<p>The Sakitama Kofun Park contains nine giant ancient tombs which date back to the 5th - 7th centuries.</p>

The Sakitama Kofun Park contains nine giant ancient tombs which date back to the 5th - 7th centuries. (Photo: Sandra Isaka)

Best of Gyoda City, Saitama

A great day trip from Tokyo

Sandra Isaka Jul 06, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>The Sakitama Kofun Park contains nine giant ancient tombs which date back to the 5th - 7th centuries.</p>

<p>Learn more about the tombs by visiting the two history museums within Sakitama Kofun Park.</p>

<p>There is also a reconstructed traditional farmhouse within the park that visitors can enter and explore.</p>

<p>Daichouji Temple, or Gyoda-in, is home to a large seated stone Buddha.</p>

<p>Stop for lunch at Maruoka Hanagasumi, which has been serving delicious grilled eel since 1875.</p>

<p>Although it is a nice park year-round, visit Kodaihasu-no-Sato from June to August when the lotus flowers bloom.</p>

<p>Travel up the observation tower in Kodaihasu-no-Sato to see amazing rice paddy art in the summer and early fall.</p>

<p>Oishi Castle was originally built in 1479 and was the site of a famous battle that was made into a movie, 'Nobou-no-Shiro'.</p>

<p>Across from the castle is a subsidiary jinja of Nikko's Toshogu Shrine.</p>

<p>Suijo Koen is a nice park in the center of town containing a lake, Japanese garden, grassy lawns, etc.</p>

<p>Near Suijo Koen is another great choice for lunch. Kaiseki Saisaitei is a private mansion-turned restaurant that specializes in Japanese beef served as part of a course.</p>

<p>The Tabi & Lifestyle Museum shows the history of Gyoda as Japan's top production of tabi socks. </p>

Gyoda is a small, mostly unknown, city that is rich in history. Sitting in the middle of the Kanto Plain, the town is almost completely flat, making it easy to get around by rental bicycle. Visit a castle, ancient burial mounds, interesting temples & shrines, a park dedicated to lotus flowers, and more. Gyoda is a quick one and a half hour ride by car or train from Tokyo. It is best to visit when the flowers are blooming and giant rice paddy art is on display.

Sandra Isaka

Sandra Isaka @sandra.isaka

As an intercultural consultant & Japan travel specialist with 20 years in Japan, I love sharing my favorite places with others.