2025 Kumagaya Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

A taste of craftsmanship that you want to try in winter 🍦 During the summer, there are long lines, so this season may be a hidden gem. 🏃🏼💨 It's hard to choose between the flavors, so it's hard to choose. This time, I chose rare cheese & fresh caramel. 😋 The tiramisu flavor on top was a bonus from the owner❣️It feels like a good deal✨ My companion had coffee & milk. The bonus was orange sorbet🍊 The types change slightly with the seasons. They also have a store in the nearby Agriculture and Forestry Park, but for the variety, I recommend this main store⭐️ I was full and very satisfied🥰　 The owner is a craftsman, and I hope he will continue to make this famous store in good health forever☺️ This is a Saitama spot that you should stop by in between exploring history, such as Eiichi Shibusawa and Shigetada Hatakeyama💕

The main hall of Kankiin Seitendo is the only National Treasure building in Saitama Prefecture, and is divided into three parts: the worship hall, the central hall, and the inner hall. The exterior of the inner hall is truly magnificent. It was built in the mid-Edo period, more than 100 years after Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and it is said that the techniques of Toshogu Shrine are used. However, while Toshogu Shrine was built by the powerful people of the time, Kankiin was built with donations from ordinary people, which is a big difference. Photos 1 to 4 show the entire view of the inner hall from the south, west, north, and southwest sides (the central hall is in the east). There are many carvings of dragons, phoenixes, gods, and children, and each carving is finely crafted, expressive, and fun to look at. Photo 5 shows a picture of the three saints absorbing acid, and from the left, Confucius, Buddha, and Laozi are licking vinegar in a barrel with their index fingers, making their faces look sour, which is said to represent the fact that even though their teachings are different, "the truth is one." I would like to see Conan-kun make an appearance as well. Photos 6-9 show the dragons, bakemonos and tigers on the base and ceiling. They all feel lively and powerful. Photo 10 shows a cat chasing a mouse? Photo 11 shows a phoenix, with one placed on the south side and one on the north side of the inner hall. One has its mouth open and the other closed, representing the harmony between God and Un. As the two were created by different artists, their styles are also different. Photos 12 and 13 show a peaceful world where gods, celestial maidens and children play. Photo 14 shows a monkey working hard to support the building. We learned all this information from our volunteer guide. Just like the Higurashimon Gate at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, it is a building you can look at for hours without getting bored. Name: Kangiin Shotendo Address: 1511 Menuma, Kumagaya, Saitama Parking: Approximately 300 spaces Admission fee: 700 yen Opening hours: 9:30-16:00 (national treasure) - worship hall open all day Volunteer guides available (every hour, check website for details) #Saitama Prefecture#Kumagaya City#national treasure#Kangiin#Shotendo#three holy spirits#dragon#phoenix #0 yen trip

📍 📍Menuma Shoden-in Kanki-in 1511 Menuma, Kumagaya City ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ It is one of the three great Shoden temples in Japan and the first in Saitama Prefecture to be designated a national treasure. I went to buy some "huge inari sushi" on the approach to the temple, but it was sold out! I guess I have to go in the morning. The Peace Tower in the temple grounds and the hydrangeas and red bridge in front of it were beautiful. The Annabelle near the toilet was also blooming beautifully. I've been to the main hall many times before, so I didn't go this time. #Saitama #Saitama Prefecture #Kumagaya #Menuma Shoten-in Kanki-in #Menuma Town #Annabell #Hydrangea #0 yen trip

#cherryblossom25 Stretching along the Arakawa River, this 2km-long sakura corridor in Kumagaya City is one of Kanto’s most underrated cherry blossom spots. With 500+ somei-yoshino trees planted atop the levee, it offers wide-open spaces, cycling paths, and stunning sunset views—without the elbow-to-elbow crowds of Tokyo. 🎫 Admission: Free(open 24/7)

