Things to Do in Saitama, Japan - Saitama Attractions
Things to Do in Saitama
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- Hiroaki KanekoTokyo, Japan3,298 contributions境内の周囲は住宅地であるのに、境内は木々が生い茂っている自然豊かな神社です。武蔵国の中で最も格式の高い一宮の神社ですが、いわゆる高い格式に伴う排他的な雰囲気は無く、1時間もあれば全て周遊できる程度の境内の広さです。年末年始であれば初詣客で混雑しますが、それ以外の季節は特に神事を始めイベントでもない限り、休日でもそれほど混雑しておらず、ゆっくりと境内を散策することが出来ます。
神社そのものは大宮駅、もしくは北大宮駅から行くと近いですが、大宮駅からでも10分以上を要します。そのため、車を使って参拝する人が多く、神社の周囲にはいくつもの駐車場が完備されています。日本一参道が長い神社としても知られ、一の鳥居から2kmもあります（一の鳥居の最寄り駅は『さいたま新都心駅』です）。ウォーキングを兼ねて参拝する人も多く見られます。
境内の建物の中でとりわけ目を引くのが楼門で、鮮やかな朱色が厳格さの中にも華やかな印象を醸し出しています。大宮アルディージャの必勝祈願として、選手やサポーターが参拝することもあり、彼らのサイン入りの絵馬等、大宮アルディージャに纏わる品々が境内に点在しています。
The shrine is surrounded by a residential area, yet the precincts are lush with trees and nature. Although it's the most prestigious shrine in Musashi Province, it does not have the exclusive atmosphere that comes with high prestige, and the precincts are large enough that you can tour them all in an hour. During the year-end and New Year holidays, the shrine is crowded with New Year's visitors, but during the rest of the year, it's not so crowded even on holidays, unless there is a special event such as a Shinto ritual, and you can take a leisurely stroll around the grounds.
The shrine itself is close to Omiya Station or Kita Omiya Station, but even from Omiya Station it takes more than 10 minutes to get there. Many people visit the shrine by car, and there are many parking lots around the shrine. The approach to the shrine is also known as the longest in Japan, stretching 2 km from the first torii gate (the nearest station to the first torii gate is Saitama Shin Toshin Station). Many people come to the shrine for exercise as well.
One of the most eye-catching buildings in the precincts is the Rou-mon, with its bright vermilion color creating a gorgeous impression. The players and supporters of Omiya Ardija often visit the shrine to pray for the team's victory, and there are many Omiya Ardija-related items scattered around the precincts, including votive plaques signed by the players.Written August 24, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Des PSydney, Australia1,066 contributionsVery easy to get too - and easy to get to
Your seat - but, It’s a long way out from the city so make sure you allow enough Time.
And if you are getting the train, it’s still bit of a walk to get to the stadium from the train - so try to eat and drink before you arrive - it’s much cheaper!!Written July 25, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Erkki NFinland872 contributionsThis bonsai museum gives you a thorough introduction to the art of the bonsai. Different species and styles of the trees and aspects in their nursing and display are presented throughout the museum that has several sections. The tour ends in a courtyard with most impressive collection of large bonsai trees that are at least 200 years old, the oldest ones even 1000 years old! Taking photos is not allowed in all areas, but permitted at least in parts of the open air collection.
Saitama is a bit far away from the central Tokyo, but reasonably easy to reach by train. If you have several days to spend in Tokyo and have interest in the art of the bonsai, Saitama has also several bonsai nurseries you might be interested in. All in all, this museum is a heaven for any bonsai tree enthusiast!Written August 9, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Hiroaki KanekoTokyo, Japan3,298 contributions大宮駅の北に位置する自然豊かな公園です。大宮駅より東武鉄道の北大宮駅からの方が近いですが、大宮駅から氷川神社の参道を経由して公園に行く人も多く見られます。但し徒歩でも15分以上を要します（大宮駅からのアクセスの場合、日光や雨を凌げる場所は多くありません）。一方で駐車場が多く点在しているため、車を利用して来る人を多く見かけます。
園内には野球場・競輪場・競泳場・スタジアム等様々な競技施設だけでなく、日本庭園や小規模な動物園まであり、総合的なエンターテインメントスポットと言えます（但し競技施設は常時利用できるわけではありません）。園内のそれ以外の部分は木々で覆われているおり、開けた場所はあまり多くありません。主に散歩やジョギングで利用する人が多く、ボール等で遊ぶ人はほとんど見かけません。
この公園が最も美しくなるのは、園内を覆うように咲き誇る桜の季節です。多くの人が桜を愛でに訪れます。一方でゴミ箱は常時ですら置かれていない状況ですので、基本的にゴミは各自で持ち帰り家で処分することが推奨されています。
The park is located north of Omiya Station and is rich in nature. It's closer to Kita-Omiya Station on the Tobu Railway than to Omiya Station, but many people go to the park from Omiya Station via the approach to the Hikawa Shrine. However, it takes more than 15 minutes to get there on foot (there are not many places to shelter from the sun or rain if you go from Omiya Station). On the other hand, there are many parking lots scattered around the park, so you will see many people coming by car.
