Often overlooked as “just a suburb of Tokyo,” Saitama actually has a rich and fascinating identity of its own. It’s home to Edo-era canal towns, the world’s greatest bonsai village, a spectacular rail museum, and some excellent ramen.
Top Attractions
1. Kawagoe (Little Edo)
Just 30 minutes from Tokyo, Kawagoe’s historic district of black-walled storehouses (kurazukuri) transports visitors back to the Edo period. The famous bell tower, sweet potato shops, and Hikawa Shrine make this one of the Kanto region’s best day trips.
2. Omiya Bonsai Village
The Omiya district of Saitama City is home to the world’s greatest concentration of professional bonsai studios. The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum displays trees that are hundreds of years old — living artworks of astonishing beauty.
3. Railway Museum
One of Japan’s best transport museums, the Railway Museum in Omiya tells the full history of Japanese rail with dozens of real trains on display and interactive simulators for all ages.
Food & Drink
Saitama is famous for Musashi-Ichinomiya Hikawa shrine-town snacks, Kawagoe sweet potato confections, and a thriving ramen scene centered around the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.
Getting There
Saitama is directly connected to central Tokyo by multiple train lines. Kawagoe is 30 minutes from Ikebukuro on the Tobu Tojo Line.
