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Prefectural Gongendo Park aims to be a “park that serves as a base for recreation and a place to interact with the water” by utilizing the waterside space of Gongendo Reservoir and Satte Gongendo Sakuratsutsumi, which is famous for cherry blossoms.

This park consists of four parks, each with its own characteristics : Park No. 1, which is a multi-purpose sports field; Park No. 3, which has history, culture, and greenery; Park No. 4, which is Satte Gongendo Sakuratsutsumi; and Park No. 2, which is for recreational purposes.

Multi-Purpose Sports Square (Park No. 1)

The Multi-Purpose Sports Square (No. 1 Park) is located on the northernmost side of the prefectural Gongendo Park in a zone spanning Satte City and Kuki City (former Kurihashi Town).
This park, which was fully opened in April 2011, has a ball game ground where you can enjoy youth baseball and ground golf, a multi-purpose plaza with a large lawn, and playground equipment such as a large sailing boat. It is crowded with many families with children on holidays.

About paid facility (ball game square)

  • Full area
    1,280yen
    ・Youth baseball
    ・Soft ball
    ・Ground golf
    ・Youth soccer
    ・Sports recreation
  • Half area
    640yen
    ・Ground golf
    ・Sports recreation
  • 1/4 area
    320yen
    ・Ground golf
    ・Sports recreation

※ Usage time is 1 hour.
・When using baseball, softball, or soccer, we ask that you use full area.
・The usage fee for those who have an address outside the prefecture shall be the amount obtained by adding 50/100 to the corresponding amount.
・We are exempted a fee When person corresponding to “Ordinance on Reduction of Usage Fees and Usage Fees for Public Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (1983 Saitama Prefectural Ordinance No. 8)” and “Ordinance Enforcement Regulations Concerning Reduction of Fees and Fees for Use of Public Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (1983 Saitama Prefectural Regulation No. 32)” . “Applicable person” refers to “the holder of either a physical disability certificate, a rehabilitation certificate, or a mental disability certificate and one caregiver.”
・Exemption is possible when used for projects sponsored by the national or local governments.
・When used for projects co-sponsored by the national or local governments, half of the amount shown in the table can be used.
・Exemption may be granted when used for an executive committee-sponsored project run by a local government.
・For events sponsored by schools based on the School Education Act and child welfare facilities based on the Child Welfare Act, half the amount shown in the table will be charged.
・When used for mass media (newspapers, television, radio, publications, communication information services, etc.), exemption may be granted if it is deemed to contribute to the PR of Gongendo Park.

How to apply

・Reservations are accepted from the first day of one month before the date of use.
・Please apply at the Gongendo Park Management Office (No. 1 Park).
・Reception hours are the same as the opening hours.
・Please pay the usage fee in cash at the management office on the day of use.

Happy Park (No. 2 Park)

Park No. 2, which opened on October 2022, is a recreational park,
with a day campsite on the north area with washing facilities and four large scale playground equipment for families and groups to relax on the south area.
In addition, the round trip between the playground area in the south area and the grassland area in the north area is about 1.5 kilometers, making it ideal for walking and jogging.
As a disaster prevention park, it also has a heliport and 8 stove benches, so it will be a primary evacuation site in the event of a disaster.

Manyou Park (No. 3 Park)

It is a green park with the theme of “Manyou Park with history and culture”.
Please use it as a place to relax while admiring manyo flowers such as plum, bush clover, and fujibakama.

Satte Gongendo Sakura Tsutsumi (No. 4 Park)

Satte Gongendo Sakura Tsutsumi is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Kanto region. Approximately 1,000 Yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom along the bank for 1 km. Also, hydrangea in June, cluster amaryllis in September, and about 500,000 daffodils in January are at their best. You can enjoy Gongendo Sakura Tsutsumi all year round.
In the middle of Sakura Tsutsumi, we have set up “Tougenochaya” where you can take a break and sell homemade bread, drinks, and local products. Please stop by when you are out for a walk or cherry blossom viewing.
Currently, we are focusing on measures to extend the lifespan of Yoshino cherry trees and planting Kawazu cherry trees.

The Cherry Blossom Festival

At Gongendo Sakuratsutsumi, the Cherry Blossom Festival is held from late March to early April every spring.

At this time of year, Gongendo Sakuratsutsumi, you can enjoy a wonderful contrast between the pale pink of the tunnel of cherry blossoms and the yellow of the mustard field.
Product shops also open on the bank, and it is crowded with many cherry blossom viewing visitors.

