Location: Kasukabe
Top Things to do in Kasukabe
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What to do and see in Kasukabe, Japan: The Best Places and Tips
Kasukabe is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2016, the city had an estimated population of 232,294, and a population density of 3520 persons per km². Its total area is 66.00 km².
Restaurants in Kasukabe
1. RyuQkan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By wvzjxq - SFO
The official name of this place is the long-winded Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel, or the even longer-winded tour name "Ryukyukan", which means Underground Exploration Museum of The Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel. There is another name, which is "G-Cans." I don't even want to know where that name came from.
Don't bother with this place unless you have a Japanese speaking guide with you. If you don't know anybody who speaks Japanese, then you can hire a private tour guide and ask them to arrange a visit. You can try Viator, TourbyLocals, or Viable. You need to make arrangements far in advance because the tours fill up fast. The last tour of the day is always booked. Also, the distance to this place from Central Tokyo is very far (about 1.5 hours from Tokyo Station on the JR line, then transfer to the private Tobu line), so I don't even want to bother with giving you directions. You can get there by JR Rail and then a short ride by bus. Do not, under any circumstances, just show up at the door hoping they will let you in. My experience in Japan is that the Japanese DO NOT NEGOTIATE. Rules are rules in Japan, and they don't break it. Don't criticize them for it, because that's what helps make this country so safe.
Barring all the difficulties getting here, it is worth the hassle only if you absolutely must do something unique and non-touristy. There is no other place like it, although it looks like a modern day version of the Yerebatan in Istanbul. If you are into engineering of any kind, you will appreciate this place. Before going underground, the official tour guide will convince you that the stairway is the most dangerous place in the world and will have a high chance of killing you. This is a common trait of the Japanese, who have a penchant to overstate things (like the name of this very place for instance). Ignore them, because the stairway is wide and safe and can accommodate a whole village of people. But, do not attempt to take pictures while you're on the stairway. Remember, rules are rules in Japan, and there are no exceptions, and you don't want to get your Japanese guide in trouble. The attraction is free.
The last train stop to this place is the Minami-sakurai Station North. Right outside the train station is the bus stop. The bus is the very farthest one at the end from the building.
2. Kasukabe Odako Matsuri
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
This festival is held every year on May 3rd and 5th along the banks of the Edo River. The highlights of the festival are the "100 Tatami-mat Kites," which, at 15m tall by 11m wide and weighing approximately 800kg, are said to be the largest kites in Japan. It takes around three months to construct each kite out of bamboo and 1,500 pieces of Japanese washi paper. The festival day begins with a good-luck ceremony for the children who will celebrate their first annual festival that year, after which over one hundred participants will split into two groups and each raise one of the giant kites. A variety of smaller kites will be flown nearby, adorning the spring sky with brilliant colors.
3. Uchimaki Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By HasudaPete - Hasuda, Japan
Awesome park! Nice play ground for the kids and a very cool confidence course type areas set under trees. Lots of spots to have a picnic and heaps of parking. There are vending machines, toilets and every time we have been a vendor or two selling crepes or shaved ice by the entrance. I have not been there for a BBQ yet but there is a large BBQ area with large electric BBQs you can hire for the day, these are set in a grove of trees.
4. Michi-no-Eki Showa
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By hide2004 - Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
東京方面から向かうと最初にある大きな道の駅です。大型トラックの駐車場もあります。
お土産物や食堂もあって、休憩にぴったりです。
東京方面からだと逆車線ですが、比較的入りやすいと思います。
5. The Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By John L - Kamakura Japan
It is known as GCANS, and visitors MUST reserve in advance and speak Japanese, or be accompanied by a Japanese speaking person (for safety reasons they say). It is located in the middle of nowhere, but there is limited service "community bus" service that goes to it, I believe from Kusukabe Station. Google GCANS Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel and you'll find the Reservations page, it is all in Japanese but if you use Chrome it will translate it for you. Best to have a Japanese friend set up res for you. It has been listed in my new book "Offbeat Japan' as one of the more interesting spots to visit in the Tokyo area, available from Amazon Japan or Kinokuniya USa.
6. Aeon Mall Kasukabe
7. Kasukabe Fuji Matsuri
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
This festival takes place in late April along the 1.1Km section of wisteria trellis known as Fuji Road, located at the West Entrance to Kasukabe Station. Amidst the violet hues of the beautifully blooming wisteria blossoms, the festival offers a wide range of Performances including marching bands, parades, Nagashi dances as well as Japanese taiko Performances, hip-hop, Yosakoi, and Soran dancing, wind instrument ensembles, and Eisa and Awa dancing. Refreshment booths and games will also be offered.
Reviewed By 三代目くらの助 - 東京
歴史が長い春日部の藤まつり。春日部駅から美しい藤棚が続く様子は、この季節ならではの風情でとても情緒があります。この藤棚は約１キロ程ですが、なかなかこの長さのものは珍しいと思われるので、実際に見てみると想像以上に見事でした。
また期間中は市民の方々による様々な催しが行われており、参加型の地域感溢れるお祭りに感じました。
なお昨年４月26日に行きましたが、訪問時期を選べないので5月を選択しました。
8. Kasukabe History Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By chaco_11 - 朝霞市
古利根川の土手の桜を見に行きましたが、少し早すぎました。街なかを歩き粕壁小学校の隣にある郷土資料館に行きました。交差点の角にあるのでわかりやすいかな？ 広くない展示場ですが春日部の歴史と文化を紹介する施設で、小学校の生徒の勉強するところにもなっているように思えました。伝統産業として桐の箪笥や麦わら帽子などがあるのですね。縄文時代中期の竪穴式住居の推定模型などもあり結構楽しめますよ。パンフレットなどもとても立派な物がありました。入場料は無料ですから、ちょっと寄ってみませんか？
9. Showa Sogo Park
10. Puratto Kasukabe
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By hanedasun - 東京
東武線・春日部駅東口から２，３分のところにある観光案内所です。当然のことながら観光パンフが充実（駅にはあまりありませんでした）。そして、係のかたがとても親切でした。いろいろ観光上のアドバイスをしてくれたうえ、お茶まで出してくれました。
なお、有料ですが、レンタサイクルもあります。春日部の町探索のスタート時には、ぜひ立ち寄りたいところです。
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