[Saitama ]Four popular cherry blossom viewing spots along the Tobu Tojo Line in early spring.
![[Saitama ]Four popular cherry blossom viewing spots along the Tobu Tojo Line in early spring.](https://assets.deep-exp.com/assets/img/uploads/media/985/main_front_detail.jpg)
2025-03-11
The custom of viewing cherry blossoms has become firmly established as a springtime tradition in Japan. Countless numbers of cherry blossom viewing spots are scattered throughout Japan. There are also numerous cherry blossom viewing spots along the Tobu Tojo Line, which runs north-south through the central part of Saitama Prefecture. This article introduces four of these spots, Kawagoe Daishi Kita-in Temple, Shinkagishi River, Yanase River, and National Musashi Hills Forest Park, which are popular among people in and outside of the prefecture.
Author of this article
Table of Contents
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- 1-1.1-2.2.
- 2-1.2-2.2-3.3.
- 3-1.3-2.4.
- 4-1.4-2.4-3.Among the wide variety of products available is Japan's largest air trampoline, "Pompoko Mountain. "5.
Kawagoe Daishi Kita-in Temple (Kawagoe City)
Around 100 Someiyoshino cherry trees adorn numerous halls at Kawagoe Daishi Kita-in Temple.
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Kawagoe Daishi Kita-in Temple is a Tendai sect temple built in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture. It is said to have been founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin in 830 during the Heian period. Later, in 1205 during the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the temple was damaged by fire, but was restored by the order of Emperor Fushimi, enshrining Jikakudaishi Ganzan Daishi (Jie Daishi Ganzan Daishi). Around 100 Someiyoshino cherry trees are planted in the temple grounds, and usually decorate numerous halls with their light red flowers from late March to early April.
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The temple grounds are dotted with a number of halls that exude a sense of history. In the center of the building is Jikeido, which serves as the main hall. It is a 9-ken (giryoku), 6-ken (harima), irimoya-zukuri building with a copper-plate roof. The main hall, often called "Daishido," is decorated with Someiyoshino cherry trees on its northern face in early spring.
Northeast of Jie-do Hall stands a 13-meter-high, Ho-Sangen (three-story pagoda). The lower level is square, and the upper level is circular, with a hosho-zukuri roof over it. The pagoda is full of geometrical balance and is completely covered by Someiyoshino cherry trees.
When the cherry blossoms are at their best, the temple grounds are visited by large numbers of people. You can even see groups of people laying out leisure sheets to enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms. Food and beverages can be purchased at stalls around the temple.
Every year, the branches are full of light red flowers. "Cherry blossoms planted by Iemitsu Tokugawa "
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At Kawagoe Daishi Kita-in Temple, you can enjoy viewing cherry blossoms on the temple grounds, but the cherry blossoms you don't want to miss are located in the guest hall. During its long history, Kawagoe Daishi Kita-in Temple suffered the Great Kawagoe Fire in January 1638. All the halls at that time were destroyed by fire except for the temple gate. Immediately after that, Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo Shogunate, immediately began reconstruction and moved the annex building of Momijiyama in Edo Castle and used it as the Kyakuden and Shoin. This is why "Iemitsu's Birth Room "remains in the Kyakuden and "Kasuga Bureki's Makeup Room "remains in the Shoin.
A Japanese garden is maintained in the Kyakuden, which is reminiscent of the appearance of the former Edo Castle. In the garden, there is a cherry tree hand-planted by Tokugawa Iemitsu. "The cherry tree hand-planted by Tokugawa Iemitsu "is the second generation weeping cherry tree, and it is still growing well. Every year, it produces light red blossoms on its slender, drooping branches. The timing of the blooming is a few days earlier than that of Someiyoshino.