#cherryblossom25 Review (Traveler using #cherryblossom25): Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi is classic hanami heaven. It’s one of Saitama’s most iconic cherry blossom spots, and when I arrived, it felt like stepping into a living scroll painting. Over 500 sakura trees stretch along the Arakawa River for nearly two kilometers — and when they bloom, it’s like the whole path turns into a pink tunnel. Locals had already staked out their tarps and were deep into their hanami picnics — grilled yakitori, sake, karaoke speakers, the works. I loved how festive it was, without feeling touristy. I grabbed a sweet potato from a stand and just walked under the blossoms with music and laughter echoing around me. I timed it with sunset and the sky lit up in oranges and purples above the flowers. If your #cherryblossom25 vibe is “go big or go home,” this spot hits hard.

About an hour and a half drive from Tokyo lies Kumagaya, where the spring scenery quietly unfolds. Pale pink cherry blossoms bloom like clouds and mist, their drooping clusters swaying gently among the branches. Beneath them stretches a vast field of golden rapeseed flowers, the two complementing each other to create a world of light and shadow reminiscent of Monet's brushstrokes. As sunlight pours down, the colors of the cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers blend softly in the warm breeze, each glance resembling a flowing oil painting. Strolling through Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi, you'll see locals leisurely riding bicycles, their bells ringing crisply and breaking the tranquility. Joggers pass through the floral shadows, breathing in the fresh air tinged with floral fragrance. Dog owners walk their pets, letting them frolic on the grass. Children laugh as they chase falling petals, while the elderly sit quietly on benches, basking in the sun. Time here seems to slow down, and everything feels so unhurried. Away from the city's hustle and bustle, places like Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi are undoubtedly havens for the soul. They remind us that amidst the concrete jungle of urban life, we need spaces where we can breathe freely and pause our steps. Only then can we occasionally escape the busyness, encounter the beauty of nature, and rediscover the poetry and gentleness of life.

#Spring0yentrip About 500 Somei-yoshino cherry trees bloom for about 2km, creating a spectacular sight. One of the 100 best cherry blossom spots in Japan. On the bank, rape blossoms continue to bloom side by side with the cherry blossoms. The pale pink of the cherry blossoms and the vibrant yellow of the rape blossoms are breathtakingly beautiful. It's a 5-minute walk from the station and is easily accessible. There are gaps between the rape blossoms, so many people were sitting between the flowers on the bank and enjoying cherry blossom viewing. The rape blossoms are spaced out just right, so they act as partitions and create a wonderful space🌸 Gongendo is nice, but the cherry blossoms and rape blossoms are closer at Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi, and I felt like I was closer to the cherry blossoms! It was in full bloom! #Sakura #KumagayaSakuraTsutsumi

Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, is known as the hottest city in Japan. Sekijoji Temple, a small ancient temple, is quietly located in a quiet residential area of ​​Kumagaya City. The temple is famous for its Kumagai Sakura, which blooms even earlier than the Edo Higan Sakura, which is known to bloom early, and about 60 trees decorate the temple grounds in spring. The Kumagaya Sakura was named after the historical event in which Kumagai Jiro Naozane competed for the lead in the Battle of Ichinotani at the end of the Heian period. Kumagaya The best time to see the cherry blossoms is usually in late March In 2025, the weather was cold, so it may be a little later The bronze statue in front of the main hall is probably a statue of Eiko Shonin, who founded Ishigami-ji Temple In the temple grounds, there is also a bronze statue of Dr. Morse, the Archaeological Research Association, who was the first foreigner to lecture in the prefecture during the Meiji period Location: 36 Kamakura-cho, Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture Free admission, 24 hours Access: 15 minutes on foot from JR Kumagaya Station No parking #Places in season in Japan #Saitama Prefecture #Famous cherry blossom spot #Breathtaking view

#0yentripFebruary2025 【Unagi Kawakiku】 🕰️Business hours: 11:00-20:15 🏖️Atmosphere/Facilities: ⭕️ 📍Address: 135 Kamakura-cho, Kumagaya-shi, Saitama-ken 360-0046 💰Price per person: 3000-4000 yen 💞Reasons why we recommend it: When you think of a famous eel restaurant in Kumagaya, this is the first place that comes to mind. Reservations are not accepted. Customers who come to the restaurant will be guided in order. There is an air-conditioned waiting room. The eel itself is plump, fragrant, and very delicious. It's probably the best I've ever eaten at a restaurant in the Kanto region. Even if you don't buy eel from the supermarket, you can enjoy delicious eel at a reasonable price here.

