Saitama Prefecture is Tokyo's underrated northern neighbor — a landlocked prefecture where the Edo-period streets of Kawagoe, the world's largest railway museum collection, bonsai gardens tended for a century, and the moss-phlox hills of Chichibu sit within an hour of the capital, all at a fraction of Tokyo's crowds and prices.
At a glance
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Izumiya Honten
A long-running Omiya izakaya dating to 1947, a short walk from the station's east exit rotary.
Known for: Izakaya established in 1947, four minutes on foot from Omiya Station's east exit; classic grilled skewers, sashimi, and draft beer
1-43-43 Daimoncho, Omiya-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama 330-0846
Craft Beer Bar Bronx
A friendly Higashi-Urawa taproom pouring up to 21 rotating Japanese craft beers.
Known for: Relaxed craft beer pub with up to 21 rotating taps, mostly domestic Japanese craft breweries
Near Higashi-Urawa Station, Urawa-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama 336-0021
Beer Hunting Urawa
A compact eight-tap craft beer bar a minute's walk from Kita-Urawa Station, focused on small Japanese breweries.
Known for: 27-seat craft beer bar with eight taps focused on Japanese microbreweries, one minute from Kita-Urawa Station
Near Kita-Urawa Station east exit, Urawa-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama 330-0071
Koedo Kurari
A converted 1875 sake brewery in Kawagoe's warehouse district, now a tasting hall for Saitama sake and local food.
Known for: Sake and local-gastronomy tasting hall inside three converted buildings of the 1875 Kagamiyama Brewery in the Kurazukuri district
1-10-1 Shintomicho, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-1122
Yakitori Hidaka Omiya Suzuran-dori
A stand-and-drink yakitori bar on Omiya's Suzuran-dori strip, geared toward commuters grabbing a quick drink after work.
Known for: Standing-bar yakitori joint on Omiya's Suzuran-dori strip, popular with commuters for a quick after-work drink and grilled skewers
Suzuran-dori shopping street, Omiya-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama 330-0802
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Most venues warm up after midnight — earlier arrivals get easier entry and shorter queues.
Carry ID, even if you look older — bouncers check at most venues.
Plan your ride home before you go out — last transport runs earlier than the clubs close.