Roadside Station Washi no Sato Higashi Chichibu

A brewery which holds a prefectural record for winning the gold medal at the Annual Japan Sake Awards for 8 consecutive years. Matsuoka Brewery originated when first generation brewer Matsuoka Emon, in search of higher quality water, moved his brewery from Niigata to Ogawamachi. The brewing water sourced from the Chichibu mountains has a higher concentration of minerals, pumped from a source 130 meters underground. At our brewery tour (reservation required), visitors can view the brewing warehouse, learn about the sake brewing process and enjoy a sake tasting. The Daiginjo (super premium sake) ice cream available at the brewery direct sales shop is a hit with children and adults alike. There is also a brewery restaurant, “Shofuan,” adjacent to the facility.

About 12 million poppies bloom in full on this vast slope 500 meters above sea level. The contrast between the red poppies and clear blue sky is a sight to behold. Coinciding with the peak bloom season, the "Poppies in the Sky" (Tenku no Poppy) event is held here, and local gourmet food and specialty products are available for sale. A temporary parking lot is also made available. We hope to see you there!

The Edohigan Sakura tree located in Hachigata Castle Park is a natural town monument. This cherry blossom tree is estimated to be over 150 years old, and flowers bloom beautifully on its umbrella-shaped canopy of branches every year around the end of March. You can also enjoy the evening illuminated cherry blossoms during peak season!

Tokigawa Town, prosperous in local lumber production, is one of the largest producer of wood fixtures in the Kanto region. While our shop focuses on wood fixtures, we also sell furniture, handicrafts and agricultural products made with warmth and care by our master craftspeople. We also accept consultations for made to order wood fixtures and furniture. How about owning your own one-of-a-kind item?

Hachigata Castle is a prime example of Sengoku-period (late 15th-16th centuries) fortresses in the Kanto region and is recognized among Japan’s top 100 castles. It is said to have been built in 1476 (Bunmei 8) by Nagao Kageharu, the chief retainer of the Yamauchi Uesugi clan, who served as the regional governors of the Kanto region. Later, Ujikuni, son of warlord Hojo Ujiyasu from Odawara, expanded and fortified it to its present scale. During Toyotomi Hideyoshi's siege of Odawara, the castle was besieged by forces led by Maeda Toshiie and Uesugi Kagekatsu. After defending for over a month, it was surrendered on the condition that the lives of the garrison would be spared, and the castle was subsequently abandoned. The main bailey and other enclosures, surrounded by earthen ramparts and deep moats, still exist today. You can learn more about Hachigata Castle's history at the Hachigata Castle History Museum, located within Hachigata Castle Park. In addition to restored models and videos, the museum offers a virtual experience program where you can explore the castle grounds recreated using CG, giving you a sense of how it appeared in its heyday. Furthermore, by downloading the app "Yotte GO! Yorii Town" (風雲YｏｔｔｅGO!謎解き寄居町), you can view CG images throughout the park and enjoy interactive games.