Saitama Prefecture [埼玉]
Tourist spots in Saitama Prefecture
Local foods in Saitama Prefecture
Musashino Udon
Udon is a type of noodle made by kneading wheat flour, and it is eaten throughout Japan.
Musashino Udon is a dish that has been enjoyed for a long time in the farming region of the Musashino Plateau in western Saitama Prefecture.
Regular udon noodles are white, but the noodle of Musashino Udon has a slightly brownish color because it contains wheat bran.
The boiled noodles are served on a bamboo basket, and you eat them by dipping them into the broth in a separate bowl.
The broth is made by mixing soy sauce into Japanese-style dashi, and it is served with pork, green onions, and other vegetables added to it.
You can enjoy Musashino udon at many udon restaurants in Saitama Prefecture.
Soka Senbei
Soka Senbei is one of Japanese rice crackers, and is made in Soka city located at southeast part of Saitama Prefecture.
("O" in "Soka" is pronounced with a long vowel, so it is read as "Sōka".)
It is made from rice flour.
After baking, both sides are brushed with shoyu (soy sauce).
A piece is circular in shape and its size is generally about 9 centimeters in diameter.
The taste is very simple.
It is one of the popular souvenirs in Tokyo area.
Local specialties in Saitama Prefecture
Hina Dolls in Iwatsuki city
Photo by Saitama Tourism & International Relations Bureau
March 3 is the Doll Festival in Japan, and it is the day for the future happiness of girls.
And, families with girls display a set of dolls (Hina dolls) dressed in costumes which were worn in the royal court in ancient times.
Saitama Prefecture is the top producer of Hina dolls in Japan, and especially Iwatsuki district in Saitama city is famous.
Since these dolls are displayed in March, they go on sale from autumn through winter.