[Saitama] What is the Charm of Sugito Town? Basic Info and 6 Popular Tourist Spots

Basic Information about Sugito Town, Saitama Prefecture

What kind of place is Sugito Town?

Sugito Town is located in the eastern part of Saitama Prefecture and is a town where nature and history coexist. In the center of the town, there is Sugito-juku, which retains the remnants of the Edo period, and it is a historic town that once prospered as a post station on the Nikko Kaido. Its history is said to date back about 1,500 years, as evidenced by various cultural properties such as ancient tombs that have been excavated.

Despite being easily accessible from the city center, you can enjoy a nostalgic rural landscape blessed with water and greenery. Agriculture is also thriving, and there is an appeal in being able to taste fresh ingredients while experiencing the local food culture. The town continues to develop as a beautiful rural city.

How to access Sugito Town

Sugito Town is located on the eastern edge of Saitama Prefecture, making it easily accessible not only from eastern Saitama but also from western Chiba and southern Ibaraki.
The nearest stations are Sugito Takanodai Station on the Tobu Nikko Line and Tobu Zoo Station on the Tobu Skytree Line. Access to central Tokyo is also good, with Omiya Station about 30 minutes away by train and Otemachi Station about 60 minutes away.

By car, it is approximately 10 minutes to the Satte Interchange on the Ken-O-Do Expressway and 25 minutes to the Kuki Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.
From the station, buses and taxis can be used to get around the town, but as the town is dotted with sightseeing and experience spots, it is recommended to drive if you want to enjoy the whole of Sugito Town.

Various seasonal events in Sugito Town

Various events are held throughout the year in Sugito Town. In spring, there is the Takano-dai Sakura Festival, which is famous for its cherry blossoms. In summer, the Sugito Summer Festival features portable shrines. In autumn, the Sugito Town Industry Festival brings together the industries of Sugito Town, and the Post Station Festival recreates the bustle of the old post town, attracting many tourists.

Among these, the most impressive is the Furutone River Lantern Festival held every August. About 250 large lanterns float along the Furutone River for about 1 kilometer, creating a fantastical landscape of a continuous band of light.

Tourism in Sugito Town

Get tourist information at Sugito Town Tourist Information Center (Ryuto Fureai Hall)

The Sugito Town Tourist Information Center (Routo Fureai-kan), located about a 6-minute walk from the east exit of Tobu Dobutsu Koen Station, provides information on the attractions and tourist information of Sugito Town. Why not visit before exploring Sugito Town? Not only can you get maps and tourist information, but they also carefully select and sell local specialties and souvenirs. They also offer bicycle rentals, which is great for those who have difficulty with car transportation.

Sugito Town Tourist Information Center (Ryuto Fureai Hall)

• Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Closed: Wednesdays, Thursdays, summer holidays, New Year's holidays, etc.
• Location: 1-9-19 Seiji, Sugito Town, Kitakatsushika County, Saitama Prefecture
• Phone:070-4455-5449

Experience history at Sugito-juku

Sugito-juku is said to be a post station established by the Edo Shogunate in 1616 (Genna 2) on the Nikko Kaido, and is the fifth of the 21 post stations between Nihonbashi and Nikko. As a post town that flourished in the Edo period, many temples, old houses, and warehouses remain, and the restored notice board continues to convey the history of the highway to this day. Not only can you feel the depth of history while strolling through the old town, but there are also various shops scattered around, so it's nice to be able to stop by when you're a little hungry. For those who want to know more about the history and culture of Sugito-juku, it is recommended to rediscover the charm of Sugito-juku by walking around the town with a Sugito-juku guide. (Walking maps are available for free at the Sugito Town Tourist Information Center.)

Sugito-juku Guide

A volunteer guide certified by the Sugito Town Tourism Association. For inquiries and applications, please contact the Sugito Town Tourist Information Center.

Enjoy shopping and leisure at Roadside Station Agri Park Yumesugito

Come and enjoy a day of fun, food, and experiences with your family at the roadside station Agri Park Yumesugito. Within its vast premises, it features a direct sales outlet for fresh seasonal vegetables, a cafeteria called Aguri-tei where you can taste local ingredients, and farms where you can experience harvesting seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as a barbecue area. It's a recommended spot where you can enjoy shopping and leisure.

Roadside Station Agri Park Yumesugito

• Business hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Closed: Wednesdays (open on holidays), end of the year and New Year holidays, etc.
• Location: 823-2 Saiwa, Sugito Town, Kitakatsushika County, Saitama Prefecture
• Phone:0480-38-4189

Outdoor and Relaxation Experiences in Sugito Town

Play actively at Furutone SUP Club (RADIX Sugito)

At the Furutone SUP Club (RADIX Sugito), located about a 6-minute walk from the east exit of Tobu Dobutsu Koen Station, you can experience SUP on the calm Furutone River. SUP, or Stand Up Paddleboarding, is a water activity where you stand on a large board and paddle to move across the water.

The Furutone River, where the experience takes place, is lined with a quiet residential area, an elevated railway line where Tobu Nikko Line trains run, and Furukawa Bridge leading to Tobu Dobutsu Koen Station. You can experience SUP while feeling both the lives of the people of Sugito Town and nature.

The large board with stability ensures that everyone from beginners, small children, seniors, to pets can enjoy it with peace of mind. All necessary equipment is prepared, so you can participate lightly, and it's also attractive that those who come by train can easily participate.

Furutone SUP Club (RADIX Sugito)

• Business hours: Tue - Sat 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM／Sun & Holidays 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Closed: Mondays, etc.
• Location: 1-9-23 Seiji, Sugito Town, Kitakatsushika County, Saitama Prefecture
• Phone:0480-34-1171 (Inquiries 14:00-20:00)

Explore the town with Nordic walking or cycling

In Sugito Town, they are promoting a new form of tourism that involves touring the area using Nordic walking and cycling. If you want to fully enjoy the rich nature of Sugito Town, it is recommended to do Nordic walking or cycling while moving your body.

There are several recommended courses set up, so why not get a map and enjoy at your own pace? Poles for Nordic walking and bicycles are available for rent at the Sugito Town Tourist Information Center (Ryuto Fureai Hall).

Refresh at Sugito Natural Hot Spring, Uta no Yu

Uta no Yu is a popular day-trip natural hot spring facility. You can bathe in a variety of tubs, including a live source indoor bath that flows directly from the source, a pot bath, a stone bath, a high-concentration carbonated hot spring, and a milky white silk bath with ultra-fine bubbles. Inside the building, there are two restaurants where you can enjoy buffets and Japanese food, as well as healing places such as esthetics.

It might be nice to spend a relaxing day from morning, or to stop by and refresh after sightseeing or experiencing Sugito Town. As it is a popular facility, there may be admission restrictions on crowded days, so please refer to the congestion prediction MAP on the official Uta no Yu website.

Sugito Natural Hot Spring Gagaku no Yu

• Business hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 0:00 AM (Last admission time: 11:30 PM)
• Closed: Irregular holidays
• Location: 2517 Sugito, Sugito Town, Kitakatsushika County, Saitama Prefecture
• Phone:0480-53-4126

Why not take a trip to Sugito Town in Saitama Prefecture?

Sugito Town in Saitama Prefecture is a region with a variety of attractions, including seasonal events, historical tourist spots, shopping and leisure facilities, and places for outdoor activities and relaxation.

Whether you're exploring the town by getting information at the tourist information center, being active at the Furutone SUP Club, or rejuvenating your mind and body at Uta no Yu, a new discovery awaits you each time you visit. We hope this article will inspire you to visit Sugito Town.