#0yentravelFebruary2025 [BASE DINER] 🕰️Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00 🏖️Atmosphere/facilities: ⭕️ 📍Address: 2-355 Kagohara Minami, Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, 360-0847 💰Price per person: 1000-2000 yen 💞Reasons for recommendation: A restaurant with a distinctive building shape that suddenly appears in a residential area✨The interior was also a calm and stylish space! I had the Base Burger and Wagyu hamburger steak. It was meaty and juicy and very delicious. And the thing that surprised me the most was the 🥞pancakes!! They were beyond melty✨They were even meltier than the cream that came with them!! They were melty, melty... juicy... I can't put it into words, but they were pancakes that you could drink✨They were so delicious, so please try them!

Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, is known nationwide as the hottest town in Japan. The "Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi" along the Arakawa riverbed embankment, about a 5-minute walk from JR Kumagaya Station, is one of Saitama Prefecture's leading cherry blossom spots, dating back to the Edo period and selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan." A rapeseed flower field and about 500 cherry blossom trees line the embankment for about 2 km. The sight of the cherry blossoms blooming as if they are covering the rapeseed flower fields along the embankment is unique to Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi. At the cherry blossom embankment, you can spread out a picnic sheet and enjoy cherry blossom viewing, and you can also take your dog for a walk, and the rules are relatively relaxed. A food stall village has been set up under the embankment, making it very lively. During the Sakura Festival, a huge free temporary parking lot is set up on the Arakawa riverbed, making it convenient to access by car. *However, the parking lot is already quite full before 10:00. Period: Late March to early April Time: 10:00-21:00 / Illumination: 18:00-21:00 *The entrance to the cherry blossom embankment itself is 24 hours a day. Parking: Arakawa riverbed temporary parking lot, 250 cars and up. Access: 5 minutes walk from the south exit of Kumagaya Station on the JR Takasaki Line and Chichibu Railway. By car, about 15 km from Higashimatsuyama I.C. #Seasonal places in Japan #Saitama Prefecture #Famous cherry blossom spots #Breathtaking views

📍Original Inakappe Udon Main Store 1061-1 Dai, Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture 《Access》 Bus stop: Kanto Neurosurgery Hospital/Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, 1 minute walk Bus stop: Japanese Red Cross Blood Center/Asahi Motor Bus, 5 minutes walk Bus stop: Kumagaya Television/Asahi Motor Bus, 8 minutes walk Business hours: 10:00-15:00 Closed on Sundays ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ A long-established udon shop in Kumagaya There are several other stores, but I felt that this main store was the most delicious. They make udon that brings out the best flavor of the wheat flour They make it fresh and serve it fresh. This is a type that you eat by dipping it in the dipping sauce. The mushroom soup is the most recommended, but I like the salted meat and green onion the best. The green onions and meat are in a salty dipping sauce! The udon noodles are different in length and thickness, and they are delicious! 🥰 When you finish eating, they give you udon soup instead of soba soup, so you can enjoy the taste until the very end. You can choose the amount and hardness, and you can also take it out. Oh! This kinpira gobo is also delicious. Many people come to the store as soon as it opens, and if you're lucky, you can get in without waiting. #Saitama #Kumagaya #Kumagaya gourmet #Udon #Very popular #Queue #0 yen trip January 2025

