Kumagaya (熊谷) is a city in northern Saitama.
Understand
[edit]Kumagaya was one of the post-towns on Nakasendo route connecting Kyoto and Tokyo, and is still an important traffic hub.
Climate
[edit]Kumagaya has a humid subtropical climat) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. Kumagaya is known for being one of the hottest areas in summer in Japan. This is caused by very hot winds from Tokyo and the Chichibu basin in the west of the prefecture. In central Tokyo, the summer monsoon enhanced by sea breeze is heated by the urban heat island. Also, from the Chichibu Mountains, the Föhn blows. The two winds converge above the city at about 14:00.
Tourist information site
[edit]The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with some English information (click on the boxes at the middle).
Get in
[edit]- 1 Kumagaya Station (熊谷駅). It is served by Saikyo Line from western Tokyo and Tobu Isesaki Line from eastern Tokyo, as well as Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Get around
[edit]
See
[edit]- 1 Kumagaiji Temple 熊谷寺 (Yukokuji), 43 Nakamachi (15 minutes walk from Kumagaya Station on the JR Takasaki Line).
- 2 Nagashima Memorial Hall 長島記念館, 1022 Kohachibayashi (5 minutes by car from JR Takasaki Line "Fukiage Station", 40 minutes by bus from JR Takasaki Line "Kumagaya Station"), ☏ +0493-39-2025. W-Su 10:00-16:00 (closed summer and New Year's holidays). This is a memorial museum that uses Kyosuke Nagashima's birthplace. ¥300.
- 3 Seikeien Garden 星溪園, 32 Kamakuracho (approx. 3-minute walk from Kami-Kumagaya Station on the Chichibu Railway, or 18-minute walk from Kumagaya Station on the JR Takasaki Line), ☏ +048-536-5062. Tu-Su 10:00-17:00 (closed on New Year's holidays). It is a strolling garden designated as a scenic spot of the city. Free.
- 4 Katakura Silk Memorial Museum 片倉シルク記念館, 2-135 Honishi (approx. 7-minute walk from Kami-Kumagaya Station on the Chichibu Railway, 15-minute walk from Kumagaya Station on the JR Takasaki Line, 30-minutes from Higashimatsuyama IC on the Kan'etsu Expressway, 30-minutes from Hanazono IC on the Kan'etsu Expressway), ☏ +048-522-4316. W-Su 10:00-17:00 (closed during the summer New Year holidays). This memorial museum, certified as a modern industrial heritage site, uses the cocoon warehouse of the Kumagaya factory, Katakura Industries' last silk factory. There is no parking lot. Free.
- 5 Kangi-in temple 歓喜院. A Buddhist temple with architecture designated as a National Treasure
Do
[edit]- 1 Saitama Wild Knights 埼玉パナソニックワイルドナイツ (formerly Panasonic Wild Knights), Kumagaya Rugby Ground. A Japanese rugby union team that plays in the Top League. The street from Kumagaya Station to its home stadium is named the "Rugby Road". Kumagaya was one of the host towns for the World Cup 2019.
- 2 Kumagaya Sports Park 熊谷運動公園, Kojima (15 minutes on foot from Hirose Yacho-no-Mori Station on the Chichibu Railway, 9.5 km from Hanazono IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway).
Buy
[edit]- Gokabo (五家宝) — Finger-sized traditional sweets. Good companion to green tea.
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Connect
[edit]Stay Safe
[edit]Kumagaya is the record holder for the highest temperature in Japan - 41.1°C on 23 July 2018. Avoid mid-summer if you can.