The Hydrangea Festival

While Gongendo Sakuratsutsumi is very famous for its cherry blossoms, volunteers have planted hydrangea flowers with the idea of “flowers that bloom every season even after the cherry blossom season is over.”

Now there are about 10,000 hydrangeas of 100 species, and they add color to the cherry blossoms of Gongen-do in June.
Please enjoy the hydrangea that blooms moistly in the rain with a different beauty from the gorgeous cherry blossoms.

The Cluster amaryllis Festival

From September to October, Gongendo Sakuratsutsumi turns bright red.

Since 2000, we have planted manjushage (red spider lily) in the hope that it will be a seasonal flower in addition to cherry blossoms.

Manjushage is also called cluster amaryllis because it blooms during the autumn equinoctial week.
If anything, the name higanbana may be more familiar.

With the arrival of autumn, red spider lilies bloom all over the bank.
Carefully nurtured by citizen volunteers, the number has now increased to about 3 million. The red spider lily blooming in the midst of greenery is truly a healing space.

The Narcissus Festival

Members of the NPO Satte Gongendo Sakuratsutsumi Preservation Society planted and nurtured them with great care.

Please come and see the lovely white daffodils that bloom dignifiedly in the cold winter.

History of Gongendo

Gongendo Tsutsumi(Embankment) was built in 1576 for the first time.
However, not all the embankment were built in the short period of time. It is said that the
Gongendo embankment was partially built due to the closure of the river channel
and the resulting embankment, which later became the Gongendo embankment.

The completion of the Gongendo Embankment and the Gongendo River can be
recognized from the closure of the Shonai River, the closure of the old Watarase
River channel and the closure of rivers such as the closure of the Gongendo
Village bank built in the same year.

Because the Gongendo River was also known as a raging river and it has bursted
many times sine when the embankment first broke in 1704, it has been managed
very carefully.

In 1786, the villagers who were swallowed by the muddy water due to the 
breakwater of Gongendo Tsutsumi Kitate Village tried to escape, clinging to a
large ginkgo tree but they were swept away and drifted to Sugama in Hirano Village,
and 75 people died miserably. Memorial services for the victims are still held today.

In 1802, when the Tsukinowa bank of Gongendo collapsed, 80 houses in Gongendo
village were washed away. The heartbreaking story of a mother and daughter’s
pilgrim is said to be from this time.

In 1826, in order to reinforce the embankment to cope with repeated collapsing,
1,300 pine saplings were planted along the Gongendo embankment from
Kamiuwada village to Matsuishi village but they did not take root in the end.

Around 1832, bamboo and trees were planted along the embankment, turning it into
spinnies. In addition, the embankment was surrounded like a mansion, houses and
storehouses were built, making it convenient to access to the river bank, and digging
up small beds and other areas for planting, planting seedlings, and cultivating
vegetables.

After that, the era changed from Edo to Meiji, and on June 4, 1877, when Emperor
Meiji was making a tour of the Tohoku region, he stopped by on the Gongendo
embankment to observe the construction and gave bistowal of 100 yen to the locals.
In gratitude, the villagers expressed their desire to change the name of the
embankment to Gyokotsutsumi, and received permission. In addition, in
commemoration of Junko(Imperial visit), the surrounding area was called Gyokomura.

Around that time the surrounding area of Gongendo embankment was a flat plain as
far as the eyes could see. And from the embankment there was a good view of Mt.Fuji
in the west and Mt.Tsukuba in the east. Atogami Tatsuo, local history resercher,
described the local landscape in his writing published in 1920 as “In spring you can
comfortably step on the green grass of the the young grass with your bare feet,
playing with butterflies, gathering violets, dandelions, horsetails and others while
looking at the golden canola flowers below your eyes, forgetting about growing dark.”

In this way, Gongendo Tsutsumi has been popular as a place for people’s thoughts
and foundation since long ago. Resistant to repeated flood damage, it was restored
each time, and people lived together with Gongendo Tsutsumi.

In 1916 a unit of cherry blossom was planted and in 1920, 3,000 cherry tree saplings
were planted for a distance of approx. 6 km. However, with the passage of time, in
1925 the area around the head of the Gongendo River Kurihashi was closed, and
furthermore in 1927 Gongendo River was dammed at Sekijuku resulted in the cease
of the function of the river.

In 1929 with the opening of Satte Station on the Tobu Railway, water transportation,
which had contributed to local economy to a certain extent, began to decline. 
Unfortunately, due to the defeat of the war in 1945, all the cherry tree along the
Gongendo bank were cut down for fuel. But in the hope of resuming it to original
Sakuratsutsumi(bank of cherry blossoms), in 1949 some 3,000 cherry tree saplings
were planted and about 1,000 out of those remain until now which are making existing scene.

