6 Selected Tourist Spots in Hasuda City, Saitama! Let’s Enjoy Historical Tourism in This Town of Historic Sites

Hasuda City is located north of Saitama City. It is easily accessible from Ōmiya via the JR Utsunomiya Line in about 10 minutes, making sightseeing very convenient. When it comes to sightseeing in Hasuda City, the shell middens scattered throughout the city are notable. In addition, the abundant nature preserved by the former Arakawa River and the Minuma Canal makes it an ideal place for a leisurely tour. Now, let’s introduce the tourist spots of Hasuda City.

1. Touring the Numerous Shell Middens in the City

Geographically, Hasuda City is part of the Ōmiya Plateau. In the Jomon period, when sea levels were higher, there was a coastline near here. The traces of life in the Jomon period are the shell middens. A shell midden is essentially a garbage dump from the Jomon period, where shells and animal bones were discarded. Hasuda City has many shell middens, indicating that many people lived here in ancient times. Now, let’s guide you through the famous shell middens of Hasuda City.

◆ Kurohama Shell Midden

Kurohama Shell Midden is a representative shell midden of Hasuda City. The earthenware excavated from Kurohama Shell Midden is classified within Jomon pottery as “Hasuda-style,” and further into the “Kurohama-style.” Walking through the swamps and secondary forests, you will be enveloped by the nature and romance of the Jomon period.

Kurohama Shell Midden is located next to the Hasuda City Hall and is about a 20-minute walk from Hasuda Station, making it an unmissable tourist spot for Hasuda sightseeing.

◆ Ayase Shell Midden

In the center of Hasuda City is the Shell Midden Shrine. Within the shrine grounds, there are inscriptions and plaques. This is the Ayase Shell Midden. Dolphin bones and other remains have been excavated from here, indicating that this area was once part of the sea.

Near this site flows the former Arakawa River, and a serene rural landscape spreads out. It might be nice to stop by during a stroll through Hasuda for sightseeing.

◆ Sekiyama Shell Midden

Sekiyama Shell Midden is an archaeological site from the early Jomon period and is counted among the designated important archaeological sites of Saitama Prefecture. It is considered a valuable site because the earthenware excavated here is categorized as “Sekiyama-style,” a further detailed classification of “Hasuda-style.” Therefore, the Sekiyama site is of significant importance in archaeology.

Currently, only a plaque with explanations remains. However, if you walk around this area while thinking back to ancient times, you will feel a sense of romance that is very pleasant.

2. Kurohama Swamp

Kurohama Swamp is a tourist spot visited by many due to its rich ecosystem. Since hydrophilic plants grow abundantly, insects such as dragonflies gather here. In addition, birds such as herons and egrets come to the area, allowing you to observe many species of flora and fauna. The ecosystem of Kurohama Swamp is so precious that it has been selected as a “Saitama Prefecture Natural Environment Conservation Area.”

Walking along the waterfronts such as the former Arakawa River and the Minuma Canal is nice, but sightseeing the many lakes and swamps in Hasuda is also recommended.

3. Hisaizu Shrine

Hisai Zu Shrine is read as “Hisaizu-jinja.” (It is not a quiz shrine.) Hisai Zu Shrine is one of many shrines along the former Arakawa River in Saitama Prefecture. There are a total of seven Hisai Zu Shrines in Hasuda City, including those in Minami-Shinjuku and Kuronuma. Among them, the largest is the Hisai Zu Shrine located in Egasaki. The gongen-style shrine building is impressive with its luxurious decoration.

During the Muromachi period, a temple called Nangakuin was also attached within the shrine grounds, making Hisai Zu Shrine a place of syncretic worship of Shinto and Buddhism. It is said that Enkū, famous for his sculptures, once visited Nangakuin and left behind 18 Buddhist statues. The Buddhist statues remaining at Nangakuin can be viewed at the Saitama Prefectural Museum and the Hasuda City Cultural Property Exhibition Hall.

Would you like to go sightseeing at Hisai Zu Shrine, the oldest shrine in Hasuda?

4. Nishijōnuma Park

Hasuda is full of historic sites, but there are also tourist spots that families with small children can enjoy. A prime example is Nishijōnuma (Nishijō Swamp) Park. Noteworthy is the large athletic play area! The four-story wooden play structure is like a castle. It is a rare piece of playground equipment even in Saitama, and children are sure to be thrilled. In addition, there is a long roller slide and other playground facilities that are typical of a large park. On sunny summer days, a playful river flows through, where you can enjoy water play.

Also, to the northwest of the play area is an open, spacious lawn. Of course, by the swamp, you can relax while enjoying the waterside scenery. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, enchanting visitors. If you’re sightseeing with your family in Hasuda, Nishijōnuma Park is a must-visit spot.

5. Hasuda City Cultural Property Exhibition Hall

Hasuda, with its shell middens, is perfect for historical tourism. If you want to view the cultural properties of Hasuda, the Hasuda City Cultural Property Exhibition Hall is unmissable. Here, “Sekiyama-style pottery” and “Kurohama-style pottery” excavated from the famous shell middens of Hasuda City are exhibited. In addition, materials related to the construction of the Minuma Canal are on display. Furthermore, there are materials on the Enkū Buddhist statues of Hisai Zu Shrine and on the intangible cultural property “Edo Door’s Shikisanban,” a dance performance.

Outside, being near the Kurohama Shell Midden, a reconstructed pit dwelling is displayed. To learn about the history of Hasuda, you should start by stopping here.

6. Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s Inscribed Monument

In Negane, a district of Hasuda City, there is an Inari Shrine. Within the shrine grounds is a monument inscribed and written by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa himself. Because this monument is one of the older ones, it holds high value not only as a tourist attraction but also as a research material.

Why is there a monument to Ryūnosuke Akutagawa here? It is because of his close association with Heitarō Sekiguchi, a native of Hasuda. Heitarō, who was famous as a masseur, was known to be very kind, donating school supplies and more to poor children. In praise of Heitarō’s achievements, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa erected this monument. Would you like to visit this monument, which is a testament to their friendship?

Summary

Hasuda truly has an abundance of sightseeing spots where you can feel history. Visiting the shell middens and shrines and temples to engage in a bit of intellectual tourism might be just the thing. Strolling along the waterfronts such as the former Arakawa River and the Minuma Canal is also recommended as a refreshing sightseeing experience.

In addition, near Hasuda City, there are also popular Saitama sightseeing spots such as the Iwatsuki Castle Ruins and Tobu Zoo. Since they are just a short distance from Ōmiya, why not take a spontaneous trip to Hasuda for sightseeing?

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6 Selected Tourist Spots in Hasuda City, Saitama! Let’s Enjoy Historical Tourism in This Town of Historic Sites