"Facility Information "
Facility Name Kawagoe Daishi Kita-in Temple (Kawagoe Taishiki Taishin Temple)
Address: 1-20-1 Kosenba-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama
Phone number 049-222-0859
Access Tobu Tojo Line and JR Kawagoe Line "Kawagoe Station about 20 minutes on foot from ", Tobu Tojo Line "Kawagoe-shi Station about 18 minutes on foot from ", Seibu Shinjuku Line "Honkawagoe Station about 15 minutes on foot from "
Shin-Kawagishi River (Kawagoe City)
"Storehouse rows of cherry trees along the Shinkagishi River that played a major role in the creation of "
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Kawagoe Daishi Kita-in Temple was destroyed by the Great Kawagoe Fire of January 1638, which destroyed most of the halls of the temple at that time, but the fire seems to have spread throughout the city. Fire prevention measures were thoroughly implemented when rebuilding buildings in the burned-out town. In particular, merchants used earthen walls and plastered walls in their warehouses for storing goods. Even today, the city still retains a kura-zukuri townscape "" centered on the Kawagoe Ichibangai shopping street.
The Shinkagishi River, which flows in a curve in the northern part of the city center, played a major role in the reconstruction of the town after the Great Kawagoe Fire. Water transportation was used to carry large amounts of building materials from Edo. Near Hikawa Bridge, which spans the Shinkagishi River, a row of cherry trees stretches about 500 meters along the river. Usually from late March to early April, both banks of the river are decorated with the colors of the early spring season."Around 300 Someiyoshino cherry trees, sometimes called honorary cherry trees "
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The planting of rows of cherry trees along the Shinkagishi River seems to have started in 1957. "Even today "the 19th head of Kameya Eisen ", a sweet potato confectionery store that has a store almost in the center of the kura-zukuri townscape ", planted around 300 Someiyoshino seedlings to commemorate the war dead of World War II. This is why it is sometimes called "Homarezakura (honored cherry tree) ".
Commemorative photo in kimono with cherry blossoms in the background
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Although there are no special facilities for cherry blossom viewing along the riverside, many people stroll along the river during the cherry blossom viewing season. Women wearing kimono are often seen among the crowds. Kawagoe City, also known as "Koedo ", is one of the best tourist destinations in Saitama Prefecture, led by "the kura-zukuri townscape ". Numerous kimono rental stores operate in the city, so you can change your clothes on site. Taking pictures in kimono with cherry blossoms in the background will surely be a precious memory. In some years, hanami boats also operate along the Shinkagishi River. If you take a yakatabune to view the cherry blossoms, you will be completely immersed in the Japanese atmosphere.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Shinkagishi River/Hikawa Bridge (Shinkagishi River/Hikawa Bridge)
Address: Near 107 Hikawa-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama
Access 30 min. walk from Tobu Tojo Line "Kawagoe-shi Station "
Yanasegawa (Shiki City)
Yanasegawa River where rows of cherry trees connect the riverbank from near Fujimi Bridge to Yanasegawa Station on the Tobu Tojo Line.
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The Shinkagishi River, which supported the water transportation of Kawagoe City, joins the Yanase River in Shiki City and flows into the Sumida River in Kita Ward, Tokyo. Walking upstream along the Yanase River from its confluence with the Shinkagishi River, you will see cherry trees lining the riverbank from near Fujimi Bridge over Yurinoki-dori to Yanasegawa Station on the Tobu Tojo Line. There are around 160 cherry trees, mainly Someiyoshino, planted along the 200-meter promenade. The blossoms usually bloom from late March to early April, decorating the riverbank.
Cherry blossoms illuminated by Bonbori lights at night
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When the cherry blossoms are at their best, bonbori (paper lanterns) are hung overhead along the riverside promenade. At night, the lights are turned on and the cherry blossoms are illuminated. The nighttime appearance of the cherry blossoms lit up by the soft lights is fantastic, but the sight of the Bonbori lights going on and on is also fascinating. Stalls will be set up under the rows of cherry trees, so you can enjoy eating and drinking while viewing the cherry blossoms.
