10 Tours in Saitama That You Shouldn't Miss

Hi, everyone. This is all of a sudden, do you know the Japanese culture? Are you interested? Why did I start "Kawagoe guide"? I was born in Kawagoe and spent 26 years here. Many travelers are intrigued by the architecture of the city but do not understand the history behind it. I will be pleased to guide you through the path of the past and we will have fun doing it. In fact, I played truant from English study. Instead of going to English classes, I would remain home and sleep.Haha However, I wanted to be a backpacker and travel to over 20 countries. So, I started to study English desperately. I had trouble speaking and understanding the local language however, I was taken care of abroad by the local people. It is now my turn to repay the kindness that was shown to me. Let's talk about Japan together.

Inclusions: Bottled water

Exclusions: Snacks

Bonsai is the traditional Japanese art of creating miniature natural landscapes in containers using tree branches, which is increasingly gaining worldwide recognition. Learn in depth about bonsai from a dedicated instructor and get a hands-on experience in Bonsai-cho which, just as the name suggests, is a mecca for bonsai lovers, located less than an hour from central Tokyo. During this 2-hour session, you get to try some of the most important techniques for maintaining bonsai such as pruning, not to mention treat your eyes with hundreds of top-quality bonsai pieces, coupled with extensive commentary by the instructor. Whether you are a complete beginner who wants to know what bonsai is all about, or a bonsai enthusiast who aims to further your knowledge and skills, you are sure to love this experience!!

Inclusions: A drink will be provided at the cafe/community space.

Exclusions: Admission fee of 300 yen to Omiya Bonsai Art Museum (only if it rains)

Take pleasure in a Bonsai tour in Omiya, well known as the hometown of Bonsai! Experience Japanese Bonsai culture and get a touch of how Bonsai works. Regular: 8:30AM Hotel pick up 9:30AM Arrive at Toro station 9:45AM-11:00AM Omiya Bonsai Museum 11:00AM – 12:30PM Bonsai village 12:30PM Drop off at Omiya Park Station or Toro Station. For people who want to stroll around the Bonsai village a little longer will end the tour there. Underground Discharge Channel viewing option: Morning: Same as the Sample Itinerary. 12:30 ~1:20 PM Lunch~Visit the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel (3-4PM)~ 6:00 PM Arrive at hotel in Tokyo Bonsai Master’s Home Visit option: You can choose this option if you would like to hear personal stories from Bonsai craftsmen and Masters in Japan, and have the opportunity to ask various questions. 10:00 AM Go to the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum ~Omiya Bonsai Village Walking~ Visit to Bonsai Master’s Home 4:00 PM Tour ends at Toro Station

Inclusions: Tour assistant, Hotel pickup (excluding Tour plus Master Craftsman Visit)

Exclusions: Lunch, Train fare

Visit the holy ground of bonsai trees; Omiya Bonsai Village Time and effort is put into creating bonsai trees: an old Japanese art form of creating little trees in a container that mimic the shape and scale of large trees. When you look up through the small branches of the bonsai tree, you feel as if you have wandered into the forest. In the past, only people who owned a large number of bonsai trees could live in Omiya Bonsai Village. There is a bonsai museum, bonsai gardens and also a number of people who cherish the art of bonsai who still live in this area. On this tour your otomo tour guide will take you around the area on our recommended route and will translate conversations for you, so if you want to talk to the locals, fire away!

Inclusions: Tour Guide, Private tour, Necessary expenses for the tour guide

Exclusions: Travel expenses and entrance fees for your own, Money for food/drinks, souvenirs and extra activities for your own, Hotel pick-up and drop-off, The use of private van

First of all, please check Instagram: #wasabijppottery #wasabijp we are  "wasabi experience project" This project provides Japan's carefully selected superb experiences. Try your hand at ceramic art in this 2-hour workshop at a craft studio in Kawaguchi City, Saitama, where many artists and craftspeople flock to work on their creations. Create your original ceramic plate by shaping a clay slab on which you can freely engrave patterns and press various molds to express your imagination. After the crafting session, enjoy some snacks with tea served in teacups masterfully crafted by our talented instructors. This is a perfect introduction to the world of ceramic art for beginners as all of our instructors are award-winning female potters who will guide you through every step of the process.

