20 Museums in Saitama worth your time

A free local history museum in Saitama featuring wetland ecology, river history, and a designated cultural property bronze bell.

What it is

• A local history museum opened in 1984 inside the Toda City Library building.
• The facility focuses on the history of the Arakawa River and wetland life.
• Admission to the permanent and special exhibits is free of charge.
• The museum uses a horned owl as its official symbol mark.

What to see

• Permanent exhibits detailing the ecology and lifestyle of the low-lying wetlands.
• A historic bronze bell designated as a prefectural cultural property.
• Displays located on the third floor of the shared library building.

When to go

• The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Doors are closed on the second, fourth, and fifth Mondays of each month.

Getting there

• The museum is a seven-minute walk from JR Toda Station.

Official site

www.city.toda.saitama.jp

Read more about Toda City Museum

Asaka City Museum showcases local history and culture, featuring a pit dwelling model and a waterwheel.

What it is

• A humanities museum in Asaka City, Saitama Prefecture.
• Opened on February 12, 1997.
• Preserves and utilizes historical and cultural materials.
• Exhibits cover archaeology, history, folklore, arts and crafts.

What to see

• Full-scale model of a Kofun period pit dwelling.
• Diorama of Hizaori-shuku post town.
• Exhibits on Shinagashi River boat transport.
• A waterwheel, powered by spring water.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed on the fourth Friday of each month.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Asakadai Station.
• 15-minute walk from Kita-Asaka Station.

Address

埼玉県朝霞市岡2-7-22 Map

Official site

www.city.asaka.lg.jp

Read more about Asaka City Museum

Explore a wealthy family's estate, art, and crafts, designated Important Cultural Properties.

What it is

• Opened in 1970, based on Toyama Genichi's residence and art collection.
• The Toyama family residence was built for Toyama Genichi's mother.
• Construction of the residence took two years and seven months.
• The museum reopened in April 2018 after renovations.

What to see

• Nine buildings of the former Toyama family residence.
• The residence and land are Important Cultural Properties.
• The museum exhibits arts and crafts.
• Several Important Cultural Properties, including paintings and a letter.

When to go

• Open from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Closed on Mondays and during New Year holidays.

Read more about Tōyama Memorial Museum

Explore ancient burial mounds, including Japan's largest circular kofun, at this historic park.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture.
• Contains the Saitama Kofun Group, a national historic site.
• Designated a special historic site in March 2020.
• Park development began in 1967.

What to see

• Maruhakayama Kofun, Japan's largest circular burial mound.
• Saitama Prefectural Museum of the Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds.

When to go

• Sakitama Fire Festival is held annually on May 4th.

Getting there

• Access from Kounosu, Fukiage, and Gyoda Stations.
• About 12km northwest of Hanyu IC on the Tohoku Expressway.

Official site

sakitama-muse.spec.ed.jp

Read more about Sakitama Kofun Park

Modern art museum in Kawagoe, showcasing local artists and traditional design.

What it is

• Opened December 1, 2002.
• Stands on former site of Kawagoe Castle's second bailey.
• Exhibits art by artists from or associated with Kawagoe.

What to see

• Exterior design uses traditional Kawagoe merchant house styles.
• Permanent exhibition room and special exhibition rooms.
• Works by Hashimoto Gaho and Komura Settai.
• Adjacent to the Kawagoe City Museum.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Kawagoe Station.
• Accessible by bus from Hon-Kawagoe Station.

Address

〒350-0053　埼玉県川越市郭町2-30-1 Map

Official site

www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp

Read more about Kawagoe City Art Museum

Explore space with a planetarium, science exhibits, and unique space-related plants.

What it is

• Opened in May 1988 as Urawa City Youth Astronomical Museum.
• Renamed after Saitama City was established in 2001.
• Consists of a planetarium and a science museum.
• Astronaut Koichi Wakata became honorary director in 2009.

What to see

• Planetarium uses a CHIRON hybrid system.
• Science museum has exhibits for school science education.
• Corner for viewing JAXA public relations videos.
• Cultivates 'space cherry blossoms' and 'space roses'.
• Features a 'Newton's apple tree' from Koishikawa Botanical Garden.
• Houses a 20cm refractor coudé telescope by Goto Optical.

Address

埼玉県さいたま市浦和区駒場2丁目3-45 Map

Official site

www.city.saitama.jp

Read more about Saitama Municipal Youth Astronomical Museum

New art museum opening in 2026, featuring local artists and modern photography.

What it is

• New art museum in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture.
• Grand opening in September 2026.
• First director is Akira Tatehata.
• Collection has about 220 items.

What to see

• Inaugural exhibition features photographer Mika Ninagawa.
• Works by artists associated with Kawaguchi City.
• Works by Shoichiro Nushi.
• Building designed by Kayama Architects and Associates.

