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In this blog post, I'm sharing my experience traveling to Ogawa in Saitama! Tokyo's neighboring prefecture might seem a bit inconspicuous at first glance, but it has plenty of activities and culinary delights to offer. This post is particularly interesting for nature lovers and anyone curious about the making of Washi (traditional paper).
From Tokyo to Ogawa
By Car
If you're planning to travel by car, the drive from Tokyo to Ogawa takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. So almost the same amount of time as by train. The journey is pleasant, but there are toll booths along the way. It's best to check Google Maps beforehand for any potential costs or toll booths. In Tokyo itself, there are many places where you can rent a car. Since Ogawa is quite rural, it naturally has the advantage that you're much more flexible with a car on site.
By Train
Traveling from Tokyo to Ogawa by train is very comfortable and only takes about 2 hours on the local train. However, note that the stations in and around Ogawa do not have gates. This means you don't need to show tickets to enter or leave the platform. Instead, you'll find machines at the stations for IC cards like PASMO or SUICA, which you can use to pay for your journey.
The Town of Ogawa
Ogawa is a charming little town in Saitama Prefecture, located in a rural setting and naturally much smaller and more relaxed than Tokyo. Surrounded by nature and many opportunities for outdoor activities, I really enjoyed my stay here! In the next sections, you'll learn everything there is to do in Ogawa.
Fueling Up with Udon
Upon arriving in Ogawa, we decided to grab a bite to eat at an Udon restaurant called 武州めん 本店 (Bushu Men). Unexpectedly, I had some of the best Udon I've had in a while here! The restaurant is known for its authentic food and the quality of its ingredients. If you like Japanese food or simply want to try a delicious Udon dish, I highly recommend the 武州めん 本店 restaurant.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bjcx9nAQ9AWuPT2f6
Making Washi 和紙 (traditional paper)
In Ogawa, we took the opportunity to make traditional Japanese paper, known as 和紙 (Washi). The paper is made from a special fiber extracted from the bark of the Kozo tree. This fiber is then hand-scooped and processed in a traditional way to create a high-quality and durable paper. Washi is used for a variety of purposes, such as art projects, stationery, origami, and even the restoration of historical documents. It's known for its high quality, strength, and unique texture that gives it a special charm. Washi making is an art form that has been cultivated in Japan for centuries and holds significant cultural importance.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Km5owQ73wS95kR9J7
Staying in an Airbnb in the Forest
A definite highlight of my short trip was staying in an Airbnb in the forest. The accommodation was a cozy wooden cabin nestled in nature - but without the comfort of air conditioning. Despite the outside temperature of 33 degrees and the lack of air conditioning, the experience was unique and unforgettable. As a very nature-oriented person, I particularly enjoyed this stay. You don't often get the chance to spend the night in the middle of nature.
Find More Hotels in Ogawa
Affiliate Link: If you book a hotel on Booking.com through my widget or link, I receive a small commission. There are no additional costs for you, and you support my blog. I am very grateful and wish you lots of fun while traveling (^_^)Mt Sengen Hill View Park
If you enjoy outdoor activities, Mt Sengen Hill View Park (Sengenyama Miharashi no Oka Koen) is a real recommendation! The park not only offers breathtaking views of the beautiful Saitama landscape, but also a slide. Riding down this slide was a lot of fun and is definitely an experience for young and old. However, the "journey" on foot at 33 degrees was a real challenge, as the park is a good 45 minutes walk from the nearest train station. Since it was mid-September at the time, we found some very large chestnut trees around the park.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fyGuCrxfrQaLKnez7
Curry at CURRY&NOBLE
Another culinary recommendation from me is the curry at CURRY&NOBLE. The restaurant itself has a cozy atmosphere and the staff was very friendly and attentive. The menu features different types of curry and the many positive Google reviews are definitely justified!
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vd3yg9QMhTfDgvzp9
Yakiniku in Yorii
In the neighboring town of Yorii, we ate very delicious Yakiniku. In this case, it was grilled fish, which was very fresh and tasted great with rice. Grilling the fish yourself is a great experience and unique too! If you like fish, you should definitely try this.
Conclusion
My trip to Ogawa Saitama was an unforgettable experience that I would recommend to anyone. Staying in a wooden log cabin in nature in particular was my personal highlight. Making traditional paper (Washi) was a unique experience that you can have in Ogawa. Culinarily, Saitama Prefecture has a lot to offer and is definitely worth a visit in my opinion!
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