Saitama: Best Things to Do

Image by Fujiwara Kota from Google Maps.

Saitama is the most populous city in the district of Saitama Perfecture and located in the north of Tokyo, Japan

It’s the merging of four cities; Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki

It has many cultural parks, sites, and museums that will amaze travelers

Most of its attraction places are cultural and historical such as Hikawa Shrine, Omiya Park, Railway Museum, Cocoon City, and many more

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SIGHTSEEING

Being the capital of Saitama Prefecture, Saitama has over 1,2 million population. However, it has a lot of tourist attractions with cultural and historical temples. Since Japan is known for Shinto beliefs, Saitama is a good place to learn more about Japanese culture and history. Recommended places here are Hikawa Shrine and Omiya Park.

Hikawa Shrine

Founded in 473 BCE, this Shinto shrine sits in a park with numerous cherry trees, a zoo & museum

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Omiya Park

This long-running, 68-hectare park features Japanese Red Pine forest & cherry blossoms

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DOWNTOWN

Saitama can be reached from Tokyo by metropolitan rail. Located on the northern side of Tokyo, you can find destinations such as the Railway Museum. Here you can see Saitama's history through the train and its contribution to the city.

Railway Museum

Modern, interactive museum focusing on the history of railway development in Japan & abroad

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SHOPPING

Cocoon City (Saitama-Shintoshin) is the main area to buy stuff and things. Located near the JR Saitama-Shintoshin Station, it consists of three buildings named Cocoon 1, Cocoon 2, and Cocoon 3. Sogō Ōmiya is also one good place for shopping. It’s a department store located near West Exit of Ōmiya Station and provides anything men and women need.

Cocoon City

Large, modern mall with popular global chain retailers, a movie theater & restaurants

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Sogō Ōmiya

Ōmiya (大宮区, Ōmiya-ku) is one of ten wards of the city of Saitama, in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, and is located in the northeastern part of the city

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FOOD & DRINK

Visiting Saitama will not be perfect if you’re not trying Sayatama Tea. It’s kind of tea leaves and has been cultivated for almost 700 years. It has a rich and robust flavor. Eel is another great good you can find in this city. It’s known as Unagi and it’s a staple of Kawagoe and became popular in Edo Periode (1603-1867). It’s perfect to eat alongside with sake.

CULTURE

Most Japanese beliefs are Shinto, and so is Saitama. In this city, you can find numerous cultural temples and museums such as Nagayamon Nomen Art Museum, Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, and Menuma Shodenzan Temple. The temples and museums are the representation of the diverse culture exist in Saitama since years ago. These places can be visited at full one day trip.

Nagayamon Nomen Art Museum

Nagayamon Nomen Art Museum

Nomen Art Museum is a masks museum from around Japan

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Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

Garden-museum showcasing the art of bonsai with elaborate tree specimens, history displays & a shop

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Menuma Shodenzan Temple

Menuma Shodenzan Temple

St

Tenzan has a personality that excels in prowess, and is characterized by his strong personality in the Heike Monogatari, Genpei Morning and Era, Kabuki Mimori Story, and so on

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BEST TIME TO VISIT

Best time to visit Saitama is in May, June to October.

HOTEL

Miyamoto Residence is one of the oldest accommodations in Saitama. This 200-year-old inn is managed by a former of Sumō Wrestler. Staying at this place will give an authentic atmosphere of Japan’s Edo period. If you want to experience hot water spring in your hotel, Wadō is highly recommended for you.

Miyamoto Residence

Miyamoto Residence

A nostalgic space renovated from a traditional farmhouse

Relaxing country time is flowing, such as the Goemon bath, hearth, and kaiseki dining with the blessings of a private farm

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Wadō

Not only hot springs are springing up

Ideas spring up and topics never end

Wado is full of customers' smiles

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RESTAURANT

There are a lot of recommended restaurants in Saitama. First, Kotobuki Noodle Yoshikawa specializes in ramen. They serve a unique curry named Gyouda Fry or known as the Saitama Eel Rice Bowl. Another one is Negombo33 which is a must-visit restaurant, too. It is an Indian curry restaurant with a variety of menus and affordable prices.

Kotobuki Noodle Yoshikawa

Kotobuki Noodle Yoshikawa

Kotobuki Noodle Yoshikawa specializes in ramen and rice bowl

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Negombo33

This restaurant is an Indian Curry specializes in their menus and also provided Japanese food

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CAFE

Cafe Nichigetsudo is a nice place located in Saitama with their furnace baked artisan bread. The café design is wooden-house and surrounded by greenery. It’s a perfect place to take a break. If you’re looking for organic food, Alishan Organic Café is a must-visit. They serve organic and vegan foods with the view of a gorgeous river.

Cafe Nichigetsudo

Cafe Nichigetsudo

A quiet moment of candles on the terrace overlooking the river, in a space between wood and earth

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Alishan Organic Café

Alishan Organic Café

Alishan’s red barn is nestled in the foothills of Hidaka, Saitama

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BAR AND NIGHTLIFE

Nightlife in Saitama isn’t that different from other cities in Japan. If you’re in Saitama, Kurand Sake Market Ueno is a recommendation. It provides a variety of sake and other spirits. Magic Bar Tejinaya Shinjuku is a good place to get all-you-can-drink at affordable prices. The bar also features a magic show that will make your night gets exciting.

Kurand Sake Market

Kurand Sake Market

Sake is all the more delicious when you drink knowing who made it and the passion that went into it

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Magic Bar Tejinaya

Magic Bar Tejinaya

Unlimited magic! There is also a powerful stage show!

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INTERESTING PLACE

Saitama lets travelers learn more about the culture and history of the city. These places are great to be put on your bucket lists; Omiya Bonsai Art, Tobu Zoo, Omiya Park, Hikawa Shrine, and Railway Station Museum.

Hikawa Shrine

Founded in 473 BCE, this Shinto shrine sits in a park with numerous cherry trees, a zoo & museum

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Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

Garden-museum showcasing the art of bonsai with elaborate tree specimens, history displays & a shop

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INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT

Most of the places in Saitama are Instagramable, so make sure you take pictures on these places; Nagayamon Nomen Art Museum where you can see various 'strange' masks from Japan, Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is the home for bonsai tree with unique arts.

Nagayamon Nomen Art Museum

Nagayamon Nomen Art Museum

Nomen Art Museum is a masks museum from around Japan

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Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

Garden-museum showcasing the art of bonsai with elaborate tree specimens, history displays & a shop

Want to know more ?