When to go

• Pre-opening in April 2026.
• Grand opening in September 2026.

Getting there

• 2-minute walk from JR Kawaguchi Station West Exit.

Address

〒332-0015　埼玉県川口市川口3-1-2 Map

Official site

kawaguchi-moa.jp

Read more about Kawaguchi Museum of Art

Explore a historic shipping agent's building, a unique cultural property in Saitama Prefecture.

What it is

• A municipal tangible cultural property in Fujimino City.
• Uses the historic Fukuadaya shipping agent building.
• Fukudaya opened in 1831.
• Opened as a memorial hall on November 3, 1996.

What to see

• Saitama Prefecture's first important landscape building.
• Located near Yoshinoya, a registered tangible cultural property.

When to go

• Closed every Monday.
• Closed from December 27 to January 4.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Kami-Fukuoka Station.
• 3-minute walk from Shirokita Saitama bus stop.

Official site

www.city.fujimino.saitama.jp

Read more about Fujimino Municipal Memorial Museum of Fukuoka Riverport

Explore Gyoda's history and culture, including castle ruins and ancient artifacts.

What it is

• A museum in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture.
• Opened in February 1988.
• Exhibits Gyoda's history and culture.
• Part of Japan Heritage "Tabigura no Machi Gyoda."

What to see

• Located on the former site of Oshi Castle's main keep.
• Restored three-story turret of Oshi Castle southeast of museum.
• Exhibits on Saitama Kofun group and Oshi castle town.
• Haniwa from Sakamaki No. 14 Kofun.
• 4971 items of Gyoda's tabi manufacturing tools and products.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Gyodashi Station on Chichibu Railway.

Address

〒361-0052　埼玉県行田市本丸17-23 Map

Official site

www.city.gyoda.lg.jp

Read more about Gyōda City Museum

Free museum in Saitama City, preserving local history and a historic building's exterior.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Saitama City's Midori Ward.
• Opened in 1959 as Urawa Municipal Local Museum.
• Moved to its current location in 1972.
• Became a registered museum in 1981.

What to see

• Building restores the exterior of Hoshokaku.
• Exhibits include a model of a Minuma Tsusen boat.
• Exhibits include old tools.
• Designated a Saitama City Important Scenic Building.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Kita-Urawa Station.
• Accessible by bus from Urawa Station.
• Accessible by bus from Higashi-Urawa Station.

Address

埼玉県さいたま市緑区三室2458 Map

Official site

www.city.saitama.jp

Read more about Saitama Municipal Urawa Museum

A unique library in a zoo, dedicated to Beatrix Potter, showcasing rare items.

What it is

• A reference library operated by Daito Bunka University.
• Opened on April 2, 2006, within Saitama Children's Zoo.
• Dedicated to Beatrix Potter, with a collection started in 2000.
• Aims to publicly exhibit original drawings and first editions.

What to see

• The building replicates Beatrix Potter's Hill Top Farm.
• View 150 items from the collection, as of 2023.
• Peter Rabbit is the university's promotional character.

Getting there

• Located within Saitama Children's Zoo in Higashimatsuyama City.

Official site

www.daito.ac.jp

Read more about Daito Bunka University Beatrix Potter Reference Library

Japan's first airfield is now a museum with real aircraft and flight simulators.

What it is

• Saitama Prefectural museum with an aviation theme.
• Opened in 1993 on the site of Japan's first airfield.
• Displays history of aviation in Japan and worldwide.

What to see

• Many actual aircraft are housed inside.
• Outdoor exhibits include a YS-11 and C-46 aircraft.
• Indoor exhibits feature a replica of the Type 1 aircraft.
• See Japan's only existing Type 91 fighter aircraft.
• Experience flight simulators.
• Large screening facility seats 200 people.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.

Official site

tam-web.jsf.or.jp

Read more about Tokorozawa Aviation Museum

This museum, now closed, was the first official permanent John Lennon museum.

What it is

• First official permanent museum dedicated to John Lennon.
• Opened on October 9, 2000, Lennon's birthday.
• Operated from 2000 to 2010 due to license expiration.
• Yoko Ono fully cooperated with its establishment.

What to see

• Exhibits included Lennon's guitars, clothing, and glasses.
• The museum had an official shop and a lounge.

Getting there

• Located on the 4th and 5th floors of Saitama Super Arena.
• Accessible via Saitama-Shintoshin Station.
• Accessible via Kita-Yono Station.

Read more about John Lennon Museum

Explore ancient burial mounds and see national treasures from early Japanese history.

What it is

• Museum dedicated to ancient burial mounds.
• Opened in 1969 as Saitama Prefectural Sakitama Shiryokan.
• Renamed in 2006 to its current name.

