Warabi, City in Saitama Prefecture, Japan
Warabi is a city in southeastern Saitama Prefecture, positioned about 9 miles (15 kilometers) north of central Tokyo. The built-up area forms a compact urban landscape of apartment blocks and low commercial buildings that merges seamlessly with neighboring municipalities.
The settlement began during the Muromachi period as Warabi-shuku, a station along the Nakasendo highway linking Kyoto and Edo. The community became an independent city within Saitama Prefecture in 1959.
The Warabi City Museum of History and Folklore exhibits artifacts from the city's past as a highway post town and displays traditional woven products.
The Keihin-Tohoku railway line links the city directly to central Tokyo, making it a popular residential area for commuters. The compact layout means most shops and services are within walking distance.
Covering roughly 2 square miles (5 square kilometers), the municipality holds the title of smallest city by land area in Japan. Despite this limited space, over 75,000 residents live here permanently.
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