Welcome to Saitama Prefecture! Located just north of Tokyo, many cities in Saitama are considered commuter towns, with many residents commuting to Tokyo each day. This landlocked prefecture is close enough to Tokyo to offer a quick getaway to enjoy beautiful nature. Saitama is blessed with a variety of sightseeing resources such as “Little Edo” Kawagoe which retains its appearance from the Edo era, the greenery of Chichibu and Nagatoro, as well as magnificent local specialties, anime, various events, and so on. Many visitors enjoy a day trip from Tokyo to Kawagoe since it is only a 30-minute train ride away.
While Tokyo’s metropolitan sprawl swallows most of eastern Saitama, the western parts are mostly rural and mountainous. It is a safe haven of preserved history and lined with historic houses.
Has many sightseeing spots such as railway museum and bonsai village
Forested mountains famous for its shrines and beautiful nature
Known as "Little Edo" suitable as a day trip destination
There are so many things to see and do in Saitama, from the fascinating and historic temples in Kawagoe, picturesque hiking courses in mountainous areas like Chichibu, tranquil tea fields in Sayama, and famous cruise in Nagatoro River.
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Different regions have their own traditional recipes and agricultural farming system. Many of the regional dishes can only be tasted in the original area they came from.
Senbei (rice crackers) is made by baking stretched rice over charcoal and brushing it with soy sauce. This famous Japanese snack was originated in Soka City, Saitama Prefecture during the Edo period. It is easy to carry and became a big hit among travelers.
Other than Hamanako in Shizuoka, unagi is also extremely famous in Saitama, especially in the areas of Urawa and Kawagoe. Taken from the surrounding river, the eel is carefully gutted, deboned, cut into shorter pieces, stuck onto wooden skewers, broiled on a charcoal grill, dipped into the soy-sauce-based glaze, and grilled some more. The result is both tender and flaky unagi, with satisfyingly crispy edges and a deep, satisfying flavor.
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Whether this is your first time visiting, or returning, make sure to participate in these unique activities, that cannot be done elsewhere!
At various places in Saitama, you can experience authentic soba making, with techniques that have long passed down. You can try out the whole process yourself, from kneading the soba dough and shaping it, then finally slicing it with a knife. The soba is made from buckwheat flour and pesticide-free. The whole experience takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Iwatsuki, a small district of Saitama, is nicknamed the "City of Dolls." It began making dolls in the 17th century, and the figures were used in festivals all over Japan. Japanese dolls are artistically valuable for their gentle features and beautiful costumes. You can choose your favorite color and pattern for the kimono to dress your doll in.
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Never miss out good deals on these strategic and well known hotels. Contact us for more information!
Kawagoe Prince Hotel
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Need ideas for your trip? Click on below and find the right customised tour for your group!