Haniwa no Yakata

Sakitama Kofun Park is home to 9 large "kofuns", megalithic tombs where, among other things, the national treasure "Inariyama burial-mound sword" was excavated. You can also see the largest kofun in Japan, "Maruhaka yama kofun" here, which also serves as a great cherry blossom spot. Gyoda City, where the park is located, is also known as the origin of Saitama prefecture's name, and you can see the stone monument celebrating this in the park.

From the “Sakitama Kofun (Tumulus)” built between the late 5th century to the early 7th century to the national treasure “Musashi Sakitama Inariyama Kofun Artifact”, much of these valuable cultural properties are stored here. Also, this is a facility that allows you to climb both the Inariyama Kofun and Maruhakayama Kofun. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below.)

The Sakitama Shrine holds a history of a thousand and a few hundred years and is an ancient shrine with a majestic and calm atmosphere originating from Saitama Prefecture. The main building of the shrine has a height of 8.7 meters, a circumference of about 92 meters, and is built on top of a tumulus named Sengenzuka (mound) and adjoins to Saitama Kofun Group. The deity has two pillars: Sakitamahimenomikoto and Sakitamahikonomikoto and are gods that protect individuals, brings good fortune and matrimony. Recently, there are limited edition Shuin (seal stamps) with the motif of 4 cats that reside in the shrine (every month on the 22nd including a few days before and after) and is very popular.

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.

Gyōdahachiman Shrine is called “Fūji-no-miya (Palace of Sealing)” due to its secret method of praying which helps children sleep, prevents nervousness, cancer, diseases, bad habits, and dementia for the elderly. In the precincts, there is a “shrine of the eyes”, Kasamori Inari Shrine, for the god of eczema and beautiful skin, along with “Okuninushi Shrine” that enshrines Oshi Castle’s 7 lucky gods. Recently, “nade momo” is said to be a place for spiritual energy, and is famous for the god of fencing off suffering from illness and misfortune.