First Sunrise Gyoda– There is a beautiful Japanese New Year’s tradition of watching the first sunrise of the new year “Hatsuhinode“. Next year the first sunrise will be particularly special, as it will be the first sunrise of a new decade: 2021 – 2030. Update December 28th: Booking is nowRead More →
Kodai Hasu no Sato Illumination – Gyoda City, Kodai Hasu no Sato “ancient lotus pond”, is best known for its paddy art which you can view from an observational tower. It really is a sight to behold. The rice paddy art attracts visitors in the Autumn and in winter it isRead More →
There is no rice paddy art in 2020. The rice planting event – the preparation for the art – was due to take place in the middle of June. However, they cancelled the planting event too. The rice is planted in such a way that it grows into a beautifulRead More →
Ancient Lotus, Kodai Hasu No Sato, Gyoda June 19th to August to early August Kodai Hasu No Sato ~ Ancient Lotus Flower Park Kodai Hasu no Sato is a public park in Gyoda city. It was developed to showcase the ancient lotus that were found in the area a fewRead More →
Information for the first sunrise, Hatsuhinode, in Saitama in 2021. If you’ve read any other of my blog posts about January in Japan, you’ve probably already got the message that it is my favorite month in Japan. One of the main reasons for that is all the New Year events,Read More →
Sakitama Fire Festival – The Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds are in Gyoda city. The Burial Mounds are part of what is called the Sakitama Kofun Cluster, a nationally designated historical site. Saitama prefecture “Saitama” actually gets its name from these regions: Sakitama being the old version of Saitama! More informationRead More →
Cherry blossoms Sakitama – One of Saitama’s famous cherry blossom viewing spots is the Sakitama Tomb Park in Gyoda City. Sakitama Kofun Park Sakitama Kofun Park is a medium sized park designed around the ancient burial mounds unearthed at the site. Kofun is the Japanese for burial mound. There areRead More →
Railway Carriage Restaurant Mustard Seed, Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture. I didn’t have an opinion on trains one way or another until I came to Japan. But, as happens to so many after spending sometime in Japan, I jumped on the train-loving-train and never got off! I have a fascination withRead More →
Geocaching Saitama. Sakitama Kofun Park has several caches to discover. The majority of them are relatively easy to find and within 200 meters of the main entrance. A great beginners site in Saitama for geocaching. Read More →
Gyoda Ukijyo Matsuri or Gyoda Floating Castle Festival The Gyoda Floating Castle Festival is held every year on the last Saturday and Sunday of July. No doubt its name is associated with the Oshi Castle which was located in Gyoda City. It is nicknamed the floating castle of Oshi. OneRead More →