Inclusions: Instructor, Material costs, Firing fee, Japanese green tea and sweets, Tax

Exclusions: Shipping costs

Visit ancient Japanese gods and try an ancient craft. Japanese history cannot just be put down to ninja and samurai. On this tour you will be taken all the way back to ancient Japan to learn about Japanese gods and old myths. In Japan, since ancient times, it was believed that a god existed in everything, whether an object or a living or moving thing, and so there is an abundant number of gods that the Japanese worship even today. One of these gods, Susanoo, is thought to be the child of the god who created Japan, and is the god that this tour is based around. Visit little animals that appear in myths and have a go at creating an ancient accessory; magatama. Magatamas were worn around people's necks and used in daily life in ancient Japan!

Inclusions: Tour Guide, Private Tour, Necessary expenses for the tour guide

Exclusions: Travel expenses and entrance fees for your own, Money for food/drinks, souvenirs and extra activities for your own, Hotel pick-up and drop-off, The use of private van

Truly beautiful and elegant Japanese dolls and great local food. Iwatsuki, a town which produces more Japanese dolls than anywhere else in Japan, is located to the east of Saitama city, and is known as the Town of Dolls. Japanese dolls are artistically valuable for their gentle features and beautiful costumes. On this tour you will see Japanese dolls from every decade of the past 400 years, and also get the chance to make your own doll! With your otomo tour guide to help you with translating, you can choose your favorite color and pattern for the kimono to dress your doll in. Do not forget to try Iwatsuki's local soul food; tofu ramen as well. The local restaurant you will be visiting on this tour became famous for serving the best tofu ramen in Saitama.

Inclusions: Tour Guide, Private tour, Necessary expenses for the tour guide

Exclusions: Travel expenses and entrance fees for your own, Money for food/drinks, souvenirs and extra activities for your own, Hotel pick-up and drop-off, The use of private van

Having thrived as a post town when people mainly traveled on foot or rode a horse, Urawa still has a lot of spots where you can feel the vibe of the Edo period (17th-19th century). You will visit a rare shrine that worships a rabbit as a god. Travelers in the Edo period might also have prayed here for the luck of their trip. After praying to the rabbit god, you will try the ancient travelers' favorite food, Kabayaki, a fluffy grilled eel with traditional sauce! Afterwards, you will explore a nostalgic shopping arcade, and chill in a café renovated from an old Japanese house. Let’s go on a trip to a post town and enjoy the ambience of ancient travelers, of course with your otomo guide!

Inclusions: Tour Guide, Private Tour, Necessary expenses for the tour guide

Exclusions: Travel expenses and entrance fees for your own, Money for food/drinks, souvenirs, and extra activities for your own, Hotel pickup and drop-off, The use of private van

Enjoy making "Kokedama" moss ball after visiting The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Bonsai nurseries, the Bonsai restaurant. ~ Highlights of this tour ~ ・Meets at JR Toro station in Saitama. *Hotel pick-up and drop-off are extra charge. ・Visit The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum ・Visit Bonsai nurseries ・Lunch at the Bonsai Restaurant Omiya ・"Kokedama" Moss Ball Making Workshop ・Short walk at the Omiya Park ・Concludes at JR Omiya station

Inclusions: Lunch, All admission fees, Kokedama workshop

Exclusions: Hotel pick-up & drop-off（available for an extra charge）, Transportation fee from your hotel to the meeting point, Travel insurance

This tour goes around Omiya Bonsai Village which is well known as the hometown of Bonsai !! We visit "Bonsai museum" and a couple of nurseries. You can learn Japanese Bonsai culture and how bonsai works. Also, your guide teaches techniques of looking and feel Bonsai. You also have a chance to learn how you can grow Bonsai. Please enjoy going through Bonsai art world !! < Bonsai museum > The Saitama City Bonsai Museum is the world's first public bonsai museum, opened in 2010. It collects about 200 pots of bonsai, bonsai tray, water stones, and ukiyo-e, etc. There is a bonsai garden, usually displayed 60-70 bonsai. Some bonsai can be viewed from all angles, so you can enjoy their different views from both the front and back.

Inclusions: Guide Fee & Entrance fee for Museum

Exclusions: Snacks