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Rugby World Cup 2019 Travel Guide: Saitama

SEE

Known as ‘Just North of Tokyo’ and ‘Greater Tokyo’, the Saitama Prefecture has lots of attractions of its own – including Menuma Shodenzan Temple in Kumagaya City.

One of three major Shoden temples in Japan, it features beautiful carved sculptures. You can enter the grounds for free but there is a fee to enter the main building. Elsewhere in the prefecture, you can take in the buildings and culture of the Edo period in the city of Kawagoe.

Greater Tokyo: Menuma Shodenzan Temple

DO

The SL Paleo Express has been running for 30 years in northern Saitama and you can view rice paddies, the Arakawa River gorge and the Chichibu Mountains from the windows of the traditional steam locomotive. You can also go cruising down the Arakawa River on traditional boats and take in the Nagatoro Valley scenery.

EAT

On the fifth floor of Kumagaya’s station building you will find a rugby bar, where you can try craft beer and locally-brewed sake made by the Gonda brewery

TOURIST WEBSITE

pref.saitama.lg.jp/
chokotabi-saitama/eng

WORLD CUP VISIT

Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Saitama is hosting three World Cup games – Russia v Samoa on 24 September, Georgia v Uruguay on 29 September and Argentina v USA on 9 October. As Saitama is so close to Yokohama and Tokyo, too, you could easily spend a day off in the area.

Related: Rugby World Cup venues

Rare: Kumagaya Rugby Stadium is a rugby-specific ground

GETTING THERE

Take a bullet train from Tokyo to Kumagaya in 40 minutes.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kumagaya Rugby Stadium is a rugby-specific ground, which is rare in Japan.

TOP TIP

The south-western area of the Saitama Prefecture is known for producing Sayama Tea, a green tea that has been grown for 800 years.