What to see

• Main building has a National Treasure exhibition room.
• Shogunzan Kofun Exhibition Hall shows a restored burial chamber.
• See excavated artifacts from Inariyama Kofun.
• View the Inariyama Kofun artifacts, a National Treasure.
• Observe the Jūsuzuka, an Important Cultural Property.
• See Saitama Prefecture designated cultural properties like Haniwa.

Address

〒361-0025　埼玉県行田市埼玉4834 Map

Official site

www.sakitama-muse.spec.ed.jp

Read more about Saitama Prefectural Museum of the Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds

Explore Fujimino's history and culture, focusing on an ancient post town.

What it is

• A museum-like facility in Fujimino City, Saitama Prefecture.
• Opened in 1988 in the former Ōi Town area.
• Exhibits local history, folklore, and archaeology.
• Shares a complex with the Fujimino Municipal Ōi Library.

What to see

• Permanent exhibition theme is "Michi" (road).
• Focuses on Ōi-shuku, a post town on Kawagoe Kaidō.
• Reconstructed model of a Jomon period dwelling.
• Pottery from the Jomon period.
• Haniwa and Sue ware from the ancient period.
• Documents from the medieval period.

Official site

www.city.fujimino.saitama.jp

Read more about Fujimino Municipal Ōi Local Museum

World's first public bonsai art museum, displaying masterpieces and a unique garden.

What it is

• World's first public bonsai art museum.
• Opened on March 28, 2010.
• Collects bonsai masterpieces and related materials.
• Houses the former Takagi Bonsai Museum collection.

What to see

• Bonsai masterpieces.
• Bonsai-related materials.
• Bonsai garden with multiple bonsai as one landscape.

When to go

• Closed on Thursdays, except national holidays.
• Bonsai garden reopened on March 21, 2025.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Toro Station East Exit.

Address

〒331-0804　埼玉県さいたま市北区土呂町2-24-3 Map

Official site

www.bonsai-art-museum.jp

Read more about Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama

Explore Honjo City's history and Waseda University's exhibits at this free museum.

What it is

• A museum in Honjo City, Saitama Prefecture.
• Opened in October 2020.
• Collaboration between Honjo City and Waseda University.
• Fifth museum for Waseda University.

What to see

• Various Haniwa from Honjo City.
• Excavated materials from Paleolithic to Muromachi periods.
• Waseda University exhibition room.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Honjo-Waseda Station South Exit.
• 5-minute walk from Honjo-Waseda Station North Exit bus stop.
• 5-minute drive from Honjo-Kodama IC.

Address

〒367-0035　埼玉県本庄市西富田1011 Map

Official site

www.hwmm.jp

Read more about Honjō-Waseda no Mori Museum

Learn about the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival and see its floats at this folk museum.

What it is

• A local folk museum in Kawagoe City.
• Opened on September 28, 2003.
• Dedicated to the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival.
• Building design is traditional storehouse style.

What to see

• Two festival floats are always on display.
• Exhibits on the festival's transition and background.
• Materials related to the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival.

When to go

• Hayashi performances are held on Sundays and holidays.

Getting there

• 16-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station.

Official site

kawagoematsuri.jp

Read more about Kawagoe Festival Museum

Modern museum dedicated to artist Yuji Misu, next to Hikawa Shrine and cherry blossoms.

What it is

• Museum dedicated to artist Yuji Misu.
• Also called Yuji Misu Memorial Museum.
• Opened on March 11, 2012.
• Designed by architect Toyo Ito.

What to see

• One-story building designed by Toyo Ito.
• Two exhibition rooms.
• 151 oil paintings and lithographs by Yuji Misu.
• Study for the painting "Oiru" (Aging).
• Grand piano in the lounge.
• Faces cherry blossom trees of the Shingashi River.

Getting there

• Next to Hikawa Shrine.
• Accessible by bus from Kawagoe Station.

Address

埼玉県川越市氷川町109-1 Map

Official site

www.yaoko-net.com

Read more about Yaoko Kawagoe Museum

Explore Iwatsuki's history in a historic police station, now a free local museum.

What it is

• A branch of the Saitama City Museum.
• Opened in 1982 as a local history museum.
• Collects and preserves local folk materials.
• Built in 1930 as the Iwatsuki Police Station.

What to see

• The building itself, a registered cultural property.
• Exhibits of archaeological materials.
• Historical materials related to Iwatsuki Castle.
• Folk materials about rural and castle town life.
• Exhibits about the Bushu Railway.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Iwatsuki Station.

Address

埼玉県さいたま市岩槻区本町2-2-34 Map

Official site

www.city.saitama.jp

Read more about Saitama Municipal Iwatsuki Local History Museum