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A Quick Trip to Saitama: Bonsai, Japanese Eats, Railway History, and Other Fun Near the Shinkansen Station

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Omiya Station is a stop on more than half the shinkansen routes in Japan, but the surrounding museums, shrines, gardens, and local cuisine of Saitama Prefecture still feel like some of Japan’s best kept secrets. For an off-the-beaten-path spot in Japan that’s so accessible it’s a stop on the shinkansen, try a visit to Omiya, and stay a night in Saitama!

Make Time for a Stop in Saitama



Tokyo's northern neighbor, Saitama is an unexplored treasure trove of culture, food, and fun for many travelers visiting Japan, most of whom never seem to save enough time for the trip just outside the borders of Japan's capital. Those who make the journey to Saitama are rewarded with tranquil Japanese gardens, bustling museums, ancient shrines, luxurious meals, and friendly nightlife. And yet, many tourists leapfrog the area in favor of better-known destinations. Fortunately, Saitama is easy enough to get to from Tokyo, or even better, directly from Narita or Haneda Airport. And every JR EAST shinkansen line heading into Japan's picturesque northern regions first stops in at Saitama's Omiya Station, which is both a transportation hub and a thriving center of Saitama city life. If you're planning a trip from Tokyo or its airports to Sendai, Aomori, Niigata, Nagano, Kanazawa, or any of the other well-known areas in the northeastern half of Japan, Omiya Station is already on the way! For travelers hoping to pack in as many of Japan's wonders as will fit into a journey through the country, a stop in Omiya and a quick look at Saitama is the perfect way to add a whole variety of new experiences to the trip.

To find some of Saitama's hidden treasures, we consulted with those who know best – JR staff at the local Saitama train stations! Join us as we check out their recommendations for the best things to do in Saitama.

Sightseeing Starting from Omiya Station: A Station for Train Lovers



Omiya Station was first established in 1885, when the Nippon Railway was building some of the first train lines to connect Tokyo with regions further north, and the rush of people traveling those popular routes turned it into the busy major station found today. The Omiya area entered the modern era hand in hand with the local railroads, and it's now one of a handful of "Railway Towns'' across Japan, officially dubbed "Railway Town Omiya." These days Omiya Station is one of the top 10 busiest JR EAST stations, and buses arrive every day directly from Haneda and Narita airports to start people on their journeys through Japan. The many JR EAST shinkansen lines passing through the modern Omiya Station make it one of the most convenient gateways to Saitama and northern Japan, but they also make it a wonderland for fans of bullet trains. Omiya Station has three shinkansen platforms lined up next to each other, something of a rarity even in Japan, and the central platform even has an established shinkansen viewing area for the trains. But the shinkansen platform isn't even the only popular spot for train-watchers at Omiya Station! Next door, the Omiya General Rolling Stock Center was built with tracks connecting to Omiya Station back in 1894, and it still operates as a maintenance facility for JR trains of all kinds. Take a peek at the area beyond Omiya Station's track 11, and if you're lucky, you might just be able to join some fellow railway fanatics in checking out a super rare train on its way for repairs.



Omiya Station is bustling on both sides of the ticket gates, with a whole mall of shops and restaurants attached to the station facilities, event spaces often used to sell regional products from around Japan, and ample options for eki-ben (駅弁, train station bento boxes) to eat during your next shinkansen ride. A hint from the Omiya Station Staff: if you're not sure which eki-ben to choose, they recommend the "Tohge no Kamameshi" bento from Oginoya, the "Niku Domannaka" bento that features Yamagata "domannaka" rice and wagyu beef, or one of the handful of heated (!) bento boxes made with Sendai beef tongue! But one spot that travelers will definitely want to check out in the station is the JR EAST Travel Service Center, where JR travel experts are waiting to help visitors plan the trip of their dreams, or just offer a helpful suggestion or two. It's a great place to get some fresh ideas to add to your travel plans, and the Station Work booths hidden away beside the counter are probably the best place to find a little peace and quiet while waiting for a train, according to Omiya Station staff. 

If you need a meeting point to find your friends or family after exploring the station, Omiya locals will tell you that the huge metal "Mamenoki" (豆の木, "Bean Tree") is everyone's favorite spot. Meet back at the Mamenoki before you get on the train, or before you head out of the station and into the Omiya area.



