Pink moss flower field at Hitsujiyama Park, Saitama Prefecture

Things to do in  Saitama Prefecture

Beyond the urban sprawl

Sandwiched between Tokyo and the mountains, travelers often overlook Saitama Prefecture. While parts of the prefecture act as a dormitory for Tokyo’s workers, there are many other things to do in Saitama. The western area is mountainous, with the Saitama portion of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park providing an easy natural escape when the capital's bustle gets too much. Then there are the well-preserved historic buildings in Kawagoe, bonsai-related attractions in Ōmiya, and a couple of Japan’s largest soccer and entertainment arenas. It’s the perfect place to take a day trip from Tokyo.

Learn more

Top 2 attractions in Saitama Prefecture

#1

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (Kawagoe Hikawa Jinja)

star-54
Kawagoe’s Hikawa Shrine is one of the most important shrines in Saitama Prefecture. It’s known as the shrine of love, and you’ll likely see a Shinto wedding here. Despite being one of Kawagoe’s most notable sights, the temple and surrounding grounds are usually not crowded (unless there’s a large wedding), so it's a nice place to relax.More
Tours & Tickets
#2

Kawagoe Ichibangai Shopping Street

star-52
The city of Kawagoe is nicknamed Little Edo because of its well-preserved shophouses from the Edo era (1603–1868) along Ichibangai Street, with thick clay walls and tiled roofs. Easily accessible from central Tokyo by train, the town makes an appealing, lesser-known destination for a day trip.More
Tours & Tickets

Explore Saitama Prefecture by interest

Top activities in Saitama Prefecture

The Best Of Yono Walking Tour

The Best Of Yono Walking Tour

From
$446.88
per group
Kadokawa Culture Museum Standard Ticket

Kadokawa Culture Museum Standard Ticket

From
$11.63
Bonsai Museum & Bonsai Experience

Bonsai Museum & Bonsai Experience

star-5
1
From
$161.49
Omiya Bonsai Private Tour

Omiya Bonsai Private Tour

From
$190.00
per group
Private Mount Fuji tour from Narita airport /Haneda airport/Tokyo

Private Mount Fuji tour from Narita airport /Haneda airport/Tokyo

From
$749.00
The Best Of Saitama Walking Tour

The Best Of Saitama Walking Tour

From
$392.02
per group
Kawagoe Private Tour~Timeslip into photogenic retro-looking town

Kawagoe Private Tour~Timeslip into photogenic retro-looking town

From
$190.00
per group
Kawagoe 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide (Kawagoe Dep)

Kawagoe 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide (Kawagoe Dep)

star-5
3
From
$90.44
Get to know the unique Japanese culture "TATAMi"! Factory tour and experience handmade tatami

Get to know the unique Japanese culture "TATAMi"! Factory tour and experience handmade tatami

star-5
1
From
$25.84
Half-day Kawagoe Walking Tour

Half-day Kawagoe Walking Tour

star-5
1
From
$59.63
Private Car/Van Charter Full Day Tour MT Fuji And Hakone, (Guide)

Private Car/Van Charter Full Day Tour MT Fuji And Hakone, (Guide)

star-5
14
From
$538.00
per group
Custom Carved Eternity Friendship Pendants

Custom Carved Eternity Friendship Pendants

From
$331.27
per group
Kawagoe: Traditional Kimono Experience at WARGO

Kawagoe: Traditional Kimono Experience at WARGO

From
$37.00
14:00 local rafting tour half day (3 hours)

14:00 local rafting tour half day (3 hours)

From
$51.68
Fuji Shibasakura Festival in Golden week Private Day Tour.
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Fuji Shibasakura Festival in Golden week Private Day Tour.

star-5
78
From
$500.00
per group
Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu

Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu

From
$190.00
per group
Local 9 o'clock set-up rafting half-day (3 hours)

Local 9 o'clock set-up rafting half-day (3 hours)

