Experiences

The Railway Museum opened in Omiya, Saitama City, on October 14, 2007 as the main project to commemorate the 20th anniversary of JR East. In July 2018, the new South Wing was opened and the permanent exhibits in the Main Wing were completely renewed. This renewal has transformed the museum into one that develops a rich story of people and railroads from a variety of perspectives by dividing the museum into five stations : rolling stock, history, job, science, and the future.

Join us on a flavorful exploration of Kawagoe, renowned for its historic streets and hidden culinary treasures. This tour unveils the secrets behind the mouthwatering offerings of Ramen Ganja, a local gem that has captured hearts far and wide. Discover the essence of great ramen as we delve into the art of crafting soy sauce and dashi (soup stock). Immerse yourself in a sensory experience with a visit to a traditional soy sauce warehouse and indulge in a soup stock tasting session. Tour Highlights: 1. Soy Sauce Warehouse Excursion 2. Dry Food Store Visit and Soup Stock Tasting 3. Indulge in Ramen at Ramen Ganja, a beloved local hotspot. Led by Koedo Tourism Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Ariya Vesolowski, this unique journey promises to uncover the secrets behind the umami-rich world of Japanese ramen.

Experience the thrill of rafting just two-hours away from Tokyo! Dive into a 7-kilometer adventure, navigating the exciting rapids nestled between the majestic Chichibu Red Cliffs and the unique natural monument, Iwadatami, an exclusive experience you can only find here. The term "Iwadatami" translates to "rock tatami" or "rock platform." It refers to a natural formation of rocks that resemble the layout of traditional Japanese tatami mats, the key scenic spot along the river. Our certified Rafting Association of Japan Guides, a.k.a RAJ Guides, ensure a safe, secure, and, most importantly, enjoyable journey. This half-day escapade, lasting approximately 3 hours, includes photo data to capture those unforgettable moments. With the tour content changing daily based on the water levels, each day brings new and unpredictable thrills! You'll never know what excitement awaits you, making every outing a unique and exhilarating experience. Don't worry if you don't speak much Japanese, as English speaking RAJ Guides are also available to make sure the adventure is as enjoyable as it is memorable!

Discover the art of Japanese tea appreciation through a unique experience known as "tea fighting." This plan highlights Sayama tea, one of Japan's top three tea brands, celebrated for its exquisite flavor. What makes this experience truly exceptional is the opportunity to savor "single origin" Japanese tea, cultivated and processed on the owner's tea farm. Your journey will be guided by the tea shop owner, starting from the tea farm and continuing to the processing factory. For lunch, relish a delightful meal at the "Chadokoro Issen" restaurant near the Iruma City Museum ‘ALIT’ – Tea Museum, where you will savor exquisite Sayama Tea Cuisine. Afterward, explore the Tea Museum to complete your comprehensive immersion into the world of Tea. This tour is conveniently located about one hour away from Tokyo Station and 30 minutes from Ikebukuro Station by train. It includes a Local Guide, private transportation from Iruma-shi Station, and a delectable lunch, ensuring that international visitors may participate with ease and peace of mind. 10:30 AM : Meet up at Iruma-shi Station (An English-speaking Guide will welcome you)　 　　 　　 Drive along a road through tea plantations. 11:00 AM : Arrive at the Tea Shop 　　 Tea Farm and Factory Tour / Sayama Tea Seminar/Toucha (Fighting Tea) Experience / Shopping 　　 Receive a Drinking Comparison Set as a souvenir to take home, featuring five Tea varieties 12:00 PM : Lunch at the Chadokoro Issen restaurant 　　 Menu : Sayama Tea Cuisine 　　 After lunch, visit the Iruma City Museum ‘ALIT’ Tea Museum 1:30 PM : Arrive at Iruma-shi Station to conclude the tour

Experience the splendor of Sayama Tea fields at your preferred time, with family and friends. Delight in a special combination of Sayama Tea and Sencha Gelato and a Japanese style lunch box while seated on our terrace, enveloped by picturesque vistas. We provide tables, comfortable cushions, and camera stands to help you capture precious moments. Following your terrace indulgence, engage with local tea farmers, discover their challenges, and engage in friendly conversations. This offers a distinctive and unhurried approach to immersing yourself in Japan's renowned tea culture. Located about an hour away from Tokyo, with an easy Thirty-minute train ride from Ikebukuro Station, this package includes the expertise of a knowledgeable English Guide, private transportation from Iruma-shi Station, and a delectable lunch for your convenience. Schedule : 11:30 AM : Meet at Iruma-shi Train Station (Your English-speaking Guide will be there to welcome you) 12:00 Noon : Stop by "Chadokoro Issen" Restaurant to pick-up lunch 12:10 PM : Explore Yamakyu Nakajima Garden (Get a Tea Set with an explanation on how to use it) 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM : Take in the Cha-no-wa Terrace, Reserved exclusively for 90 minutes 2:00 PM : Return the Tea Set. Receive a souvenir at Yamakyu Nakajima Garden, to take home with you. 2:30 PM : End tour at Iruma-shi Station or Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma Copyright(C)Iruma City

