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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Koshigaya
越谷
Spend a half‑day in Koshigaya: 30 min train from Tokyo, walk the sakura park near Kita‑Koshigaya, then shop at Aeon Lake Town.
Koshigaya is a commuter city in Saitama, 30 min by Tobu Skytree line from central Tokyo. Its main attractions are a cherry‑blossom walk (≈1 km) and Aeon Lake Town, one of Japan’s largest malls. A short visit fits into a day‑trip from Tokyo or a brief stop on a multi‑city itinerary.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 越谷
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat, humidity)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | ¥300–¥500 |
| Convenience store bento | ¥500–¥800 |
| Aeon Lake Town food court meal | ¥600–¥1,200 |
| Local bus ride | ¥210–¥340 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NRT · Narita International Airport
- Narita Express to Tokyo Station, then Tobu Skytree line to Koshigaya; about 1.5 h total
- HND · Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
- Keikyu line to Asakusa, then Tobu Skytree line to Koshigaya; about 1 h total
Typical fares
- Tokyo (Ueno) → Koshigaya (Tobu Skytree)
- about ¥1,200, 30 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Tobu Skytree line (Ueno‑Koshigaya) and Musashino line serve 7 stations; walk or local bus for the park. Aeon Lake Town reachable via Koshigaya Laketown station.
See and do
Known for
- Aeon Lake Town mall
- Sakura walk near Kita‑Koshigaya station
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kawagoe | Tobu Skytree line to Asakusa, then Tobu Tojo line; about 1 h | 1–1.5 h |
| Ageo | Tobu Skytree line to Kita-Senju, then JR Utsunomiya line; about 40 min | 1 h |
| Kawaguchi | Tobu Skytree line to Nishi-Arai, then JR Keihin-Tohoku line; about 30 min | 45 min |
| Kumagaya | Tobu Skytree line to Kita-Senju, then JR Takasaki line; about 1 h | 1.5 h |
| Kasukabe | Tobu Skytree line direct; about 10 min | 20 min |
| Chichibu | Tobu Skytree line to Omiya, then Chichibu Railway; about 2 h | 2.5 h |
Sleep
- Koshigaya Station area
- Convenient for train arrivals; budget hotels within 5 min walk.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the station? | 駅はどこですか？eki wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Last trains from Koshigaya to Tokyo around 23:30; plan return earlier.
- Sakura park is seasonal; check bloom dates on the city guide site.
Generally safe; stay alert on crowded trains and night streets, especially near station exits.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Koshigaya yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Aeon Lake Town mall
- Sakura walk near Kita‑Koshigaya station
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Koshigaya official city site: www.city.koshigaya.saitama.jp/
- Koshigaya tourist association (Japanese): www.koshigaya-sightseeing.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Koshigaya, revision 5274590 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5274590
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/koshigaya). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.