Gyoda

Gyoda

Gyoda City is located next to Gunma Prefecture with the Tone River as its border. A district in Gyoda City "Sakitama" is recorded in "Manyoshu," the Japan's earliest collection of poems currently in existence (which was put together between the end of the 7th century and the end of the 8th century). The name of Saitama Prefecture is also believed to be named after this area. There are many old tomb mounds still remaining in the city, allowing people to wander through Japanese ancient history.
Gyoda is also famous for Oshi Castle, which was considered impregnable, and later, was used as the subject of the best-selling novel "Nobo no Shiro".
As for local specialty, there are dishes called "Fries" and "Jelly Fries". Fries are similar to a crepe, made from flour, green onion, and egg cooked on an iron plate; Jelly Fries are made of potato and okara bean curd mixed and fried. You can find these locally-loved foods almost anywhere in the city such as coffee shops and butcher shops.