Near the station, Omiya's Railway Museum is worth a visit whether you're a railway fanatic or not, to see the fabulous rolling stock room filled with real trains both old and new, along with one of Japan's largest model railway dioramas, and hands-on exhibits on everything from the science of railway mechanisms to music and movies inspired by trains. Their many railway simulators are especially popular with museum visitors, offering the chance to drive a (simulated) shinkansen Hayabusa and a (simulated) steam locomotive, or even try working as a train conductor by opening train doors and making announcements. If you're feeling hungry, you can pick up a real eki-ben and eat your bento in an old train car! To get to the museum you can take Omiya's "Saitama New Urban Transit New Shuttle" just one stop to Tetsudō-Hakubutsukan Station, which is directly connected to the museum entrance.

The Railway Museum (鉄道博物館)
3-47 Onaricho, Omiya Ward, Saitama
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (closed Tuesdays & New Year's holidays)
Admission: adults 1,300 yen | elementary, middle, and high school students 620 yen | children 3 and older 310 yen (discounts available for advance tickets)
*Ticket prices due to change from April 2024.
Access: 2 min on the Saitama New Urban Transit New Shuttle to Tetsudō-Hakubutsukan Station
Official Website (en)



For a dose of rich local culture, spend the evening in the area around Omiya Station for good food and plentiful drinks. The many railway workshop workers populating the area for the last century have made napolitan pasta (spaghetti with ketchup sauce) a local favorite, to the point that many local restaurants specialize in the dish, and belong to the "Omiya Napolitan Association." (Find a map of popular napolitan restaurants on the association's homepage.) For izakaya pubs buzzing with the locals, plus other bars and general nightlife, a couple of the streets near the station are particularly popular after dark. According to the Omiya Station staff, Suzuran-dori St. is the place to go for Japanese chains and bigger places where they're more likely to speak English, whereas nearby West Side St. has more little hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants. No matter which establishment you end up in, though, you'll get a good idea of what Omiya nightlife is all about!

See More of Saitama: Gardens, Food, Shrines, and Picturesque Edo Streets

Naka-Urawa Station: A Walk in the Park



While Omiya Station might be a lively transportation hub, it's not the only place to spend time in Saitama, and many other stations nearby offer very different experiences. The quiet neighborhood around Naka-Urawa Station is full of locals going about their everyday life, and nearby Besshonuma Park is a peaceful oasis of striking dawn redwoods (also called metasequoias) reflected in the placid waters of a large marsh, populated with ducks and koi fish. The park is the perfect place to get a breath of fresh air and enjoy a walk among the redwoods, and you can savor the dappled sunlight coming in through the tree canopies. Autumn might be the most beautiful time of year to visit Besshonuma Park, especially once the tall trees go from green to a warm shade of orange, but it's worth seeing all year round. Even after dark, thanks to the lamps along the path that light up the trees from below!

Besshonuma Park (別所沼公園)
4-12-10 Bessho, Minami Ward, Saitama
Access: 4 min on foot from Naka-Urawa Station
Official Website (jp)

Urawa Station: Eel Cuisine & Dango for the Foodies



Ask the locals around Urawa Station, and they'll tell you that there's a bit of a long-term feud between the Urawa and Omiya areas of Saitama, with each one vying to prove they're the best. But there's no reason why travelers shouldn't get to visit both and enjoy what makes each of the areas so special! Urawa Station isn't a stop on the shinkansen, so it doesn't quite measure up to Omiya Station in terms of size, but it has an even longer history and celebrated 140 years of railway service in 2023. Urawa Station is also a station overflowing with love for the local soccer team, with a whole section called the "Urawa Soccer Street" dedicated to the Urawa Red Diamonds (or "Urawa Reds"). Urawa's hometown pride is evident wherever you look, giving the whole area a convivial atmosphere that's fun to be around.

The Urawa Station staff were more than happy to give us recommendations for exploring Urawa, and the area around the station has plenty to see. The nearby temple of Gyokuzoin dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), when it's said it was founded by the famous monk Kobo Daishi. In the other direction, Tsuki Shrine is somewhere around 2,000 years old, and not only is the ancient shrine guarded by rabbits instead of lion dogs, but it's also one of the few shrines in Japan that has no torii gate at all! (Shrine legend says that the gate was removed because it got in the way of offerings sent to the yearly gathering of Japan's eight million gods in Izumo.) But most of all, Urawa was once a stop on Japan's major Nakasendo road, a route that connected Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital. And because of its particular location, Urawa has been the go-to lunch spot for travelers since the Edo period (1603-1868).



