You step off the train at JR Omiya station, exit to the east, and find yourself on a tree-lined street that runs straight north for two kilometres. That approach path is the beginning of one of the most important Shinto shrines in the Kanto area, and it sets the tone for Saitama: a city of wide avenues, old shrines, working nurseries and quiet museums rather than a single crowded sightseeing quarter.
Saitama suits travellers who are already in the Tokyo area and want a day or two of shrines, gardens, bonsai and rail heritage without the crowds of the central city. It also works well for families, since several of the strongest stops are aimed squarely at children.
This guide covers the sights and experiences named in the source material, ordered from the ones most worth your time down to the smaller stops, followed by a one-day plan and answers to the questions travellers ask most often.
Top things to do in Saitama
1. Hikawa Shrine
Hikawa Shrine is one of the most important Shinto shrines in the Kanto area, with a claimed history of more than 2000 years. The approach is part of the experience: take the train to JR Omiya station, exit to the east, and keep walking until you reach the tree-lined street, which is the 2-km-long entrance path to the shrine. Turn left and walk straight north until you reach the shrine itself.
On New Year's Day, people young and old come here to celebrate the new year, so expect the busiest conditions then. At other times, combine the visit with Omiya Koen, the park next to the shrine.
2. Railway Museum
The Railway Museum is at 3-47 Onaricho, reached from Saitama New Shuttle Tetsudo-hakubutsukan Station, one stop from JR Omiya. It is open Wednesday to Monday, 10:00-17:00, and closed on Tuesday. It features 36 engines on display, including Japan's first steam locomotive, train cab simulators, and Japan's largest HO-gauge miniature railway. You can even eat your lunch in a restored dining car.
It is a strong choice for rail enthusiasts and great for kids. Note that English language signage is sparse. Admission is ¥1330 for adults, ¥620 for elementary to high school students, and ¥310 for children.
3. Omiya Bonsai Art Museum
This museum sits in the Omiya Bonsai Village and covers the various types of bonsai, the themes they represent, and how they are trained. It includes English explanations and brochures, so you can learn a lot about this traditional Japanese art form without knowing Japanese. It is open 09:00-16:30, or 16:00 in winter, and admission is ¥300.
Pair the museum with a walk around the nurseries of the Omiya Bonsai Village itself. Pictures are not permitted in the village, so plan to look rather than photograph.
4. Omiya Bonsai Village
The village is home to a handful of bonsai nurseries which moved here from central Tokyo following the great Kanto earthquake in 1923, drawn by easy access to fresh water. Visitors can roam around and visit each of the nurseries, and some bonsai can also be purchased.
Several named nurseries are worth seeking out. Fuyō-en, at 96 Bonsai-cho, Kita-ku, is the nursery nearest Omiya Koen and serves as the garden of the president of the Japanese Bonsai Association. Kyūka-en, at 131 Bonsai-cho, Kita-ku, was established in 1929 by Kyūzō Murata, the caretaker of the imperial bonsai collection. Seikō-en and Mansei-En are both at 268 Bonsai-cho, Kita-ku, and Tōju-en is at 247 Bonsai-cho, Kita-ku.
5. Saitama Museum of Modern Art
This museum of modern art features works by famous painters such as Monet, Picasso and Chagall. It is open 10:00-17:30, and admission is ¥200, with special exhibits charged separately.
It is an easy, low-cost stop to slot into a day that already includes the central sights, and a good option if you want an indoor break from walking.
6. Ōmiya kōen
Ōmiya kōen was the first prefectural park in Saitama and was later expanded twice to become a very big park. Within it there is a small zoo, a swimming pool, an amusement park, a soccer field, a museum and an archery ground, making it enjoyable for all ages.
In spring, many people come here for cherry-blossom viewing. Because the park sits next to Hikawa Shrine, the two are naturally combined in a single outing.
7. Omiya Park Zoo
Omiya Park Zoo is a small children's zoo inside Ōmiya kōen, home to a variety of birds, monkeys, squirrels, reptiles and other small animals. It is open 10:00-16:00 and admission is free.
Given the free entry and short hours, it works best as a stop in the middle of a park visit rather than a destination on its own.