The Chichibu Night Festival boasts a rich history spanning approximately 300 years. It is renowned as one of Japan's three major float festivals and earned its place on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2017. Why not immerse yourself in the allure of this historic festival? At its heart are six splendid floats, with the float-pulling experience being the most cherished aspect. This unique opportunity allows you to join hands with locals in moving the exquisite floats, dating back to the 1700s, creating unforgettable memories. Knowledgeable guides are available to share fascinating tales about the Chichibu region and the Chichibu Night Festival in multiple languages. Discover the festival's stories that resonate in every nook and cranny of this vibrant community, gaining insight into the profound connection between Chichibu's residents and the festival. Furthermore, you can enhance your festival experience by delving into the background of how the people of Chichibu have coexisted harmoniously with this grand tradition. As an added bonus, you'll receive original tenugui (hand towels) and work gloves as souvenirs during the float-pulling activity. Day's Itinerary (1) Guided tour of Chichibu and explanation of the Chichibu Night Festival (30 mins) (2) Tour and guide of Chichibu Shrine (10 mins) (3) Float pulling experience (120 mins) The event will be held on December 2, 2024 (Mon)

In the town of Kamikawa in the northwestern part of Saitama Prefecture, there is a sword smith who opened a sword smithy as if guided by the god of steel. The Japanese sword is known as one of Japan's world-class traditional crafts, but in fact it is so connected to the spiritual world of the Japanese people that it can be said to be the very soul of Japan. The Japanese sword, which has been handed down from the Heian period to the present, is not only a work of art, but also a spiritual guardian deity that protects people from illness and evil spirits. You can experience the traditional skills and spirit of Japanese swordsmithing at Fusahiro, where the ancient swordsmith method has been preserved and passed down from generation to generation. Please experience the culture and spirit of the Japanese sword by feeling the burning flames, the hot air, and the sound of striking iron with your whole body, and experience the ultimate forging technique.

"While Kyoto is the most famous producer of kimono textiles, it’s far from the only one in Japan. Nestled amidst spectacular mountains, kimono textiles have also been crafted in the Chichibu region for around 2,000 years. Sericulture, the cultivation of silkworms for silk production, flourished in mountainous regions like Chichibu where rice cultivation was limited. Initially, silk was used as clothing for commoners, with stronger varieties prized by warriors. Over time, advancements in design gave rise to Chichibu meisen silk, renowned for its beauty and popularized nationwide from the Taisho to early Showa period (1912-1945) as fashionable attire for women. Textile work, including sericulture, employed about 70% of Chichibu's population during this period, establishing it as the region's primary industry. In the charming old highway town of Ogano is the over 100-year-old Suzaki Ryokan, which offers a kimono dressing experience to let visitors partake in this cherished tradition.

The taste of sake depends on many factors, and Matsuoka Brewery's Mikadomatsu sake largely depends on two vital ingredients: the mineral-rich natural water of Ogawa-machi, which is perfectly suited for sake brewing; and rice carefully curated from all over Japan. This is combined with the superior talent handed down over generations of brewers. On this brewery tour, you can observe the meticulous sake-making process and taste the aromatic and delicious brews of Matsuoka Brewery. *Children can instead enjoy the high-quality mineral-rich water used to brew sake, drawn from 130 meters underground.

To make traditional Japanese washi paper, you need harsh cold and clear water. Ogawamachi, in northwest Saitama Prefecture, is a region that has both of these conditions. The Hosokawa paper made here is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and is highly regarded worldwide, having even been used to restore the Louvre and the British Museum. The Ogawamachi Washi Experience Learning Center is a historical building constructed in 1936 for the study of washi paper, and is a place where craftspeople can learn and practice papermaking. Visitors can also observe and experience the washi-making process, ranging from simple introductory courses to a comprehensive four-day experience. *Reservations are required for experiences. Brochures in English and Chinese are available, but staff explanations are in Japanese only, so if you need an interpreter, please contact the Saitama Tourism Support Desk.

