Discover Gyōda: Kofun, lotus gardens and local cuisine

Plan your trip to Gyōda around four specific interests: archaeology, castle history, seasonal landscapes and local cuisine. The Saitama Kofun Group represents the region’s ancient history; Oshi Castle links historical accounts with a distinctive architectural history. Lotus gardens, rice paddy art and hands-on activities offer other highlights.

Getting there and finding your way

To reach Gyōda City, you can travel from Ueno or Ikebukuro stations to Gyōda Station in about 60 minutes; only local trains stop there. Check current services before setting off. Gyōda City Bus operates six routes: the East, West, Northeast and Northwest loop routes, the Minami-Ōdōri route and the Sightseeing Base loop route. The network covers much of the city. As routes and services may change, check the operator’s latest information.

You can also use tourist rental bicycles to get around Gyōda City: bikes can be rented at four locations and returned at another, and a cycling trip can be combined with public transport. Check the latest terms with the provider. In Gyōda City, the tourist information center at Oshi Castle Bus Terminal offers brochures on attractions and local food, visitor advice and rental bicycles. Confirm the current rental conditions. Three tourist information centers in Gyōda City also arrange volunteer-guided tours of Oshi Castle and the Saitama Kofun Group; these visits require advance reservations.

Kofun, lotus and rice paddy art

Sakitama Kofun Park in Gyōda City, Saitama Prefecture, contains nine large burial mounds. They were built from the late 5th century to around the beginning of the 7th century. In Gyōda City, the burial mounds of the Saitama Kofun Group are clustered on a plateau; nationwide, the group is among the largest of its kind. In March 2020, the Saitama Kofun Group in Gyōda City became the first site of its kind in Saitama Prefecture to be designated a Special Historic Site. This makes both the visible arrangement of the mounds and their chronology central to understanding the site.

The Ancient Lotus Garden in Gyōda City is home to around 100,000 plants of the Gyōda lotus, which bloomed between 1,400 and 3,000 years ago. It also has around 20,000 lotus plants from 41 varieties from around the world; the plantings may change over time. Rice paddy art offers another seasonal perspective in Gyōda City: it can be viewed from the 50-meter-tall observation tower at the Ancient Lotus Hall. Its season runs from mid-July to mid-October. If you want to plan your trip around this view, keep this period in mind.

Oshi Castle and historic buildings

According to historical accounts, Oshi Castle in Gyōda City was built during the Muromachi period; it is counted among the seven famous castles of the Kantō region. During Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s campaign to pacify the Kantō region, it withstood Ishida Mitsunari’s water attack in Gyōda City. This episode gave the castle its nickname, “The Floating Castle.” You can also explore the castle’s history at the Gyōda Local History Museum in Gyōda City: its reconstructed Gosan-kai tower is part of the museum, which stands on the site of the former main bailey.

Numerous preserved buildings shape Gyōda City’s historic townscape, including earthen, stone and mortar Tabi warehouses. They offer a different perspective on architectural history from the castle and the large burial mounds. Access to individual buildings may be restricted. Mizuki Park in Gyōda City was created on the site of the moats and ponds of Oshi Castle, showing how the former castle grounds live on in today’s park landscape.

Experiences and seasonal dates

At Gyōda Haniwa Hall in Gyōda City, you can make haniwa clay figures. At Oshi Castle in Gyōda City, the Oshi Castle SAMURAI Experience lets you put on samurai armor; seasonal exclusions apply, so check availability before your trip. The Oshi Castle NINJA Experience in Gyōda City offers three options: one with shuriken throwing, one with a ninja costume and a more comprehensive option that includes photography on site. Here, too, it is advisable to check current availability in advance.

Gyōda City has recurring events on specific dates. The fire festival at Sakitama Kofun Park in Gyōda City takes place every year on May 4 and reenacts a scene from Japanese mythology recorded in the Kojiki. Hanachozu Week in Gyōda City generally runs from the 1st to the 14th of each month; in November and January, it runs from the 15th to the end of the month. Some displays may not always be present, so check the latest details. These set dates and possible variations can help you plan seasonal experiences for your trip.

Furai and Zeri-furai

Gyōda City’s culinary scene includes two distinct local dishes. Furai in Gyōda City is a flour-based dish cooked with green onions, meat and egg. Zeri-furai in Gyōda City is deep-fried and croquette-like, with ingredients including vegetables such as potatoes and carrots. These descriptions offer a specific culinary reference point for planning your trip without requiring a visit to any particular restaurant.

Discover more destinations: Minano, Chichibu District, Yashio, Satte, Kawaguchi, Toda, Yoshimi, Misato

For the broader travel overview: Saitama Prefecture.