Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels

In 1970, the Gogaku Kenshujo (lit. village school training institution) Foundation was established on the site of the former Japan Farmers' School founded by Dr. Masahiro Yasuoka in the early Showa period. In 2012, the official name of the foundation was changed to "Gogaku Kenshujo / Yasuoka Masahiro Memorial Museum," and it has been working to promote Gogaku (the study of the countryside) and to pass on to future generations the teachings and anthropology of Dr. Yasuoka Masahiro, which are needed in this day and age, while continuing the tradition of the Japan Agricultural School.

The Iwadonokyūryō around the experience center mainly comes from the Toki River layer group, a stratum accumulated from 15 million to 10 million years ago, containing a wide range of fossils. The experience center is one of the only facilities within the prefecture in which the digging of fossils, such as 15 million-year-old shark teeth, can be experienced. Challenge yourself to dig up fossils using a sieve, hammer, and graver with a lecturer! Fossils you find, with some expectations, can be brought home. Since the digging of fossils takes place inside, this is a facility in which activities can be enjoyed even on rainy days.

The historic site "Sugaya Yakata Castle" (a national historic castle site) overlooking the Toki River to the south is said to be the place where Hatakeyama Shigetada built his mansion in the early Kamakura period. Inside Sugaya-kan, there is a museum dedicated to the historic remains of Ranzan Town. Furthermore, the area is also known for its Yamayuri (Mountain Lilies), which grow wild and are at their best around July every year. In addition, plum and cherry trees are also planted here. Together with Sugaya-kan, Ranzan town is home to Sugiyama Castle, and both of them were appointed as being among the "Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan" on April 6, 2017.

Our building is located in a place that has undergone a transition from the Kamakura period’s samurai’s palace, “Sugaya-yakata”, to the Sengoku period’s castle, “Sugaya-jō”. Opened as the Saitama Prefectural Historical Data Museum in April of 1976, and later in April 1st of 2006, based on the plan for reorganization and maintenance of the prefectural museum facility, documents related to the Sugaya-yakata along with the collection, storage, and research investigation of archaeological materials related to medieval historic sites such as the medieval castles were completed. Plotting its application, the museum was rebuilt with the purpose of contributing to the development of education, learning, and culture. At this time, the name of the building was changed from Saitama Prefectural Historical Data Museum to its current name. (For more information regarding the facility, please refer to the URL below)

It started in 1182 when Hatakeyama Shigetada offered a statue of a devil holding an iron rod to protect people from evil during the construction of the Sugayayakata. A rare shrine that enshrines the “oni (devil)”, with a Setsubun Festival taking place every year on February 3rd, with chants of “Fuku wa uchi, Oni wa uchi, Akuma soto (Out with the bad spirits, in with the good fortune and oni/devil)”. In addition, the shrine is known as the god of victory, with soldiers praying for good fortune during war.