This ancient wisteria is one of my personal favourites. Kotsuhada no Fuji (Kotsuhada Wisteria) is located at Chosenji, a Buddhist temple and graveyard in Honjo City. Kotsuhada no Fuji typically blooms later than other famous wisteria in Saitama. In 2026, Chosenji posted on their website on April 20th to sayRead More →
The Wisteria of Shobu Shrine is a natural monument of Saitama Prefecture. I first shared this post with just the event information, but updated it in 2025 after visiting. If you are looking for an ancient wisteria in the Kuki area of Saitama, Shobu Shrine is worth a visit. AndRead More →
Primroses Saitama. During April, the city of Saitama host a number of Japanese primrose “Sakurasou” festivals. Sakurasou is actually the official flower of Saitama Prefecture. It is also the official flower of the city (Saitama city). Despite that there is only really one *notable* place to see Japanese primroses inRead More →
Jigenji’s weeping cherry, a natural monument of Sakado City, was declared “open” on March 17th 2026. Once ten blossoms have opened on the tree the tree is declared as ‘open’ or as we might say in English; ‘has started to bloom’. Historically, the start of the bloom has also coincidedRead More →
Saitama’s first certified Forest therapy base and therapy road at Kitamoto Nature Observation Park, also home to the Saitama Nature Study Center. When my kids were small we spent quite a lot of time at this park in Kitamoto. Or to be more precise; combining a visit here with theRead More →
Heirinji in Niiza City, right by Kiyose in Tokyo, is one of thee most special places for autumn leaf viewing in Saitama Prefecture. More than being just beautiful, the temple has a rich and fascinating history. I have waited a long time to share information about the temple, so IRead More →
There is a small but pretty kaede (maple) garden in the Takanokura Fureai Nature Park. The Takanokura Fureai nature park is located in Hatoyama Town in the Hiki District of Saitama, where nature is abundant. They have recently made improvements to the park, but to be quite frank I don’tRead More →
Last year, 2021, I saw on my Google Analytics that some new visitors had found my website through a search for “Nagatoro river boating during the SOE?” Ironically, at that time, I had very little on the blog about the river boating in Nagatoro, just a brief mention on theRead More →
Have you heard about the Peacock Shrine in Saitama City? Or maybe you know it as the Quiz Shrine? It is one of those shrines that is very famous among Saitama residents and further afield among the history buffs. But it is off the tourist trail. Maybe the locals preferRead More →
Seven hundred year old wisteria, a natural monument of Saitama Prefecture, in spring, and hydrangea – backdropped by Japan’s tallest three storied pagoda – in summer. Information for the three day light up also included. At Aobaen, a cemetery in Saitama City, just North of Tokyo, Japan. In the mostRead More →