Top Saitama Prefecture Half-day Tours

Experience the traditions of Ogawamachi on this private half-day excursion. After meeting up with an informative local guide, explore traditional paper making at Saitama traditional crafts Hall and the UNESCO-designated Kadokura Japanese Paper shop. Then stop by three sake breweries and the facilities of an organic beer maker to taste delicious regional beverages.

A walking tour is indisputably the best way to explore Kawagoe, famed for its Edo-style architecture and vibrant shopping streets. See the best of Kawagoe on a 4-hour small-group walking tour, limited to 10 people to ensure an intimate atmosphere. While learning about the history of the former prosperous castle town, you’ll tick off highlights such as Kawagoe Ichinagai Street, Dream Street, Spatiotemporal Bell, and Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

This tour is a traditional tea picking experience of green tea in Sayama in Saitama Prefecture located northwest of Tokyo, It is a one day tour for a limited time from May to November where you can enjoy the walking along the old town in Kawagoe where traditional townscapes remain. The Sayama Hills are located in the western part of Saitama Prefecture. It is the origin of "Sayama Tea". Sayama tea is regarded as one of Japan's three major teas alongside Shizuoka tea and Uji tea, and because of its northern location, the leaves produce a deep taste after fighting through the cold winters. Kawagoe flourished as a castle town from the 17th century, and was often compared to Edo (present day Tokyo). Because of this, it came to be called "small Edo". The first area where the buildings were erected is known as the "townscape of the storehouses", a site that was seen less and less in Edo Tokyo.

Try the local street food and visit a power spot as well. Nagatoro in Saitama Prefecture is famous for its beautiful canyon. The layered rock formations, known as iwadatami, show us the long history of this planet and the power of nature. On this tour you will enjoy a boat ride through the canyon, taking in its fantastic scenery. Your otomo tour guide will also take you to a museum where you can learn about Nagatoro's natural environment. They will translate anything you need to know if you need help! Make sure you make the most of the local food too - we recommend you try the fantastic shaved ice! The Hodosan Shrine you will be visiting is a great tourist destination and was given a star by the highly trusted Michilen Green Guide.

Learn all about the Japanese bonsai trees on a private tour of the Omiya Bonsai Village. Visit several bonsai gardens to get a feel for the range of trees in Japan and stroll through the Omiya Bonsai Art Musem to see the mini trees from multiple angles. This tour is a great way to get a closer look at Japan’s bonsai culture and perhaps purchase one for your home.

Bonsai is one of the traditional arts which represent Japan. The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is a must place for Bonsai /Japanese Garden lovers. At Bonsai village Bonsai classes are held for the beginner(reservation needed). Opened in 2010  as the first bonsai museum, Omiya Bonsai Museum consists of Collection Gallery, Bonsai Garden and Bonsai Terrace on 2F. At Collection gallery Bonsai culture is introduced through monthly displays of bonsai pot, stone, and seasonal Bonsai. Collection gallery leads to Bonsai garden displaying 60 seasonal Bonsai outside. Some can be viewed from all angles and photographed. After the museum we walk around the very calm Bonsai village spotted with houses having pretty garden where pine trees and other flower trees are neatly well kept. Among them there are 5 Bonsai gardens where Bonsai are created by each owner, displayed inside and sold, the staff will explain about how to take care Bonsai.