Tokyo’s northern neighbor Saitama strives for overseas tourist recognition

Travel & Leisure

Overlooked prefecture organizes familiarization tours to woo Taiwan groups, wealthy US travelers

Representatives of travel agencies from Taiwan visit Chichibu Shrine in Saitama prefecture in September. (Photos by Hiroto Aramaki)

HIROTO ARAMAKI

October 11, 2025 11:15 JST

SAITAMA, Japan — Just north of Tokyo is a prefecture called Saitama where many people who work in the capital live, but where few travelers from overseas visit. For many visitors from abroad coming to the Tokyo area, flights arrive in the capital or in the eastern prefecture of Chiba, which also is home to two Disney theme parks.