10 things you must do in Saitama

Gliding down the river in a traditional Japanese boat, you may be tempted to try snapping a few Instagram-worthy shots of the gorgeous Nagatoro nature. But don't get too carried away: the 20-minute ride also includes a few sudden rapids.

This nearly 1,500-year-old sanctuary is known for granting wishes related to matters of the heart. There are plenty of matchmaking charms sold here, but the most popular one comes in the shape of a red pencil, symbolising the red string of fate. The shorter the pencil gets, the closer you come to your destined partner.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine offers plenty of Instagram-worthy photo ops, so it’s worth visiting in a kimono or yukata. There’s a picturesque tunnel of ema (small wooden prayer plaques) to walk through, and in summer you can find gates covered in colourful wind chimes, too.

The city of Soka is famed for its senbei rice crackers. Try making your own hard, satisfyingly savoury cracker for a mere ¥70 at Shimeya, but take care not to burn your mouth when sampling it – the finished product will be very hot. 

To blend in with Kawagoe Koedo’s traditional townscape, it’s worth getting dressed up in a kimono or yukata. One of the best and most reasonably priced places to rent a full traditional outfit is Vivian.

Located close to the Toki no Kane bell tower, Vivian offers kimono/yukata rentals for a mere ¥2,200 (¥3,300 for men; ¥4,400 for couples). The deal includes the actual kimono/yukata, undergarment, an obi belt, tabi socks, zori or geta sandals, and a bag. You can choose from 500 different kimono and yukata designs and a large selection of belts.

Kawagoe may be famous for its beer, but ‘Little Edo’ also offers plenty of fun for sake-drinkers. Take this ‘sake experience’ spot, where you can use a vending machine to explore the offerings of 35 Saitama breweries and compare the flavour profiles of different types of sake. ¥500 gets you four tokens, each of which counts for one cup of sake.