As a railway fan, of course you have to ride the special railways and visit the stations when you come to Japan! ! ! Kumagaya Station is the first and last station of the Chichibu Railway. Arriving at this station, it feels like going back in time to the Showa period in Japan. It is full of retro style, even the soda machines are retro, and there are check-in spots everywhere. It is really exciting to see! At Kumagaya Station, you can also take the old steam train SL PALEO EXPRESS. The train runs along the Arakawa River, with endless hillsides and pleasant river views along the way. However, the SL PALEO EXPRESS service is very sparse. I unfortunately missed it this time because of a railway delay when I departed from Tokyo. But other trains are also full of history and atmosphere! #2024TravelReview

#DomesticTravelRecord This is a hot spring facility in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, called "Ofuro Café Hareniwa no Yu"! It is a unique facility that combines a relaxing space like a cafe with a hot spring. ♨️ Hot Spring You can enjoy natural hot springs, and the "carbonated spring" and "open-air bath" are especially popular. There are also plenty of indoor baths and saunas, so you can refresh both body and mind. It feels a little old 😭🥤 Bath Cafe There is a stylish and comfortable cafe-style rest space. There are hammocks, sofas, and tatami spaces, so you can relax after bathing. 💮 This is a great service Free drink corner! You can drink coffee, tea, etc. freely 🥺 Manga and magazines, about 10,000 manga and magazines are available, so you can enjoy them while relaxing. 🏨 Accommodation possible (simple accommodation) There is a nap space, so you can use it if you miss the last train or when you want to relax. It's nice to have a place like this in case of an emergency 🥺🚃AccessAddress: 1-2 Kagohara Minami, Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture Nearest station: About 10 minutes walk from JR Takasaki Line "Kagohara Station" Parking available ⭕️It's a facility that combines the best of "baths" and "cafes," and the appeal is that you can spend the whole day relaxing. It's perfect not only for hot springs, but also for those who want to relax or work. It's the perfect place to refresh yourself in the Kumagaya area! The rest area is much better than the bath! 💰PriceFree time feeGeneral: 1,580 yenMember: 1,380 yen⌛️120 minutes useGeneral: 980 yenMember: 880 yen☀️Morning bath (entry from 10:00 to 12:00)General: 780 yenMember: 680 yenA rental towel set can be used for 220 yen 🙆♀️*If you use it late at night, an additional late night fee may be required. *To apply the membership fee, a registration fee of 220 yen is required for the first time only. #Bath Cafe #Saitama

#Travel record I stayed at Hana Hotel Kagohara for one night. They only have single rooms, but they have double beds, so many guests came with children. There seem to be several room options. The two of us got different rooms, but it was a room with a toilet and a bathroom. There was a hot spring, so we didn't need a shower in the room, and the bed was big, so it was fine for one person. The women's bath had a rock sauna, and the men's bath had a sauna. There was a shampoo bar at the front desk, so you could choose your favorite shampoo. There were also character items for children. There was also coffee next to the front desk, so you could drink it freely. There was also a coin laundry, so it was very helpful to be able to wash and dry clothes that got wet in the rain. There seems to be a convenience store a short walk away, but I think it's a bit inconvenient to go there late at night.

The Kumagaya Uchiha Festival is a three-day festival held at Yasaka Shrine from July 20th to 22nd every year. Because its grandeur is comparable to the Gion Festival in Kyoto, it is known as the "largest Gion Festival in Kanto." It is said that the origin of the "Uchiha Festival" began in 1902. At that time, the owner of the local high-end restaurant "Quanzhoulou" was participating in an event called "Tenno Festival" and saw the flying fans in the sky, which was quite exciting and lively. So he made a special trip to buy fans called "Shibutanshan" from the old shop "Ibasen" and distributed them to the public for free during the Kumagaya Festival. Then local shops followed suit and gave customers round fans printed with their own business names. As the number of round fans increased, the "Kumagaya Festival" became the "Kumagaya Fan Festival". The festival begins with the "Watami Festival" parade which takes 3.5 hours. The journey distance is approximately 10.5 km. The next day, a "parade festival" is held, with floats and floats from each neighborhood parading around the area. The last day is the climax of the festival. A total of 12 floats and floats gather together for an event called "Yakigosekikigoi". The roller coasters pull and collide with each other, and the heroic scene is quite shocking! Finally, the "Kangosai" ceremony is held to return all the mikoshi to the main shrine. As the mikoshi returned to the main shrine, the entire festival ended quietly in a solemn atmosphere.

