Things to do in Saitama

It’s hard to think of a sport or genre of music or performance that hasn’t been presented at the Saitama Super Arena. Large enough to accommodate American football, it holds regular martial arts competitions as well as hosting some of Asia’s and the world’s biggest names. Tokyo architecture firm Nikken Sekkei designed the arena. It serves as the basketball venue for the 2020 Olympics. Get tickets to a concert or a competition and come to Saitama for a taste of real Japanese fan culture.

Northwest of Tokyo, Omiya Park is an excellent place to see cherry blossoms in Japan, but it is much more than that. Spread across 165 acres (67 hectares) not far from downtown Saitama, it has enough activities for a whole week of fun. Make the trip to see the cherry blossoms in spring. At other times, groves of red pines and pink-flowered apricots brighten the area, while a community atmosphere exists year round.

With a passionate fan base and a cozy stadium, Nack5 Stadium is almost a shortcut to feeling a part of Japanese soccer culture. Soccer is Japan’s second-most popular sport, after baseball, and was introduced to the country in the late 19th century. In the past few decades, its profile has only grown, with the national team qualifying for nearly every World Cup since 1998. Get a sense of the passion behind the sport by attending an Omiya Ardija game at Nack5.

Omiya Bonsai Art Museum confirms that the art of bonsai sculpting is much more than it seems. The museum, opened in 2010, is the world’s first public bonsai museum and seeks to impart both the historical significance and the creativity of the art. Find it in the heart of Omiya Bonsai Village, where a group of professional bonsai gardeners immigrated in the 1920s to turn the town into a celebration of the tiny trees. Visit the museum and tour the nearby gardens with a new appreciation of the bonsai’s form.

Even from the outside, it is clear that the Museum of Modern Art in Saitama is on the forefront of design innovation. Usually referred to as MOMAS, it lives in a striking gridded building designed by the famous architect Kurokawa Kisho. His inventive creation allows natural light to flood nearly every room of the museum.

Stretched out along the Arakawa River, with views of Mount Fuji appearing over pristine green lawns, Akigase Park is a welcome reprieve from the frenetic energy of downtown Tokyo. Located in the slightly sleepier suburb of Saitama, the park is a favorite of families, especially on weekends. Keep the park in mind as a spot to take a break during a busy week of visiting the area. Head here to jog along the footpaths, go bird-watching or just relax and watch the river flow by.