Though it's hard to imagine these days, Saitama was once full of the kind of marshy land where eels thrive, and to this day the area is known for serving some of Japan's best "unagi." In the days when samurai followed the Nakasendo route to traverse Japan, Urawa was just the right distance from Tokyo for travelers to stop in for a hearty midday meal before they were back on their way, and you can follow in their footsteps by taking a break from your own journey at Nakamuraya. This family-owned restaurant specializes in unagi kabayaki (grilled eel), and the eel is cooked over binchotan charcoal while being basted with their special house-made sauce for rich, mouth-watering flavor that goes perfectly over a bed of warm white rice. Order the unaju for a taste of Urawa history!

Nakamuraya (中村家)
3-2-12 Takasago, Urawa Ward, Saitama
Hours:
 Mon ~ Fri: 11:00 – 14:30 / 17:00 – 21:00 (last order 19:50)
 Sat: 11:00 – 14:00 / 17:30 – 20:00 (last order 19:30)
 (closed Sundays)
Access: 7 min on foot from Urawa Station
Official Website (jp)



Saitama has some of the highest rates of dessert consumption in Japan, so for something a little sweeter, look no further than the dango specialty shop Tokiwa Dango. Dango are chewy little Japanese dumplings made of rice flour (sometimes called mochi), and at this shop in front of Urawa Station, they top them with slabs of sweet red bean paste or a thick dusting of kinako (roasted soybean powder). The shop interior has a handful of tables and the cozy feel of an old-fashioned Japanese cafe, providing the perfect place to relax and enjoy the simple flavors of these traditional sweets.

Tokiwa Dango (ときわだんご)
1-12-1 Takasago, Urawa Ward, Saitama
Hours: 10:00 – 20:00
Access: 2 min on foot from Urawa Station
Official Page (jp)

Toro Station: Become a Bonsai Expert



It's hard to find a hobby that feels more Japanese than bonsai, and there's nowhere better to learn about this unique part of Japanese culture than the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. Close to a century ago, a group of bonsai specialists moved from Tokyo after the Great Kanto Earthquake, settling in Omiya and bringing their art with them. The area was named the Omiya Bonsai Village, and to this day it's still dotted with bonsai tree specialist shops and related facilities, including this museum. A tour of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum starts with a trip through the Collection Gallery, to give visitors a quick but thorough introduction to the art of bonsai, perfect for the uninitiated. On one wall, simple displays go over the features that distinguish different kinds of bonsai, from the type of tree to the way it's planted and pruned. On the other wall, a varied collection of trees and bonsai accessories give visitors a chance to train their eyes. After learning about what makes each bonsai tree unique and admiring the museum's "zashiki-kazari'' displays set up within traditional tatami mat rooms, guests get to explore the bonsai garden, which contains dozens of carefully maintained examples of the art. The tiny trees rarely top more than a couple meters in height, and the diminutive stature often seems to contradict their true age – many of the bonsai have been alive for over a century, and at least one is literally over 1,000 years old. Of course, the art of bonsai is all about cultivating the majestic grace of a full-grown tree in miniature! Head up to the museum's second floor to look out over the garden and marvel at the wonder of these trees that have been so carefully taken care of by so many generations of bonsai lovers.

Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama (さいたま市大宮盆栽美術館)
2-24-3 Torocho, Kita Ward, Saitama
Hours:
 Mar ~ Oct: 9:00 – 16:30
 Nov ~ Feb: 9:00 – 16:00
 (final admission 30 min prior to closing, closed Thursdays)
Admission: adults 310 yen | high school/university students & seniors 150 yen | children 100 yen
Access: 5 min on foot from Toro Station
Official Website (jp)

Kawagoe Station: A Visit to “Little Edo”



Take a trip back in time with an easy train trip from Omiya to Kawagoe, only about 20 minutes with JR! Kawagoe is famous for its beautifully preserved streets dating back to various periods in Japan's past, and while you can find some very chic retro architecture from the Taisho period (1912-1926) on Taisho Roman Yume-dori, many of the most popular areas date back to the Edo era. Slip on a kimono and walk down streets like Kanetsuki-dori to feel like you've stepped back into a scene from historic Tokyo (the origin of the nickname "Little Edo"), and make sure to grab a picture of the 400-year-old “Toki no Kane” (時の鐘/“Bell of Time”) that gave the road its name. 



With so many people strolling the streets of Kawagoe, the historic district has also become a hotspot for local street food. The busy streets are lined with shops selling Japanese street food classics like dango or senbei (rice crackers), and you can even find Japanese-style unagi omelettes or unagi on a stick for sale from the counter at Unagi Denbe. But these days, Kawagoe's most popular local snacks all revolve around sweet potatoes! Walk down the street and you'll often see fellow sightseers holding cups filled with what look like long slices of sweet potato. If you don't mind waiting in line, then you too can try the crispy-crunchy osatsu chips (sweet potato chips) from Koedo Osatsuan, which come with a light sprinkling of salt and a sweet or salty dipping sauce – salty butter sauce or purple sweet potato cream are the most popular.