Ryusenji Temple, Saitama's Great Master of Fortune Avoidance and Good Luck 𓂃◌𓈒𓐍 𓂃◌𓈒𓐍𓂃◌𓈒𓐍𓂃 Ryusenji Temple, Saitama's Great Master of Fortune Avoidance and Good Luck, is one of the three great Great Masters of Fortune Avoidance and Good Luck in Japan. It is known for its very popular paper-cut goshuin stamps. It is a rare temple where two statues, the "Konjiki Daishi of Fortune Avoidance" and the "Konjiki Daishi of Good Luck" are enshrined as the principal image. Therefore, it is said to have benefits for both warding off misfortune and bringing good luck. There is a specific order for visiting the temples, and it is recommended to visit in the following order: Daishi Hall (main hall) Kobo Daishi statue Kannon Hall Heisei Anzen Daikannon statue ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ ꕥShrine name: Saitama Yakuyoke Kaiun Daishi Ryusenji ꕥAddress: 3712 Mikajiri, Kumagaya, Saitama ꕥAccess: 🚉 Asaka Station → 7 minutes walk ꕥVisiting hours: 8:30-17:00 ꕥShrine office: 9:00-17:00 ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ #0 yen travel autumn #Temple #Temple tour #Temples and shrines

P1 Golden Snake Water Miyagi Prefecture, Iwanuma City ⏰Reception: 8:00～16:00 - P2 Ryusen Saitama Prefecture, Kumagaya City ⏰Reception: 9:00～16:00 - P3 Nakano Numabukuro Hikawa Tokyo, Nakano Ward ⏰Reception: 9:00～17:00 - P4 Iikasa Mountain Nagano Prefecture, Iiyama City ⏰Reception: 9:00～17:00 - P5 Houshaku Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka City ⏰Reception: 9:00～16:00 - P6 Souhonzan Ninna Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City ⏰Reception: 9:00～17:00 - P7 Toko Osaka Prefecture, Toyonaka City ⏰Reception: 9:00～17:00 - P8 Daisho Hiroshima Prefecture, Hatsukaichi City ⏰Reception: 8:00～17:00 - P9 Fukushima Hachiman Fukuoka Prefecture, Yame City ⏰Reception: 9:00～16:30

Kumagaya Hanabi

Its a good fun here.you should go here for have fun singing while have some good conversation.nice place to hang out with friends while drinking.you will comeback here many times because of the different joy you will feel.

You can get art-like paper cutout goshuin at Ryusenji Temple, the Saitama Yakuyoke Kaiun Daishi. It's the only temple in Kanto where you can get both protection from misfortune and good fortune. 🎊 It has a history of 1200 years, and is also the birthplace of paper cutout goshuin. ✨ The photo shows the summer-only paper cutout goshuin "Summer Festival". The goshuin is based on the Uchiwa Festival in Kumagaya City, where the temple is located. Each one is handmade. 🥺 There are also other cute lucky charms such as Daruma ema and fox-shaped Inari omikuji, and it's a place where you can get power just by going there. 💪 Why not take a trip to bring good fortune with your partner or friends? ☺️ ✅ The landlady's strategy point: The summer-only goshuin will be available from June 1st to the end of August! As soon as they're gone, they're gone, so hurry up ⚠️ ✈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈✈ Ryusenji Temple, Saitama's Great Temple for Protection from Evil and Good Fortune 🏠: 3712 Mikajiri, Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, 360-0843 ⏰: 9:00 - 16:00 💰: Goshuin "Summer Festival" 1,400 yen Daruma Ema 500 yen #MomentsStarted #Goshuin #GoshuinCollecting #GoshuinTour #SaitamaOutingSpots #GoodFortune #GoodFortuneSpots

Saitama Prefecture's Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi is a representative cherry blossom forest in Saitama Prefecture. During the blooming season, 500 Yoshino cherry trees blossom simultaneously, covering the 2-kilometer riverbank. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the contrast of the canola flowers beneath the cherry trees, the pink cherry blossoms, and the azure sky in the background has been attracting locals to enjoy the view since the Edo period (200-400 years ago). It's a 5-minute walk from Kumagaya Station, making it easily accessible from the Kanto region. During the annual cherry blossom festival, there is also a magical illumination event from 18:00 to 21:00.

