Nov 16, 2025
What do you most associate with Saitama?
November 14th is Saitama Prefecture Day. I am curious, especially as I live there, what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when I say "Saitama Prefecture"? About Saitama Prefecture Day; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/wmeY2-living_saitama
Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com
Best Answer
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on Nov 16
Funnily enough I would say one of the main things I associate with Saitama is you! You do a really brilliant job of promoting the prefecture, I think they should hire you for marketing and PR stuff! In terms of attractions, I think Kawagoe is a big one that comes to mind. When I lived in Tokyo we would often take visitors there who wanted that traditional streetscape feeling but weren't headed down to Kyoto or elsewhere. I also think of bonsai (the museum in Omiya) and Omiya as a whole, because the shinkansen from Tokyo to Niigata stops there.
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on Nov 16
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on Nov 16
@genkidesu Me, too! I keep going back to Insaitama for weekend excursions as Saitama is adjacent to Chiba Prefecture. A wealth of info - https://insaitama.com/
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on Nov 16
@TonetoEdo yes, her blog is so detailed and honestly one of the best resources out there for Saitama-related things to see and do!
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on Nov 17
@genkidesu and @tonetoedo you are both too kind. Thank you for these lovely comments and feedback, you've made my week.
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on Nov 18
@BigfamJapan Thanks to your effort, I get a lot of insight into Saitama spots. As you know from my posts, retro towns are on my list. I'm a repeat visitor to Kawagoe with my international guests. I'm curious about Okegawa City and Ogawa Town. Is there enough to see and do to merit day trips at these locations?
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on Nov 19
Desptite it's reputation, there are charming neighborhoods in Saitama. First I think of Omiya, as I studied calligraphy in Kita-ku and still stop by when I'm in Kanto. I used to walk through Bonsai cho. The last time I was there I walked through the park and bought a bunch of freshly made senbei from a little shop near there. I worked in Kazo city which is known for koinobori decorations. There are huge koi in their fountains and they have koinobori shaped taiyaki.
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on Nov 20
@helloalissa a reputation undeserved. I did not know about the koinobori shaped taiyaki. I have to try that. Thanks for sharing.
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on Nov 20
@TonetoEdo Ogawa town, in my opinion, yes, at anytime of the year. But unfortunately it is not very well serviced by public transport. Okegawa .... hmmm, there are things to do and see all year round, but they're not very engaging. However, seasonally, yes. For example, when the safflowers are in bloom near the new roadside station, or the cherry blossoms x tulips in Shiroyama park, which is across the road from the roadside station. There is an old air base museum within relative walking distance of the park. There is a better bus service in Okegawa. And you would need to use it, because around the station there isn't much, well there's the old nakasendo. There are some really nice festivals on around the station in summer and autumn though.
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on Nov 20
@BigfamJapan Thanks for the heads-up on transport in and around these locations. I guess I'll mark Okegawa on the calendar for flowers and nature walks.
10 Answers