Unagi Denbe (うなぎ傳米)
1-10 Saiwaicho, Kawagoe, Saitama
Hours: 11:00 – 17:00 (closed Wednesdays)
Access: 25 min on foot from Kawagoe Station, or take a bus to either Otemachi or Ichibangai bus stop
Official Website (jp)

Koedo Osatsuann (小江戸おさつ庵)
15-21 Saiwaicho, Kawagoe, Saitama
Hours:
 Weekdays: 10:30 – 16:30
 Weekends/Holidays: 10:30 – 17:30
Access: 28 min on foot from Kawagoe Station, or take a bus to either Otemachi or Ichibangai bus stop
Official Instagram



To escape the hustle and bustle of Little Edo, slip away down the back alleys to find the tranquil hideaway of Tantoku Garden, a cozy Japanese garden behind a traditional house built at the turn of the century. Though small in size, the garden is full of details that make it irresistible, like a tiny shrine devoted to the god Inari with a base made from Mt. Fuji lava rock, a compact Zen garden with a carefully placed stone resembling a ship full of treasures, and the gurgling sound of water flowing past small pebbles below the hand-washing fountain. Just a short visit to the garden is enough to leave you feeling refreshed, but Tantoku also offers the chance to visit the house for a tea ceremony experience where you prepare your own traditional sweets, to really soak up the traditional atmosphere. And if you fall in love with the Tantoku house and its garden (which you might), you can even book a night to have the place all to yourself! The overnight accommodations include access to the tea room detailed in rich ebony, and a luxurious open-air bath.

Tantoku Garden (丹徳庭園)
1-8-2 Rokkenmachi, Kawagoe, Saitama
Hours: 11:00 – 15:00 (closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays)
*Reservations required.
Official Website (jp) | Official Instagram

Saitama-Shintoshin Station: Overnight in Saitama



After a day of seeing the sights, Saitama-Shintoshin Station offers an ideal place to end the night. To the east of the station, the Cocoon City complex of shopping and dining options offers a place to wind down for the night and grab a bite to eat. West of the station, the Keyaki Hiroba plaza often hosts markets and light displays for a little bit of evening entertainment. And just a few steps outside of the station, Hotel Metropolitan Saitama-Shintoshin provides a comfortable place to spend the night with Superior Single, Double, and Twin rooms, alongside the more deluxe Executive Twin rooms. This four-star hotel is known as the go-to spot for travelers going to events at the nearby Saitama Super Arena, but it's actually a favorite for railway fanatics too, thanks to the birds-eye view of Saitama-Shintoshin Station offered from the stationside guest rooms.



Guests also choose the Hotel Metropolitan Saitama-Shintoshin for its breakfast buffet, which takes full advantage of fresh eggs, soy sauce, and other ingredients grown or produced locally to create flavorful Japanese and Western breakfast staples. Their quiche and their "inaka-jiru" miso soup always get rave reviews, and the house-made dressings at the salad bar are so popular that the staff apparently get asked to sell bottles of it with some frequency. Unfortunately, the dressing isn't available for sale, but the hotel's custom-made coffee and tea blends are! At other times of day, the hotel cafe also offers lunch with a la carte mains (along with dinner on Saturdays). The desserts available with the lunch buffet often include seasonal specialties, like sweets made with local "Amarin" strawberries (specially developed by a Saitama research facility), available for a limited time (Jan. 15 ~ Feb. 29, 2024). Plus, at night, the cafe and lobby walls also serve as a huge canvas for seasonal projection mapping!)

Hotel Metropolitan Saitama-Shintoshin (ホテルメトロポリタン さいたま新都心)
JR Saitama-Shintoshin Bldg 5~10F, 11-1 Shintoshin, Chuo Ward, Saitama
Check-in/Check-out: 15:00~ / ~11:00
Access: 1 min on foot from Saitama-Shintoshin Station
Official Website (en)



After a night in Saitama, a trip to Hikawa Shrine is the perfect way to enjoy one last bit of local sightseeing before moving on. There are actually 250 Hikawa Shrines around Japan's Kanto region, but this one (officially called the Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine) is the head branch of them all, and shrine tradition states that it was established in the year 473 BCE. Yes, that's before the common era. These days the shrine's big claim to fame is the official shrine path leading to the entrance, which stretches a full two kilometers straight out from the entrance, with the very furthest shrine gate located just about a block from Saitama-Shintoshin Station (the same station as the hotel). It's the longest shrine path in Japan, and although it takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, the picturesque tree-lined walk is a refreshing way to start the day. Once you reach the end, you're rewarded with the shrine itself, with its grand halls and wide-open grounds.