Become your favorite anime character! This photo studio specializes in cosplay experiences, and is located in a traditional Japanese-style house. Costumes, wigs, and other garments are all provided, so you don't have to bring or purchase anything on the day. Even those trying out cosplay for the first time are welcome to join. The package includes full cosplay makeup and skincare along with 6 photos and editing by a specialist cosplay photographer. Plus, you’ll get a 5-minute video recording on your smartphone. The sets, costumes, wigs, and props are made by staff with over 10 years of cosplay experience, and each photo is edited by a professional to match the character's appearance.

Ever wondered how Japan's famous soy sauce is made? Dive into the experience at Kinbue Soy Sauce Park! Established in 1789, Kinbue Soy Sauce continues to practice traditional brewing methods, and invites visitors to explore its Soy Sauce Park to enjoy everything soy sauce has to offer by “eating,” “learning,” “shopping,” and “playing.” Join an informative and fun guided factory tour, compare different soy sauce flavors at the restaurant, and discover an array of soy sauce-based souvenirs at the shop.

Catfish dishes are celebrated as soul food in the American South, yet there exists a Japanese town equally proud of its catfish culinary heritage. Nestled between two rivers, the town of Yoshikawa boasts a gastronomic tradition spanning four centuries. Renowned samurai and influential Japanese artists have relished its flavors. Visitors to Yoshikawa can savor a diverse selection of Japanese courses, ranging from delectable sashimi to expertly grilled dishes and mouthwatering tempura.

Kagura stands as one of Japan's oldest forms of entertainment, steeped in ritualistic devotion to the gods. Preserved and passed down by the people, Sato-kagura represents a 'one-of-a-kind' experience plan where you can (1) watch, (2) dance, and (3) toast with the performers of Sato-kagura, carefully handed down in Kawagoe, where Edo culture from the 1600 to the 1800 endures. Capture the memories with as many photos as you like! Your guides, goodwill tourism ambassadors adorned in kimonos, will foster connections among participants by providing lively and easy-to-understand explanations. Whether joining alone or with others, a great time is assured. The tour concludes with a toast featuring seasonal sake from a local brewery, ensuring both participants and performers enjoy the experience. Plus, get insights directly from the performers themselves.

Indulge in a luxurious ""Chichibu Bar Hopping Tour"" aboard a special train. The program is rich with experiences, starting with a private reservation of the ""Fifty Two Seats of Happiness Express,"" a sightseeing restaurant train where you'll enjoy a special lunch paired with premium Japanese whiskey ""Ichiro's Malt,"" meticulously curated by the chef. Following this, an exclusive tour awaits at the typically restricted ""Venture Whisky Chichibu Distillery."" Afterward, you can savor an overnight stay at a traditional Japanese architectural gem, the ""Old Folk House Hotel."" The journey concludes with a special Chichibu Bar Hopping experience, as you disembark from the train to relish Chichibu Whiskey at local bars to your heart's content.

Chichibu Whisky Premium Tour : Experience the essence of Chichibu Whisky and traditional culture on a 2-night, 3-day journey! Start your adventure with an overnight stay in an Old Folk-House Hotel, a beautiful example of traditional Japanese architecture. Explore the exclusive "Venture Whisky Chichibu Distillery," not open to the public. Engage in a unique activity crafting coasters from Whisky barrel materials, surrounded by the nature of Chichibu. Enjoy nature beside a campfire and on boats with warm blanketed kotatsu-tables. The tour ends with a Chichibu bar-hop, where you can savor Chichibu Whisky in local bars and fully immerse yourself in the rich culture of Japanese Whisky.

Take a train from Tokyo Station, and in just 40 minutes, you'll arrive at Yamako Senbei Honpo in Soka City, Saitama. Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of crafting Soka Senbei, a beloved Japanese delight. With Soka City's history of abundant rice production, Soka Senbei emerged as a flavorful solution using surplus rice. Now a celebrated snack with 41 shops in Soka City, it's time to relish the hands-on experience of baking Soka Senbei. Let the flavors come to life through your eyes, hands, and sense of smell. Creating your very own rice cracker is sure to be an unforgettable adventure!

