Wakui Museum

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 the oldest grand shrine in Kanto. It is said to have been founded by descendants of the Izumo family because of its old nickname, Hazenomiya; another theory is that it was established by Yamato Takeru 1900 years ago in the time of Emperor Keikō. The Washimiya Saibara Kagura music and dance is a tradition in the shrine and is designated as an important intangible folk cultural property of the country. Furthermore, the shrine appears in the animation “Lucky Star”, and in turn, Washimiya shrine uses this work to revitalize the area.

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 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”.

There are old breweries that are from the second half of the Edo period to Shōwa, allowing for one to feel the unique unique charm of a sake brewery. There is the historic Tamashiki Shrine and Kisai Castle nearby, with a promenade set up allowing for a relaxed stroll in the countryside.