8. Saitama Super Arena
Saitama Super Arena is a huge, multi-configuration arena linked to Saitama Shintoshin station by a pedestrian walkway. Numerous shops, restaurants and attractions can be found within, and many famous artists give concerts there. Young residents of Saitama attend the Coming of Age Day ceremony in the arena every January.
The exterior space around the arena is a good place for a date, and in the Christmas season many people come to see the illuminations.
9. Sōji-in
Sōji-in is a temple famous for its garden of hundreds of peonies, which bloom from the end of April through the beginning of May. If your trip falls in that window, this is the reason to come; outside it, the temple is a quieter stop.
10. Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore
This museum exhibits artifacts from around Saitama Prefecture with information about its history and culture. It is a useful stop if you want context for the places you have been visiting across the prefecture.
11. Tōgyoku Doll Museum
The Tōgyoku Doll Museum is at 3-2-32 Hommachi, Iwatsuki-ku. Tōgyoku dolls are a famous local product and symbol: according to legend, a priest named Esho became sick while passing through the area, and although he recovered, the illness weakened him to the point that he could not leave the town. He began to pass the time by making dolls out of the local wood, and the tradition of doll-making has been part of the Iwatsuki area ever since. The dolls were given the name Tōgyoku by a local lord when he was given one as a present.
The museum has many examples of these dolls as well as exhibits of other types of dolls, and runs workshops where you can make your own dolls for a fee. Admission is ¥300.
12. Urawa Art Museum
Urawa Art Museum collects and displays art of and from books, and also aims to foster local artists by featuring their works. It is open 10:00-17:00 and is free, except for special exhibitions.
13. Saitama Arts Theater
The Saitama Arts Theater is the city's primary performing arts theater. Throughout the year it holds orchestral concerts, piano concerts, plays, musicals and other events, and it has even been used to film dramas. There is also a cafeteria and restaurant on site.
Check what is on during your dates before you build a day around it, since the programme changes through the year.
14. Jion-ji
Jion-ji is the 12th temple of the Bandō 33 Temple Pilgrimage. It is a natural stop for travellers following that pilgrimage route.
15. Football at Saitama Stadium 2002 or NACK5 Stadium
Watch football at Saitama Stadium 2002, home to the Urawa Red Diamonds, with one of the best atmospheres in Asia. Alternatively, go to NACK5 Stadium if you have sympathy for the weaker side, as it is home to Omiya Ardija, another pro team based in the city.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Hikawa Shrine. Take the train to JR Omiya station, exit to the east, and walk the 2-km tree-lined entrance path north to the shrine. Afterwards, walk next door into Ōmiya kōen and, if you are travelling with children, stop at Omiya Park Zoo, which is free and open 10:00-16:00.
Afternoon: Head to the Omiya Bonsai Village and the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, which is open 09:00-16:30, or 16:00 in winter. Walk around the nurseries, remembering that pictures are not permitted. If time allows, add the Saitama Museum of Modern Art, open 10:00-17:30.
Evening: Finish at Saitama Super Arena, linked to Saitama Shintoshin station by a pedestrian walkway, where you can eat at one of the restaurants inside. In the Christmas season, stay for the illuminations around the exterior.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reach Hikawa Shrine?
Take the train to JR Omiya station, exit to the east, and keep walking until you come to the tree-lined street. That street is the 2-km-long entrance path to the shrine. Turn left and walk straight north until you reach Hikawa Shrine itself.
When is the Railway Museum open, and what does it cost?
It is open Wednesday to Monday, 10:00-17:00, and closed on Tuesday. Admission is ¥1330 for adults, ¥620 for elementary to high school students, and ¥310 for children.
Can I take photographs in the Omiya Bonsai Village?
No. Visitors can roam around and visit each of the nurseries, and some bonsai can be purchased, but pictures are not permitted.
When do the peonies bloom at Sōji-in?
The garden of hundreds of peonies at Sōji-in blooms from the end of April through the beginning of May.
Decide which of these fits your dates, check the days each place is open, and start building your Saitama itinerary around the shrine path and the bonsai nurseries.