Saitama, Capital city in Kantō region, Japan
Saitama is a large metropolitan center in the Kantō region, serving as the capital of Saitama Prefecture. The city comprises ten separate wards, with Urawa-ku hosting government offices and Omiya-ku forming a commercial hub.
Three separate cities merged in 2001 to form this administrative unit, bringing together Urawa, Omiya and Yono under one government. Iwatsuki joined four years later, completing the current configuration.
Local festivals take place throughout the year in different wards, where residents gather to celebrate seasonal traditions with food stalls, performances and processions. People often spend weekends in neighborhood parks or visit district markets, creating a visible sense of local identity across the metropolitan area.
The main train station at Omiya connects several rail lines, providing frequent departures to central Tokyo and surrounding areas. Walking or using local buses helps explore individual wards, each offering different shopping streets, parks and dining options.
The name comes from an ancient district called Sakitama, mentioned in poetry written over twelve centuries ago. This literary connection appears in several local museums, where visitors can see artifacts from burial mounds and early settlements in the area.
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