From
$51.68
Private Tour to Kawagoe with Photographer and Spanish-Speaking Guide

Private Tour to Kawagoe with Photographer and Spanish-Speaking Guide

From
$310.00
per group
Custom Made Jade Carvings

Custom Made Jade Carvings

From
$185.51
Carve your own Jade Carvings, Jade Carving Workshop

Carve your own Jade Carvings, Jade Carving Workshop

star-5
1
From
$74.54
See all Saitama Prefecture tours

All about Saitama Prefecture

When to visit

Saitama Prefecture generally experiences the same climate as Tokyo: a hot and humid summer, cold winter, and delightful spring and fall. There are many lovely places to spot cherry blossoms in the spring, and the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is a popular leaf-peeping destination come fall. Although most travelers will prefer to avoid the intensely muggy summer, Saitama hosts some epic summer festivals in the hotter months, including many fireworks displays.

Getting around

Saitama Prefecture is part of the greater Tokyo region so southern areas are very well-connected by train to the capital. Many train lines run through Saitama City, Ōmiya, and Urawa in the south of the prefecture. Some towns in the northern parts of the prefecture are accessible by bus only, but there’s not much to interest travelers in these places anyway. The Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park in western Saitama Prefecture is connected to Tokyo by rail on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line from Ikebukuro.

Traveler tips

If you only have time to visit one place in Saitama Prefecture, make it Kawagoe, a historic town just a 30-minute train ride from central Tokyo. It’s often said to have the same vibe as Tokyo’s Asakusa but without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Although much of the Tokyo region was decimated at the end of World War II, Kawagoe’s Little Edo district retains some beautiful and well-preserved Edo-period (1603–1868) buildings.

Local Currency
Japanese Yen (¥)
Time Zone
JST (UTC +9)
Country Code
+81
Language(s)
Japanese
Attractions
2
Tours
31
Reviews
4
EN
3ddc9fe8-7cf2-42b0-acdb-62b8dd6dea70
geo_hub

People Also Ask

What is Saitama best known for?

Saitama Prefecture is best known for its bonsai trees; the Edo-era architecture in Kawagoe; Saitama Stadium and Saitama Super Arena; and Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, which partly falls in this prefecture. The Ōmiya Bonsai Art Museum and Ōmiya Bonsai Park are both in Saitama City and are the two large stadiums. Historic Kawagoe and the mountainous national park are further west in Saitama Prefecture.

...More
What can you do in Saitama?

There are many interesting and worthwhile things to do in Saitama Prefecture—many are an easy day trip from Tokyo. Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the trails of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, while those wanting a dose of Japanese culture should check out Kawagoe’s Little Edo or Oshi Castle in Gyōda City.

...More
Can you see Mt. Fuji from Saitama?

Yes, Mt. Fuji is sometimes visible from across Saitama Prefecture and from Saitama City, but don’t come here just for the Fuji views. Saitama City is about 110 miles (180 kilometers) from the mountain, and the air needs to be clear for Fuji to be visible—after a thunderstorm is ideal.

...More
Where can I see sakura in Saitama?

There are many places to see sakura (cherry blossoms) in Saitama. In urban areas, Ōmiya Park (Ōmiya Kōen) in Saitama City has around 1,200 cherry trees, and the annual Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi festival is held on the banks of the Arakawa River in Kumagaya. In western Saitama, the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is also a lovely place to see sakura.

...More
What island is Saitama on?

Saitama Prefecture is on the Japanese island of Honshu. It’s the most densely inhabited island in Japan, where the major cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto (among many others) are. Saitama Prefecture is north and northwest of Tokyo, and Saitama City is around 18 miles (30 kilometers) from central Tokyo.

...More
Is Saitama landlocked?

Yes, Saitama Prefecture and Saitama City within it are landlocked. At its closest point, Saitama Prefecture is only about 12 miles (20 kilometers) from the sea in Tokyo Bay, but Tokyo sits between Saitama and the ocean. The western part of Saitama Prefecture is mountainous and rural, while the eastern part is flat and densely populated.

...More
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top things to do in Saitama Prefecture?
A:
Q:
What are the top activities in Saitama Prefecture?
A:
Q:
What are the top things to do near Saitama Prefecture?
A:
Check out things to do near Saitama Prefecture:

More Tours in Saitama Prefecture