Cherry blossom spots near Tokyo Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi, one of Japan's 100 best cherry blossom spots A 5-minute walk from Kumagaya Station, you can see 2 kilometers of cherry blossom trees and rape blossoms along the Arakawa River🌸 During the cherry blossom festival, there are many food stalls and it is very lively, but it is not as crowded as in Tokyo, so you can sit back and enjoy the cherry blossoms. There were bees 🐝 flying around and it was a wonderful view! It seems that they also hold a light-up event at night. #sakura2024 #sakuraspot #rapeflowers #rapeflowersandcherryblossoms

Kamagaya Sakura Tsutsumi is one of the famous places in Japan to enjoy cherry blossom views. “Tsutsumi” in Japanese means “embankment” or “patio,” and “sakura” of course refers to cherry blossoms. So,Kamagaya Sakura Tsutsumi is perhaps the embankment or terrace in Kamagaya which is famous for its beautiful cherry trees. Places like this are often favorite spots for picnics and enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms during the flowering season in Japan. #cherryblossom2024

#Sakura2024 Today, I went out to see the cherry blossoms outside the city for another day (April 12). It is another place that I like because there are yellow flowers (nanohana flowers) blooming together with the cherry blossoms. Many people come to visit, but it is not crowded because it is a very long cherry blossom road with about 500 cherry trees, about 2 kilometers long. There are also local food stalls selling food. Too bad I didn't try it because I was in a hurry to go back first. How to get there: Take the train to Kumagaya Station and walk out about 600 meters. #JapanTravel #trip

#cherryblossom2024 Top 100 From the end of March to the beginning of April, cherry trees along the banks of the Arakawa River dress in pale purple. You can walk along the river or have a picnic under the sakura tree. Recommended to do Stroll along the Arakawa River, admiring the cherry and rapeseed blossoms Sit with friends, food and drinks under the shade of flowering trees How to get there The Arakawa River can be reached by train. From Tokyo, go to Kumagaya Station. It's a seven-minute walk to the river from there. Trains of the Takasaki, Shonan-Shinjuku, Ueno-Tokyo and Chichibu Railway lines and the Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines stop at Kumagaya Station. Pink and yellow During the period of admiring sakura, five hundred cherry trees on two kilometers along the bank of the Arakawa River are covered with flowers. At the same time, rapeseed blooms, in Japanese - nanohana. The contrast between the lilac, pink, white flowers at the top and the yellow ones at the bottom is an impressive sight. During cherry blossom, people of all ages usually flood the quiet shore. Merchants set up kiosks here and sell snacks and drinks. There is a path along the riverbank, which is pleasant to walk along. On the way from Tokyo to Kumagai, you can watch the cherry blossoms in Omiya Park and Hikawa Temple.

#cherryblossom2024 Just watching people enjoying the cherry blossom festival freely makes me happy too.🥰 That was the view.😍 It was about an hour and a half by car from Saitama City... After crossing the bridge in front of the venue, I waited for an hour to enter the free parking lot🥳 It is a 5 minute walk from Kumagaya Station, so we recommend coming by train.🚆 Today, there was a Yosakoi dance performed by the locals, which entertained us.🤩 The cherry blossoms had begun to fall, but the view was still beautiful. There were more flowers left near the bridge.🌸 I was surprised to hear the steam locomotive blowing its whistle from time to time, but I was lucky to see the nostalgic Sakura train.🚂