Steam Engine Trains, Shaved Iced, and Shichimi Udon in Kumagaya, Saitama
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CONTENTS
Hop on the next train for some Kumagaya gourmet treats!
Kumagaya
Our second destination of the Saitama trip was Kumagaya.
This area is known to be a Shukuba【宿場：しゅくば】, a place where people rest along their journey, along Nakasendo【中山道：なかせんどう】, one of Edo Period's famous journey routes.
The area is also known for an unfortunate reason as the hottest city in Japan, but people see that aspect as an opportunity to enjoy the summer activities and cold desserts you can find around the area.
The Paleo Express departing from Kumagaya station
The Kumagaya rugby stadium
Preview of the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium
One of the fields holding the games for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Kumagaya stadium is going to host three games out of all the matches, those are
– Russia V.S. Samoa (Sept 24)
– Georgia V.S. Uruguay (Sept 29)
– Argentina V.S. USA (Oct 9)
The stadium holds up to 25,600 people and was built specifically for rugby games, which makes it unique in Japan. Therefore, they hold a lot of the Japanese top rugby leagues games, hence is one of the favourite stadiums amongst the Japanese rugby fans.
Yukikuma: A special shaved ice at Nishida-en
Sure, you have tried the shaved ice in Japan. There are many places that serve this Japanese summer dessert, but this…
Yukikuma is a special kind of Kakigori【かき氷：かきごおり】, shaved ice.
There are three conditions to meet to be called a Yukikuma.
1. The water used for the ice is sourced from Kumagaya's natural springs.
2. The blade is maintained well to shave the ice nice and soft to give it that smooth touch to the mouth.
3. Uses homemade syrups and ingredients.
Once all conditions are met, the shaved ice can be called Yukikuma【雪くま：ゆきくま】.
Genmaicha Azuki Milk flavour
One of their specialty flavours which is a combination of Genmaicha【玄米茶：げんまいちゃ】 (green tea with roasted rice), Azuki【小豆：あずき】 (red bean paste) and condensed milk.
The subtle bitterness of the green tea goes well with the sweetness of the condensed milk and the red bean paste.
Chano Nishida En
Address: 1523 Menuma, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0201 (Map)
Open Hours: from 9:00 till 19:30 Monday to Saturday
Blend your own spice to go with your Kumagaya udon at Kumatamaya!
Shichimi is a blend of seven different flavours using spices and herbs that are commonly available in Japan, and is one of the favourite condiments used in Japan.
Here at Kumatamaya, you can make this spice with your own ratio of the blend.
Do you like more of the hotness of chilli?
Do you prefer the lovely roasted aroma of the toasted sesame seeds?
Or do you love the citrusy flavours of powdered orange peel?
Add more of whatever you like!
Kumagaya being a place growing their own wheat, they are also famous for their Udon noodles.
Enjoy your noodles hot or cold.
Kumatamaya
Address: 〒360-0037 Saitama, Kumagaya, Tsukuba, 1-chōme−２−115 (Map)
located right inside the Kumagaya station.
Open Hours: from 10:30 till 20:00 every day.
The Paleo Express, a steam locomotive train running from Kumagaya to Mitsumineguchi Station in Chichibu.
Grab your ticket and hop on!
The Paleo express will take you on a journey of Saitama.
Leaving from Kumagaya station this train will take you to Chichibu (our previous destination) through Nagatoro and other famous areas in Saitama.
We actually have an article that writes in detail about this steam locomotive.
Read more about the train ride here in our previous article
Running through the nature of Saitama near Nagatoro.
The cute tickets can be kept as a memorial souvenir.
That is it for our second destination!
Keep up with our Saitama trip that we've had during this summer. There are many more places to visit around the prefecture!
Stay tuned by subscribing to our YouTube channel JAPANKURU for more videos like this.
We have a facebook and Instagram account as well. Drop us a comment to let us know how you think about our articles or to share your travel around Japan.
We also have a YouTube channel showing behind-the-scene videos at JKUR Studios.
See you again soon!
Details
NAME:Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture
MAP
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium: 810 Kamikawakami, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0004
Nishida-En: 1523 Menuma, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0201
Kumatamaya: 〒360-0037 Saitama, Kumagaya, Tsukuba, 1-chōme−２−115
Kumagaya Station for Paleo Express: 2-chōme-115 Tsukuba, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0037
ACCESS:Kumagaya Station
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Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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