Sakado City Historical Folklore Museum

The largest Taiwanese Shinto shrine in Japan. The gorgeous structure is worth seeing. The spiral ceiling assembled without any nails, the Kowloon stone pillar of 5 meters, a door of 4 meters with wood carvings of the god of military arts, and a coffered ceiling with dragons. Taiwan’s authentic worship and fortune slip can be experienced here.

You can experience the aspects: “to eat,” “to learn,” “to buy,” “to play” at Saitama Prefecture Kawajima-machi’s “Kinbue Syōyu Park” (Soy Sauce Theme Park) through factory visits of soy sauce breweries, “Kinbue Syōyu Gakkō” and “Syōyu-gura no Restaurant.” Fueki Syōyu manages the long-established soy sauce brewery founded in 1789. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below)

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.

JA Saitama Chuo's Higashi Matsuyama direct sales center "Inahoterasu" is an open building constructed with local wood and natural material. The name was chosen through a contest where locals participated and came with suggestions. Inahoterasu symbolizes how the ears of rice (=inaho) will light up (=terasu) a bright future for people. Here you can find a wide variety of souvenirs from Higashimatsuyama City, such as processed pears and chestnuts, yakitori rice crackers, and other sweets!

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.