"Facility Information "
Facility name Yanasegawa-Fujimibashi Bridge
Address: 6 Kashiwa-cho, Shiki-shi, Saitama
Access Tobu Tojo Line "Yanasegawa station "about 3 min. walk from the station.
Musashigaoka Hills Forest Park (Hiki-gun, Okawa-cho)
Musashi Hills Forest Park developed on the Hiki Kita Hills
National Musashi Hills Forest Park is a nature park located in the Hiki Kita Hills that stretch north of "Forest Park Station "on the Tobu Tojo Line. It was established in 1974 as part of the Meiji Centennial Commemorative Project. It is Japan's first national park. Many varieties of cherry trees are planted in the park, and the park is usually filled with the colors of early spring from late March to early April.
High density of cherry trees in the park "Flower Garden "and "Viewing Plaza "
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A wide variety of plants and trees are grown in the National Musashi Hills Forest Park, but the highest density of cherry trees is around the "Flower Garden "near the south entrance of the park. The area borders the barbecue area "outdoor cooking plaza ", so visitors can sit on chairs and enjoy eating and drinking while viewing the cherry blossoms. Around 400 cherry trees, mainly Someiyoshino, will be in full bloom around early April, about a week later than in central Tokyo. "Various varieties of cherry trees can be seen in the park outside of the Hanamokien ". Kanhizakura, yamazakura, kasumizakura, satozakura, and other cherry trees will be relaying their blossoms throughout the park from early March.
"A spacious observation restaurant with 140 seats is set up in the "observation plaza "west of the Hanamokien ". Outdoor terrace seating is lined up under the cherry trees, allowing visitors to enjoy light meals such as curry and udon while viewing the cherry blossoms.
Among the wide variety of products available is Japan's largest air trampoline, "Pompoko Mountain. "
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National Musashi Hills Forest Park stretches approximately 4 km from north to south and 1 km from east to west, covering an area of about 304 hectares, or about 65 times the size of Tokyo Dome. The park has a wide variety of environments, including wooded areas, ponds, marshes, wetlands, and grasslands. Not only seasonal plants and trees, but also valuable plants and animals grow and inhabit the area. Numerous wild birds, including goshawks and buzzards, as well as hares, weasels, and raccoons, also live here.
There is a wide variety of facilities for children to play and have fun. "Pompoko Mountain "is located at "Pompoko Mountain "in the Sports Park ", a grassy area adjacent to the north of the Flower and Tree Garden ". It is the largest air trampoline in Japan, and children's cheers echo through the air every day throughout the year. Near the west entrance, there is a swimming pool-like "water playground ", a 24-point "field athletic and adventure course ", and 50 kinds of colorful playground equipment for little ones "Musashino Kids Dome ". These facilities are more than enough for a day's play.
"Facility Information "
Facility Name National Musashi Hill Forest Park
Address: 1920 Yamada, Namekawa-cho, Hiki-gun, Saitama
Phone number 0493-57-2111
Opening hours: March to October: 9:30 to 17:00 / November: 9:30 to 16:30 / December to February: 9:30 to 16:00
Closed New Year's Day (January 1)/Mondays from January 4 to the end of February/the third Monday through Friday in January
Admission Adults (high school students and older) = 450 yen / Silver (65 and older) = 210 yen / Junior high school students and younger = free
Access from "Morinokoen Station on the Tobu Tojo Line "to "for Rissho University "about 7 minutes by bus "Namegawa Junior High School "about 5 minutes walk after getting off at the stop
summary
In this article, we have introduced four hanami spots along the Tobu Tojo Line in Saitama Prefecture: Kawagoe Daishi Kita-in Temple, Shinkagishi River, Yanase River, and National Musashi Hill Forest Park. Since cherry trees grow in different environments such as temples, riverbeds, and natural parks, the style of cherry blossom viewing will vary at each spot. Some of them offer timeless views of cherry blossoms that date back to the Edo period.
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