Saitama

Located about one hour from Tokyo, Sayama City in Saitama Prefecture is known for the production of Sayama tea, one of the three major teas in Japan along with Shizuoka tea and Uji tea. There are many tea plantations in the city that produce and sell the finest tea. At Miyanoen, you can enjoy Sayama tea and Japanese tea culture through various hands-on activities.

Located in the mountains of Okuchichibu at 1,100 meters elevation, Mitsumine Shrine is dedicated to Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, the mythical deities said to have given birth to the country of Japan. The divine messenger Oguchi Makami is a wolf believed to have mysterious powers that protects against various misfortunes.

Located in the city of Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is known to bring good luck in relationships (enmusubi) and happiness in the family. Believed to have been established around 1,500 years ago, it enshrines two couples of husband and wife deities, as well as Oonamuchinomikoto, another god of relationships from the famous Izumo Taisha Shrine.

Nagatoro, located in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, is a popular sightseeing spot where you can enjoy great nature such as Nagatoro Valley. A famous attraction there is the Nagatoro River Cruise with a history of over 100 years, which takes you down the Arakawa River that flows through the magnificent valley in a traditional Japanese boat. The powerful rapid stream, the unusual-shaped rocks formed by nature and the gorgeous mountains complete the scenery of Nagatoro. The boatman's skillful...