The park is a comprehensive entertainment spot, with various athletic facilities such as a baseball field, bicycle race track, swimming pool, and stadium, as well as a Japanese garden and a small zoo (although the athletic facilities are not always available). The rest of the park is covered with trees, and there are not many open spaces. Most people use the park for walking or jogging, and there are few people playing with balls.
This park is at its most beautiful when the cherry trees that cover the park are in full bloom. Many people come here to enjoy the cherry blossoms. On the other hand, there are no trash cans in the park at all times, so people are basically encouraged to take their trash home and dispose of it at home.Written August 19, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Relax597254904 contributionsThere are multiple cacoon malls to spend your time. Supermarket, lifestyle shops, restaurants. Connected to the subway station so it is very convenient for the locals and visitors.Written November 4, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JugemJugem386 contributionsYono Park is the third oldest park in Saitama Prefecture and opened in 1877.
Cherry blossoms bloom in this park in spring, also the park is known as cherry blossoms scenic spots, and is crowded by many visitors to see cherry blossoms.
The "Rose Festival" is held in this park in the early summer, and many people visit to see beautiful roses.
The park has a pond called Benten-ike with a fountain.
Benten means Saraswati (god of wealth, music, eloquence, and water).
Carps, green turtles and spotbill ducks live in the pond.
Fishing in this pond is prohibited.
There is a hill called Suribachi-yama next to the pond.
In the past, we could see Mt. Fuji from the top of that hill, but now the elevated road of Metropolitan Expressway interferes and we can not see Mt. Fuji.Written March 13, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - RaymundJersey, UK170 contributionsWonderful and colorful illumination on winter. It’s free and couples can get to enjoy it on a cold and chilly night.Written January 9, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BukowskiUKUK46 contributionsVisited for a J League 2 Match.Excellent atmosphere and a decent sized crowd.Easy to get to by Metro and then walking through a Park to the stadium.Written November 25, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- HonestcoupleLancashire134 contributionsA relaxing mid morning walk in this tranquil setting. Even with the map from the Bonsai Art Museum and my Google Map we managed to walk past 2 gardens/nurseries without realising it. Good news is that’s a reason to return.Written December 22, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Relax597254904 contributionsFree entry. Best museum visit so far, because the staff were patient to explain in English and proactively pointed areas that i should see, yet gave space for me to explore the tour myself.Written November 4, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- geelongexpatChatan-cho, Japan1,025 contributionsThis is the local shrine in Urawa-Ku. It is a typical Shinto shrine with rabbits. There is a rather nice park next to it. Best to visit on special occasions.Written January 11, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- loren04h2zorroMuenster, Germany4 contributionsMany people were fishing, there were ducks and flowers, a Saitama-Stadium-roof alike 'thing', a shrine and some places, where you could do sports. If I lived in Urawa with my family, I'd probably go there on weekends sometimes...Written October 14, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- kaz LSaitama, Japan92 contributionsIn Saitama here we enjoy the Christmas Lights. Children and couples were delighted. Also around the station there are several spots with Lights. However, it looked just same as last year or the year before , so little a bit I felt boring.Written January 1, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Karim A5 contributionsPart of the grounds surrounding Hikawa shrine, don't expect a massive corporate zoo. This is a quaint, FREE zoo that's been here for a very long time and includes many Japanese animals too like bears and monkeys. Well worth 10-15 mins on your way through to the shrine.Written August 23, 2014This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Saitama
- The top attractions to visit in Saitama are:
- The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum Saitama
- Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine
- Omiya Bonsai Village
- Saitama Stadium 2002
- Japan Mint Saitama Museum
- The best outdoor activities in Saitama according to Tripadvisor travelers are: See all outdoor activities in Saitama on Tripadvisor
- The most popular things to do in Saitama with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Saitama Prefecture Omiya Park
- Saitama Stadium 2002
- The Railway Museum
- Cocoon City
- NACK5 Stadium Omiya
Saitama Attractions Information
| Attractions | 309 |
|---|---|
| Attraction Reviews | 4,744 |
| Attraction Photos | 7,404 |
| Local Time | Wednesday 7:38 PM |