Nagata Park

Cherry trees that have sprouted from the seeds of the Jindai cherry tree in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, which traveled in space with astronaut Koichi Wakata in 2008, were planted in Seki Park on the 6th of April 2019, through the Kibou (Hope) Cherry Blossom Project, which aims to plant cherry trees in municipalities affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. In Yoshikawa City, the planting of the trees came about as a result of (1) children communicating with astronaut Kanai Yoshishige in space, (2) dispatching staff to Iitate Village in Fukushima Prefecture, which was evacuated after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and (3) passing on the damage caused by Typhoon Kathleen about 70 years ago to future generations. The Sakura Festival is held every March at Seki Park.

This park, which is unique in the prefecture due to its skateboard and basketball area and its outdoor stage, was made possible after a young man attending the coming-of-age ceremony contacted the mayor of the city. During heavy rains, the park becomes a regulating pond to reduce flooding damage to nearby houses.

This is a long-established rice cracker shop known for its large signboard. The cute "namazu sembei (rice cracker)" in the shape of a catfish symbolize Yoshikawa, the home of the catfish, and is a popular souvenir. Another favorite, with many repeat customers, is the Yoshikawa Chips, made with 100% Yoshikawa-grown rice flour and deep-fried in a secret recipe of soy sauce and vegetable oil. Both products have been certified as premium brands by Yoshikawa City.

A well-established Japanese sweets shop in Yoshikawa City that has been in business for 60 years. It was relocated to the backside of Yoshikawa Shrine and reopened in 2019. The famous "Namazu Manju" made with homemade red bean paste, which is rare nowadays, is a perfect souvenir. We also recommend the "Namazu Monaka," which allows you to compare the lean and coarse red bean paste and the freshly made dumplings you can enjoy in the store.

In 1187, the Yoshikawa clan reestablished the indigenous deity of Suwa shrine as the guardian deity of the Yoshikawa Shrine. The precincts of the shrine also include a Yasaka Shrine, Furumine Shrine, Inari Shrine, Matsuo Shrine, Yoshikawa Tenmangu Shrine, Suijingu Eight Great Dragons, and Shikatou Daimyojin. The old Shimotsuma Highway runs behind the shrine, and the large bay and camphor trees in the front and back parts of the precincts tell us that this is a shrine with a long history. Every year in July, the Yasaka Festival, which has a history of about 400 years, is held. The highlight is the "mikoshi," portable shrines that are carried and thrown high above the heads of the bearers.