Just 80 minutes away from Ikebukuro by Seibu Express, Sayama-shi in Saitama Prefecture boasts one of the largest sightseeing farm in the Eastern Honshu, also known as the Kanto region. A highlight of this destination is the diverse fruit-picking experiences available throughout the seasons. Notably, the farm is designed to be barrier-free, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable visit for individuals with pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Embark on a captivating journey through Japan's cultural heritage with Miyazaki Tatami Shop's tatami-making experience. Uncover the 1,300-year history of tatami mats, integral to navigating Japan's varied climates. Join us for an immersive factory tour and hands-on session, where our amiable owner will guide you through crafting miniature tatami mats in just 30 minutes. Immerse yourself in the artistry of Japanese tradition and culture, departing with a tangible piece of cherished craftsmanship. Curious about what a Tatami mat is? In essence, it's a traditional Japanese flooring material crafted from rice straw or compressed wood, commonly found in Japanese-style rooms. A standard tatami mat measures about 3 feet by 6 feet (0.9 meters by 1.8 meters), frequently used to define room layouts in Japanese architecture.

Koshigaya Strawberry Town stands as one of the Kanto region's premier strawberry farms, conveniently located just an hour away from central Tokyo. Indulge in a delightful 45-minute session of all-you-can-eat strawberry picking! This exclusive experience allows you to savor the unique and exquisite taste of fresh strawberries, a flavor found only in Japan and available during this season. The expansive strawberry orchard, adorned with sizable and luscious berries, offers a picturesque setting perfect for capturing memorable photos. Be sure to visit the official website for comprehensive reservation details.

Visitors can delight in an indigo dyeing encounter rooted in traditional methods, free from the use of chemicals. This simplified version offers a beginner-friendly approach to the professional traditional method, making it accessible for first-time foreign visitors to authentically experience indigo dyeing. Rarely can you find a location where you have the opportunity to engage in natural indigo dyeing firsthand. Immerse yourself in the captivating allure of indigo dyeing. We trust you'll relish the experience.

A world filled with warmth and happiness (From ASOVIEW ) Once you step into the venue, you will be transported back to the nostalgic world of the 1960s, where energy, vitality, and enthusiasm abound. Guests themselves will be immersed in the unpredictable and breathtaking live performances that will take place throughout the shopping arcade. Seibuen currency will be introduced to turn the shopping experience into an attraction. The cinema, perched on a hill above the shopping arcade, will be showing "Ultraman the Ride : The Great Duel of the Century" and "Godzilla the Ride : The Great Monster Summit Battle," two large-scale ride attractions that combine the wisdom of Japan's leading creators, that opened up on September 14th. Beyond the lively shopping district, visitors will find an array of amusement park attractions that is sure to immerse them in a very nostalgic experience.

A fashion item that adorns the feet of Japanese kimonos is the traditional Japanese tabi sock Shoes. Gyoda has a history of about 300 years, and is the most active town in Japan in Tabi Shoes production. Usually, plain white ones are the norm. But Musashino Uniform is famous for making unique and exciting Tabi Shoes that match modern fashion. Learn the history of Gyoda Tabi Shoes at Musashino Uniform, experience making your own Tabi Shoes, and choose your favorite Samurai-tabi and Yukata! Take a commemorative photo at Oshijo Castle or Sakitama Ancient Tomb Park, the symbol of Gyoda City. You can take home the SAMURAITABI of your choice as a souvenir. The product of the Tabi Shoes making experience will be mailed to you at a later date after the craftsman has finished the final touches as the world's only pair of Tabi Shoes.　　　 Schedule ; 9:00 AM　Gather at Kumagaya Station (meet the interpreter guide), transfer by chartered cab 9:20 AM　Arrive at Musashino Uniforms, receive guidance on how to make Gyoda Tabi Shoes (20 minutes), experience finishing Tabi Shoes (15 minutes), experience making your own Tabi Shoes (30 minutes), experience wearing SAMURAITABI and Yukata (25 minutes) 11:00 AM　SAMURAITABI and yukata wearing, enjoy walking around the city [Oshijo Castle, Sakitama Old Park, Gyoda Hachiman Shrine, etc.] at the place of your choice and take a commemorative photo 1:00 PM　Arrive at Kumagaya Station

Embark on a unique adventure as you craft Hana Chozu, Water Basin Flower Arrangements, at Oshijo Castle in Gyoda-shi City, a location celebrated in novels and movies. Choose your favorite flowers to create a personalized masterpiece and capture a memorable photo with your creation! Join us for this exclusive experience, tailored to our unique setting. English-speaking guides are available for our international guests.