shrine in hopes of the Buddha honoring his presence in the village. Despite the shrine being built in Sagishiro, with the maintenance of the Ōushū Kaidō, it was built on the current ground around the Kan’ei era (1624 to 1644). According to the date of construction, the current main shrine was rebuilt in 1866. Around one side of the main shrine, a sign of the dyer’s operation is engraved. It is the work of Takejiro Hasegawa who resides in Mount Asama San’ya-machi and is the city’s designated cultural property.

Known as Iwadono Kannon, Shōbōji’s official name is Iwadonosan Shōbōji. At the Bando 33 spot pilgrimage’s 10th Holy Place, people have prayed from ancient times, which lead to the achievement of a constant stream of people. During the age of civil wars, when the forces of Takeda took on Matsuyama Castle, it is said that the honjin (an officially appointed hotel with accommodations for a daimyo and his procession) was established. When you pass the row of houses that hid what used to be a constant stream of people, the Niōmon gate comes into view. If you climb up the stone steps you can see the city’s oldest bell tower and a temple built by wood dedicated to Kannon as well as a large Ginkgo tree. ※ Seasonal Information: The yellowing of the leaves of the large ginkgo tree estimated to be over 700 years-old is best in early December.

At the vast site that spreads 46 hectares towards Hiki Hills, popular animals such as the giraffes, red pandas, koalas, as well as the ecological park of Humboldt penguins known as the “Penguin Hills” can be enjoyed. Adjacent to the park, there is a path to take strolls and a path for those interesting in cross country. This is the only zoo in Japan in which Eco Houchoo’s Gundi, Hyrax, and the world’s smallest deer, Pudu, and the Quokka, which joined to commemorate the park’s 40th anniversary, can be seen. Winter’s seasonal tradition: “Capybara Hot Spring” is very popular as well.

In 712, it is said that during the Heian period, Minamoto-no-Yorinobu, who was heading towards the suppression of Taira-no-Tadatsune, saw a dream in which he received an arrow and bow from a God riding on a white fox. Thanks to this, he was able to gain his victory in the battle, which led him to contribute to the establishment of this shrine. This prefectural cultural property is constructed as an incarnation of Buddha and the inside and outside of the main building of the shrine is crafted through the use of advanced techniques. Praying here is known to bring abundant harvests, prosperity in business, art proficiency, and good luck in challenges. Because it can be read as “Yakyū”, many of those involved in baseball visit to pray. The best time to see the flowers of the peony park is around mid-April as it blooms with the wisteria and azalea.

The park opened in 1990 as part of spreading “Botan (peony)”, the city’s flower. This is a prominent peony park in the Kanto region with roughly 30,000 square meters of colorful peony blooming from the middle of April to early May, with a “Botan Matsuri (Peony Festival)” taking place at the prime of the peonies blooming. Furthermore, Hydrangea, Japanese maple, Chimonanthus, a large playground complex, an open lawn, and an observatory can be enjoyed throughout the year.

“Tabi to Kurashi (Tabi and Life’s) Museum” was originally a factory of tabi socks delivering to tabi stores under the name Bokuya Honten (Main Branch), however, most of the factory’s appearance was kept and was reborn as a museum. At the museum, demonstrations by individuals who used to be tabi craftsmen can be seen, and your own original tabi (additional cost) can be made every second Sunday of the month.

The Hachimanyama Kofun (Mount Hachiman burial mound), is the central burial mound within the group of Wakakodama burial mounds that can be found in the area. It is estimated to be built in the 7th century and has a diameter of 80 meters. It was restored in 1981. From the stone hut, the “Urushi Nuri Mokkan (lacquered wooden casket)” was found in almost perfect condition. Those buried inside are assumed to have been people of power. It is called “Kanto-no-Ishibutai (Kanto’s Ishibutai) because it is a grand stone hut that matches those of the Ishibutai Kofun (Ishibutal burial mound) of Asukamura of Nara prefecture.

It is a place located very close to the Ōshi Castle and is noted for its water hyacinth. The Aoi-no-ike (lake) within the park displays beautiful water hyacinth at a certain season. The square is also known for its 200 trees of sakura (cherry blossom). In addition, “Inaka Kyōshi-no Bungakuhi" (Literary Monument of a Country Teacher) of Katai Tayama was built here. In the monument, a verse from the book Inaka Kyōshi, “The road to Yori was long…”, is engraved.

The Iwadonokyūryō around the experience center mainly comes from the Toki River layer group, a stratum accumulated from 15 million to 10 million years ago, containing a wide range of fossils. The experience center is one of the only facilities within the prefecture in which the digging of fossils, such as 15 million-year-old shark teeth, can be experienced. Challenge yourself to dig up fossils using a sieve, hammer, and graver with a lecturer! Fossils you find, with some expectations, can be brought home. Since the digging of fossils takes place inside, this is a facility in which activities can be enjoyed even on rainy days.

This is a tourist information center located in the Honjō Station of JR Takasaki Line. Pamphlets related to tourism and information regarding the city can be obtained, along with Honjō City’s souvenir. In addition, there are sweets and Japanese goods recommended by the Honjō City Tourism Association along with Honjō’s Kasuri.

The barbecue place opened on the river site in 2013 is the first in Tokyo to be operated by a private company. Reserve your favorite spot by the Toki River and enjoy barbecuing while being immersed in nature.

This is a day trip hot spring facility that was built by relocating an ancient house. Located close to the Tokigawa River, if you soak in the footbath on the engawa (Japanese-style terrace), you will be able to clearly hear the calming sound of the small stream. There is an area for BBQ nearby, and you can enjoy it without any equipment. After the BBQ, heal, recharge, and wash off your sweat in the hot spring.

As you go through the mountain road, you will see a direct sales store built from Japanese cypress. It specializes in the treasures of the mountain, harvested in the Ōno region, such as the mountain mushrooms and wild plants. The “Chirimen Norabō-na” only available here has a deep sweet taste, making it a popular product every year. The building is the oldest out of the 4 direct sales stores within the town and is said to be the model of the “Myōkaku Station” which has the same octagonal shape.