Saitama 1 Day Itinerary (Bonsai & Kawagoe)

Beginning with famous works of bonsai centering on the collection from the Former Takagi Bonsai Museum, a variety of exhibits is on display including bonsai pots, viewing stones, ukiyo-e paintings depicting bonsai and the history of bonsai. You can enjoy the charm of bonsai everywhere.

This is a village that was started in 1925 with the move of bonsai growers and admirers from Tokyo. Currently with 5 bonsai gardens, you can observe bonsai with their own respective characteristics. The Omiya Bonsai Festival is held every year from May 3rd to May 5th when many people come and participate.

This is the community of an old castle town from the Edo Era. While touring the historic sites, enjoy lunch and shopping.

A temple with a deep connection with the Tokugawa clan. You can view rooms such as the one in which the third Shogun, Iemitsu Tokugawa, was born and the one which belonged to Kasuga no Tsubone, Iemitsu’s nursemaid. The rooms were moved from Edo Castle to its current location. Lush nature and cultural assets are in harmony with each other so that you can enjoy a tranquil walk.

Chosen as one of Japan’s top 100 castles, you can view the Honmaru Goten (the primary castle) of Kawagoe Castle which once boasted a huge area. Now only the Honmaru Goten itself remains but the surviving building is extremely precious. You can see the Great Hall and view a little of the life in the castle from those days.

This street continues the Kawagoe scenery which has retained traces of the good old days through places such as Kura-zukuri no Machinami (the street of kura-style mud-walled warehouses) and Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower). Not only the main street but also the side streets have plenty of atmosphere, and while peeking into the shops, you can enjoy shopping and tea time. Also recommended is a walk through Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley) where you can find many stores selling cheap sweets.