Taisho 9 (1920)

Three thousand cherry trees were planted at Gongendo embankment for a distance of approx.
6km, reported in a news paper, Kokumin, dated November 25, 1920.

Taisho 10 (1921)

Shipping business was well flourished in Gongendo river as a base of loading and unloading for supplies with some 30 barges from max load of 30 koku (rice of 4500 kg) to 130 koku (rice of 19,500 kg) around that time.

Taisho 11 (1922)

As cherry trees, which were planted in 1920, started blooming, people began to make it a habit to get together at the embankment to look at cherry blossoms as well as Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tsukuba seeking for peace of mind in canola flower and young grass trembling in the breeze.

Taisho 13 (1924)

Gongendo embankment was lined with street stalls and grew crowded as cherry blossoms become well known, having been introduced in various channels. 

Taisho 14 (1925)

Among many visitors for cherry blossom viewing from surrounding area, some came up by boat through Edo river from Tokyo.

Showa 3 (1928)

It is well presumed the bustling of cherry blossom festival from the number of street stalls having been so many.

Showa 4 (1929)

A news paper Tokyo-Nichi-Nichi introduced Satte Gongendo embankment (Miyuki embankment) Sakura festival. Satte station in Tobu line opened. “Sokonuke” stalls were pulled around a circular motion, turning out at Sakuratsutsumi embankment.

Showa 7 (1932)

Stall keepers were lined up and performances were given, pitching tents.
During the festival special trains were available from Asakusa st. to Satte st. in Tobu line.

Showa 8 (1933)

Satte youth group conducted viewing cherry blossom as business at Gongendo embankment(Miyuki embankment)such as rescue, traffic control, guide for visitors, serving tea, etc. (Daily wage: 0.4 yen/day, subsidy from Satte town 100 yen, subsidy from Satte chamber of commerce 10 yen). Bike touring as wrap-up to Mt. Tsukuba, Amabiki-kannon and Kasama Inari shrine.

Showa 10 (1935)

Sakura embankment from Kurihashi to Nishi-Sekiyado was appointed by Tokyo city to be green space area. Satte youth group performed trafic control, cleaning during cherry blossom festival.

Showa 15 (1940)

There were many filatures around the area and workers lined up from Satte station to Sakura embankment for company outing.

Showa 18 (1943)

Even during the war cherry blossom viewing was carried out.

Showa 20 (1945)

Sakura trees were all cut down for US army occupied in Satte city. Trees were supplied to all household for fuel.

Showa 24 (1949)

Some 3,000 young trees were planted along national road no. 4 to prefectural road for about 1 km of embankment. (About 1,000 trees remain now)

Showa 26 (1951)

Various events were planned and conducted by Satte Hoshou kai such as setting up hiking course, opening Sakura tsutsumi, entertainment, concert, dance performance, etc.

Showa 28 (1953)

It has been selected “Top 30” in “50 sightseeing spots in Saitama pref.” sponsored by Saitama shinbun. Taking advantage of this opportunity Satte Hoshou kai planted 60 cherry trees.

Showa 29 (1954)

Gongendo Sakura embankment has won 4th place in the Saitama Sakura competition sponsored by Saitama shinbun.

Showa 30 (1955)

Viewing in night was conducted with light of bonbori. Satte Kanko Kyokai (tourism association) has been set up. Chairman/Tonotsuka town mayor, Vice chairman/Nakamura tourism association chairman

Showa 32 (1957)

Photo session was held sponsored by the all-Japan association of photographic societies and Urawa branch of Asahi shinbun.

Showa 34 (1959)

Local performing arts of each village in Satte town opened to the public. Hayashi and men-kagura of Kawasaki, te-odori of Chizuka, ameya-odori of Hitotsudani and Sekiyado-bayashi.

Showa 39 (1964)

Band performance by Satte youth group was conducted and crowd for viewing cherry blossom has increased.

Showa 40 (1965)

Various events were held such as folk dance, chindonya, sketch competition, haiku competition, photograph, herabuna fising, senryu, entertainment, etc.

Showa 45 (1970)

Cherry blossom of Gongendo itself became excellent level but local people tended to go to Ohmiya, Noda and Ueno for cherry blossom viewing. So Satte tourism association put effort into introducing cherry blossom of Gongendo embankment.

Showa 58 (1983)

Miyuki embankment and Gongendo embankment have been designated as cultural assets of Satte town.

Showa 59 (1984)

“Sakura musume (cherry blossom daughter)” competition was held by Satte tourism association.