If you'd rather skip some of the 30-minute walk to get to the shrine, you can start walking from Omiya Station instead. It's a little bit closer!

Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine (武蔵一宮氷川神社)
1-47 Takahanacho, Omiya Ward, Saitama
Hours: 6:00 – 17:00
Access: about 30 min on foot from Saitama-Shintoshin Station via the official shrine path, or 18 min on foot from Omiya Station
Official Website (jp)



In recent years, little cafes have also started popping up along the sides of the Hikawa Shrine path, and there are now several places to stop for a coffee break along the way. One of these is Tokiwa Coffee Roasters (no relation to the dango shop), which offers as many as 30 different types of coffee beans to choose from, and roasts the beans fresh for each order! Savor your fragrant cup of fresh coffee while relaxing in the indoor or outdoor seating areas, or bring it with you as you walk along the shrine path. When you're ready to go, Omiya Station is just an easy walk away!

Tokiwa Coffee Roasters Omiya Hikawa Sando Branch (常盤珈琲焙煎所 大宮氷川参道店)
1-173-2 Takahanacho, Omiya Ward, Saitama
Hours: 9:00 – 19:00
Access: 12 min on foot from Omiya Station
Official Website (jp)

Make the Most of A Short Trip to Saitama



Saitama-Shintoshin Station

There's nothing better than a shinkansen adventure through Japan, and one of the best things about taking a train (instead of a plane or bus) is all the stops you can make along the way! So next time your travel plans include a trip to the green mountains of Japan's western coast (the Hokuriku/Shinetsu regions) or the snowy northern reaches of the main island (the Tohoku region), add a stop in Omiya and a little trip to Saitama to your itinerary. For foreign travelers already using JR passes for a great deal on unlimited rides (on JR lines and more), this is a great way to get the most out of the railway pass. Stop in Saitama to add a little extra to your next trip to Japan, with fresh flavors from the Edo era, traditional gardens, a bonsai oasis, and over a century of railway history!

*The information above is accurate as of December 2023.

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NAME:Omiya Station (大宮駅)

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Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items!
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Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items! #pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄

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    • HOKKAIDO

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      Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!

    • Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.

    • Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).

    • Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).

    • SAPPORO

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      Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.

    • Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!

    • Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!

    • FUKUSHIMA

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      Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.

    • YAMAGATA

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      Yamagata Prefecture is up against the Sea of Japan, in the southern part of the Tohoku region, and it's especially popular in winter, when travelers soak in the onsen (hot springs) and ski down snowy slopes. International skiiers are especially fond of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Gassan Ski Resort, and in recent years visitors have been drawn to the area to see the mystical sight of local frost-covered trees. Some destinations are popular regardless of the season, like Risshakuji Temple, AKA Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen's nostalgic old-fashioned streets, and Zao's Okama Lake, all great for taking pictures. Yamagata is also the place to try Yonezawa beef, one of the top 3 varieties of wagyu beef.

    • Japan's most densely populated area, the Kanto Region (関東地方) includes 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, which means it also contains the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. In modern-day Japan, Kanto is the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country, and each prefecture offers something a little different from its neighbors.

    • Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.

    • TOCHIGI

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      Tochigi Prefecture's capital is Utsunomiya, known for famous gyoza, and just an hour from Tokyo. The prefecture is full of nature-related sightseeing opportunities year-round, from the blooming of spring flowers to color fall foliage. Tochigi also has plenty of extremely well-known sightseeing destinations, like World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park―famous for expansive wisteria trellises. In recent years the mountain resort town of Nasu has also become a popular excursion, thanks in part to the local imperial villa. Tochigi is a beautiful place to enjoy the world around you.

    • Tokyo (東京) is Japan's busy capital, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city as a whole is quite modern, crowded with skyscrapers and bustling crowds, Tokyo also holds onto its traditional side in places like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa neighborhood. It's one of the world's top cities when it comes to culture, the arts, fashion, games, high-tech industries, transportation, and more.

    • The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.

    • Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.

    • Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.

    • NIIGATA

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      Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.

    • SHIZUOKA

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      Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.

    • 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.

    • Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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).

    • 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.

    • 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)!

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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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