4 Must-Visit Spots in Railway Town Omiya as Recommended by JR East Staff
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Hello, this is Kurashige, and I’m a staff member from JR Omiya Station. Omiya Station (大宮駅) is about 30 minutes away by train from Central Tokyo, and I would like to introduce you to some charming tourist spots in Omiya!
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine (武蔵一宮氷川神社) is said to have been founded over 2,400 years ago, and is the origin of the name Omiya, as it was revered as a “grand shrine”.
As the head shrine of over 280 Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrines nationwide, it has been deeply revered as the first and most important shrine in Musashi Province. Attracting people from all over the Kanto Region, it gets particularly crowded during the New Year’s visit.
The approximately 2km-long approach to the shrine starts near Saitama-Shintoshin Station. It is the longest straight shrine road in Japan.
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine (武蔵一宮氷川神社) Address: 1-407 Takahanacho, Omiya, Saitama, 330-0803 Access: 15-minute walk from Omiya Station (East Exit)
Opened in 1885 (Meiji 18), Omiya Park was Saitama Prefecture’s first prefectural park, located right next to Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine.
When it first opened as Hikawa Park, the park had a rustic atmosphere surrounded by pine forests and wooded areas. Eventually it became a scenic spot lined with kappo-ryokan (Japanese-style inns specialising in cuisine), and was frequently visited by literary figures such as Mori Ogai, Masaoka Shiki, and Natsume Soseki.
Notable areas in Omiya Park include a red pine forest with towering red pine trees over 100 years old, sakura trees that were selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, and many other trees with beautiful fresh green and autumn leaves, allowing visitors to enjoy the changing seasons.
Omiya Park (大宮公園) Address: 4 Takahanacho, Omiya, Saitama, 330-0803 Access: 20-minute walk from Omiya Station (East Exit)
3. Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama (さいたま市大宮盆栽美術館)
Located near the Omiya Bonsai Village, the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama houses approximately 130 masterpieces of bonsai. In the museum’s bonsai garden, around 60 bonsai plants are always on display.
Bonsai is an art form that aims to capture the essence of natural landscapes in miniature, condensing the appearance of large towering outdoor trees into plant pots. Immerse yourself in this world of bonsai and experience the tranquillity it offers.
The nearby Bonsai Village will also celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025.
*The museum will be closed from 5 November 2024 to 20 March 2025 due to renovation.
Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama (さいたま市大宮盆栽美術館) Address: 2-24-3 Torocho, Kita-ku, Saitama, 331-0804 Access: 5-minute walk from Toro Station (土呂駅)
If you’re heading to the Railway Museum from JR Omiya Station, just a 10−minute walk away, you’ll find the “RAILWAY GARDEN PROMENADE”, which showcases photos of JR East trains with explanations, alongside retired train cars.
Located along the pedestrian walkway of the Omiya General Rolling Stock Center where JR East trains are maintained, it’s a great way to enhance your visit to The Railway Museum.
RAILWAY GARDEN PROMENADE Address: Nishikicho, Omiya, Saitama, 330-0853 Access: 10−minute walk from Omiya Station
Apart from being rich in Japanese culture and history, there are also plenty of other tourist spots and delicious gourmet food in Omiya.
Please come and visit Omiya!
JR East Station and Train Crew
こんにちは！ We are a group of crew members from various stations and railway centres in JR East. JR East is the largest railway company in Japan, and our trains run Tokyo, Yokohama, Omiya, Nagano, Sendai, and Aomori, to name a few. We work hard every day to provide excellent service to our passengers. We are excited to introduce local recommendations and hidden gems around East Japan to international visitors in Japan. See you in Japan!