Showa 62 (1987)

North public hall opened. “Sakura musume” competition has been changed the name to “Miss Sakura” competition.

Showa 63 (1988)

Canola flower has been planted in surrounding farm land for 19,000 ㎡.

Heisei 6 (1994)

Satte city launched the campaign of “Sakura 100,000”.

Heisei 8 (1996)

Planting hydrangea has started.

Heisei 12 (2000)

The 12th “Sakura summit” was held in Satte city.

Heisei 13 (2001)

The 1st “Ajisai(Hydrangea) festival was held.

Heisei 18 (2006)

The 1st “Manjushage(red spider lily) festival” was held.

Heisei 20 (2008)

Gongendo park has been placed under prefectural administration.

Heisei 22 (2010)

The 1st “Suisen(Daffodil) festival” was held.

Heisei 25 (2013)

Raising goats has started.

Heisei 26 (2014)

Planting “Kawazu” cherry blossom has started.

Reiwa 1 (2019)

The 27th “Sakura summit” was held.

権現堂の歴史

天正4年(1576年)に初めて権現堂堤が築かれました。
しかし、権現堂堤はすべてが同時期に築堤されたのではなく、河川流路の締め切りやそれに伴う築堤により、部分的に作られていったものが、後に、つながり権現堂堤になったとされています。

このためには、庄内川の締め切りや旧渡良瀬川流路締め切り、同年に築堤された権現堂村の堤など段階的に行われた河川の締め切りから、権現堂堤や権現堂川の成立がうかがわれます。

この権現堂川は、暴れ河川としても知られ、宝永元年(1704年)に、権現堂堤が始めて切れてより、幾度も決壊し、ここが切れると、遠く江戸まで害が及ぶと言われ、大切に管理されていました。

天明6年(1786年)権現堂堤木立村の波堤により、濁流に飲み込まれた村人は、銀杏の大木にすがり避難したが、それも根こそぎ流され平野村の須賀間に流れ着き、無残にも75名という流死者が出ました。現在でもそのときの犠牲者の供養が行われています。

また、享和2年(1802年)権現堂の月の輪堤部分が決壊したときに、権現堂村では、80軒の民家が流される被害が出ました。母娘の順礼の悲話はこのときのものとされております。

文政9年(1826年)度重なる堤の決壊に困り、堤の補強に、上宇和田村から松石村に至る権現堂堤に松の苗木1,300本が植えましたが根づかず、何度か試みましたが結局失敗に終わりました。

このころになると、堤の管理が甘くなり、天保3年(1832年)ころには、堤通りへ竹や木が植えられ雑木林の様になり、また、屋敷の様に堤を囲い、家作や荷 蔵を造作し、川岸場の便利に利用したり、作付けのための小段とその他を掘り返し、苗木を植え付けたり、野菜などの栽培もするようになりました。

この後、時代は江戸から明治へと移り変わり、明治9年6月4日に明治天皇の東北巡幸の際に築堤工事を閲覧するため、権現堂堤の上にかごを止めさせ、金100 円が下賜された。村の人々がこのお礼に、堤の名を行幸堤としたい旨を奏上し許しを得た。また巡幸を記念して、この周辺を行幸村と称するようにした。

この頃、権現堂堤周辺は、見渡す限り平野で、堤上からは西に富士山、東に筑波と眺めがよく、大正6年に刊行された後上辰雄氏によれば、権現堂堤の風光として 次のように記しています。「春は若草のしとね青きを素足に心地快くふむで、眼下一面黄金と光る油菜の花をながめながら蝶と戯れスミレ・タンポポ・ツクシ等 と摘み草に一日の暮れるのを忘れるだらう」

このように、権現堂堤は、遠い昔より人々の想いの場所として親しまれてきました。度重なる水害にもめげず、そのつどに修復を行い権現堂堤とともに人々は暮らしてきました。

大正5年には、巣元の桜が植えられ、これを機に大正9年には、3,000本の桜の苗木が6kmにもおよび植えられました。
しかし、時代の流れとともに大正14年には、権現堂川栗橋流頭付近が締め切られ、昭和2年には、権現堂川が関宿において、突き止められてしまい、廃川の一途をたどるようになりました。

昭和4年には、東武鉄道幸手駅の開設により、それまで周辺住民の生活を支えていた船運も衰退していくようになりました。
悲しい事に、昭和20年の敗戦により、権現堂堤の桜は燃料として伐採されてしまいましたが、元の桜堤にしたいとの思いで、昭和24年に3,000本の桜の苗木が植えられ、その中の約1,000本が現在残っております。