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Walkable from Omiya Station
Omiya Park is walkable from Omiya Station (a bit under 20 minutes) and it is a pleasant place to visit if you've got time to kill in the area. There's a lot of natural beauty, and I think it'd be a great place to visit during autumn when the leaves are changing. It's also known for springtime cherry blossoms, although my visits have been outside that period unfortunately! If you are driving to the park instead of visiting via public transport, there is paid on-site parking available.
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on Apr 29
Spacious park for strolling and picnicking
When I've got appointments around Omiya Station, I like to get away from the crowded central area to Omiya Park and the neighboring Hikawa Shrine. You can walk in about 5 minutes from Omiya Koen Station which is quiet and residential. The route through the park takes you past the kyudo archery range and a history and folklore museum to a wooded area with paths overlooking a pond. The park is one of the most popular cherry blossom spots, listed among Japan's top 100, but it gets very crowded. Any time of year, you can pick up drinks at the concessions and find a shady spot to picnic.
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on Mar 18
Absolutely stunning in spring, but over-rated otherwise
Omiya park features in almost every family guide to Saitama and is highly rated online, however in my humble opinion it is totally over-rated for children. It is absolutely beautiful during cherry blossom season though and if you are planning to visit it, I would suggest this season. However, other than that period, there are far nicer parks to visit with children. The free "zoo" is very old and it is just a few animals enclosed in spaces that are way too small for them. Due to the type of caging, you also can't see them very clearly. The zoo is strategically located beside a merry go round and some other play equipment that cost money. There isn't a great selection and it ends up not being "free". All that being said, if you live locally and don't have family there are some great sporting facilities in the park and it is home to the famous Hikawa Shrine, Nack 5 Stadium and a local baseball pitch. If you can I advise you come by train as the station is close, but parking is miles away and involves using a foot bridge that is not stroller friendly.
genkidesu
on Oct 23