Fureai no sato Izumi-tei

It is the oldest remaining gravity dam for agricultural use in eastern Japan. The weir of the dam and its management bridge are both registered as tangible cultural properties of Japan. The area is also known as a famous place for fishing for crucian carp and wakasagi. Furthermore, you can enjoy the seasonal scenery of cherry blossoms in spring and vividly colored leaves in the autumn.

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.

It is one of the most prestigious shrines in the prefecture, and since it is dedicated to Mt. Omuro, which is considered to be a sacred mountain, there is no main shrine, making it one of the few places that still display the traditional form of Shinto belief. There are only two other shrines such as Kamana Shrine in Japan. The Suwa Grand Shrine in Nagano and the Oomiwa Shrine in Nara. The origin of the shrine is said to be when the god Yamato Takeru Nomikoto hid the tools of fire in Mt. Omuro. The shrine also enshrines the god of the sun, Amaterasu Omikami, and the god of storm, Susano Onomikoto.

This is a memorial house for Hanawa Hokiichi, a blind Japanese classical scholar who lived in the mid-Edo period. Apart from the famous collective title Gunsho Ruijyū and its raw lumber, there are approximately 200 archives on display inside the building. Furthermore, you can see a hand-stitched purse from his mother that he kept dear during his lifetime and many other personal articles. There is also a section within the exhibition for videos and audio tours.

Built in 1984 by Kimura Kuzō, a company that put in their utmost effort to improve the technique of sericulture and is designated as a cultural property of Saitama Prefecture. It is a modernization inheritance (Silk Industry Heritage) where the sericulture of the time can be learnt.