Top Saitama Prefecture Unique Experiences

Take a break from hectic city life for a day with this jade carving experience in Tokyo. In a small group of no more than five people, you can design your own piece of jade then observe as a jade carver and jade sculptor with over 38 years of experience carefully carves your unique design into a stone of your choice. Later, it's hands on as you do all the hand finishing work yourself and transform your design into your very own work of art.

Experience the traditions of Ogawamachi on this private half-day excursion. After meeting up with an informative local guide, explore traditional paper making at Saitama traditional crafts Hall and the UNESCO-designated Kadokura Japanese Paper shop. Then stop by three sake breweries and the facilities of an organic beer maker to taste delicious regional beverages.

Leave Japan with a souvenir that has more meaning than something you bought in a shop—and get a taste of authentic Japanese craftsmanship—with this ceramic plate workshop experience. Under the guidance of award-winning artists, create your original ceramic plate by shaping a clay slab on which you can freely engrave patterns and press various molds to express your creativity.

First of all, please check Instagram: #wasabijpwashi #wasabijp Washi is traditional Japanese paper made with unique tesuki techniques, a manual process of producing paper using fibers of the kozo tree(paper mulberry). In this workshop, you can experience the time-honored tesuki washi making techniques and make your own washi paper with step-by-step instructions from a seasoned washi craftsman. Our washi paper exclusively uses natural materials indigenous to Japan, which lends a rustic and warm charm to it. Enjoy the unique experience and bring your handmade washi  home as a memento of your trip to Japan.

Learn about the craft of rattan weaving during this workshop in Saitama. Travel outside the heart of central Tokyo by train to try your hand at weaving a pair of rattan coasters. Get advice from a guide including step-by-step instructions. No prior experience is necessary. Browse the rattan shop after the workshop for expertly crafted pieces.

Use your five senses to enjoy Iruma's delicious tea! Sayama tea, produced in Saitama Prefecture, is one of the three famous teas of Japan, and is characterized by its richness in taste and deep bitterness. Be prepared to use your five senses to fully enjoy sayama tea on this tour! First of all, you will be taken to see the green carpet of the largest tea plantation in the Kanto region of Japan. Then you will head to the tea museum where you can see, touch and smell tea, and also learn about the history of tea, how sayama tea is made, and what makes it unique. You will not miss out on anything with the help of your personal translator; your otomo tour guide! Finally, taste the tea. Tasting tea flavored food is just as fun as drinking tea!

Truly beautiful and elegant Japanese dolls and great local food. Iwatsuki, a town which produces more Japanese dolls than anywhere else in Japan, is located to the east of Saitama city, and is known as the Town of Dolls. Japanese dolls are artistically valuable for their gentle features and beautiful costumes. On this tour you will see Japanese dolls from every decade of the past 400 years, and also get the chance to make your own doll! With your otomo tour guide to help you with translating, you can choose your favorite color and pattern for the kimono to dress your doll in. Do not forget to try Iwatsuki's local soul food; tofu ramen as well. The local restaurant you will be visiting on this tour became famous for serving the best tofu ramen in Saitama.

A local guide who knows Kawagoe well will guide you with strong love for the region. This tour takes you to the highlights of Kawagoe's sightseeing such as Time bell tower, Old storehouse street and Candy Lane. Furthermore, we could let you know the charms of Kawagoe by local views. At first, let’s toast with a cup of Japanese sake at Koedo Kurari which is a sake experience spot. There are variety of Sake from the prefecture. And you can choose your favorite one at the modern vending machine. Then, the tour visits a local shrine and experience Shinto style customs a little. Let’s walk around Kawagoe's backstreets like locals. When we arrive at the famous old storehouse street, we will be surprised by its well-balanced street that it is unified by old style buildings with a black plastered wall. During the tour you can understand the present days and the old days of Japan's ordinally life. Because this is a historical merchant town, "Kawagoe". .