Discover Saitama

Saitama is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan. It was created by the merger of the cities of Urawa, Omiya, and Yono in 2001. It merged with the city of Iwatsuki in 2005. It has been a city designated by government ordinance since 2003. Many of its residents commute into Tokyo.

This city used to be a post town that grew on the Nakasendo Road. At present, it is a crossroad where a number of railway lines meet, including the Tohoku, Joetsu, and three other Shinkansen Lines, JR lines, and private railway lines. On May 1, 2001, three cities, namely Urawa, Omiya and Yono merged together and Saitama City was born. It became the 13th ordinance-designated city on April 1, 2003. It is already well positioned as a core-business city and is expected to grow to a pivotal city that will lead a wide variety of activities in the Kanto Region.

Fast Facts

Area: 168 sq. km
Population: 1,053,035 (2003)
Density: 6,255 / sq. km
Region: Kanto
Prefecture: Saitama Prefecture