HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Hanachozu Week in Gyoda
Enjoy a full range of events and activities around Oshi Castle, a Japan Heritage site
Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture
Gyoda City, located in Saitama Prefecture just northwest of Tokyo, is known for such historical sites as Oshi Castle and the Saitama Tumulus Group. It has also been designated as a Japan Heritage site for its history as a producer of traditional tabi socks. The best time to visit Gyoda is during the Hanachozu Week, a festival that takes place for two weeks every month except in July and August.
For those two weeks, around 100 sites throughout Gyoda are decorated with the unique floral displays in water known as “hanachozu”. Twice a year, the special days known as “Japanese Heritage x Hanachozu” and “Oshi Castle Flower Town” feature a full range of activities so you can enjoy not only the hanachozu flower displays, but also local sightseeing destinations and gourmet food and sake.
Highlights include large-scale hanachozu at the Oshi Castle Pond, dynamic art laser mapping shows illuminating Oshi Castle, and artistic multicolored hanachozu lanterns that brighten the venues. You can also explore the Tabi Warehouse Japan Heritage site by rickshaw, and enjoy gourmet local sake and other delicacies at the Food Festival. Bring your family and friends!
How to get there
From Tokyo Station, take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Kumagaya Station (about 40 minutes). Transfer to the Chichibu Railway to Gyodashi Station (about 10 minutes). Oshi Castle is about 15 minutes on foot from the station.
17-23 Honmaru, Gyoda-shi, Saitama-ken
