Higashimatsuyama Tourism Information Center

In 712, it is said that during the Heian period, Minamoto-no-Yorinobu, who was heading towards the suppression of Taira-no-Tadatsune, saw a dream in which he received an arrow and bow from a God riding on a white fox. Thanks to this, he was able to gain his victory in the battle, which led him to contribute to the establishment of this shrine. This prefectural cultural property is constructed as an incarnation of Buddha and the inside and outside of the main building of the shrine is crafted through the use of advanced techniques. Praying here is known to bring abundant harvests, prosperity in business, art proficiency, and good luck in challenges. Because it can be read as “Yakyū”, many of those involved in baseball visit to pray. The best time to see the flowers of the peony park is around mid-April as it blooms with the wisteria and azalea.

The ruins of Matsuyama Castle, once a superb flatland-mountain castle in the Kitamusashi region, have been designated as a prefectural historical site since 1925. In 2008, the ruins of Sugaya yakata (Ranzan Town), which had already been designated as a national historic site, were joined by the ruins of Sugiyama Castle (Ranzan Town) and Kokura Castle (Tokigawa, Ranzan, and Ogawa Town) to form the Hiki Castle Ruins Group, which now is designated as a national historic site. The castle is surrounded by a swampy area formed by the Ichino River, which creates a natural barrier.

The Yoshimi Hundred Caves is a horizontal hole tomb built at the end of the Kofun period (late 6th to late 7th century) and was designated as a national historic site in 1918. It is a historic site that represents Yoshimi Town, and there are currently 219 horizontal holes that have been confirmed. Each hole consists of two parts, a narrow passage, and a burial chamber. In some of the holes, you can also find the natural monument luminous moss growing.

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!

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.