Places you can enjoy for free on Saitama Citizen’s Day

Saitama Prefecture Day

Information for Saitama Citizen’s Day or Prefecture Day or Saitama day, kenmin no hi 県民の日 in Japanese. Saitama Citizen’s day is on the 14th of November each year. Kenmin no Hi literally means citizen’s day, but when I first came to Japan and until very recently it was called Prefecture Day in English. In recent years, the official public relations from the prefecture use the literal translation “Citizen’s Day”.

On Saitama Citizen’s Day many venues and locations offer free entry to their attractions.  Moreover, there is a big event at the ‘kencho’ prefectural offices. Which will be on in 2022 for the first time in three years. In addition, on Saitama Citizen’s day you can also get special day tickets for the trains within Saitama. 

Below is the list of places that you and / or your children can enjoy for free on Saitama prefecture day annually.  However, in 2021 due to the Coronavirus some of these locations charged in. Moreover, in 2020, almost everywhere charged in for this reason. That is, in order to deter the usual crowds they attract on Saitama citizens day. However, in 2022, most of the places are once again free. Moreover, they are opening especially on Saitama Day even though its a Monday, which is when many of the municipal facilities are closed.

Free entry on Saitama Prefecture Day

This map is for an average year, i.e. not specific to the pandemic.

Here is the masterlist for a usual year. Below it you will find specifics for which are going ahead in 2022 and which are not.

Saitama Children’s Zoo

Saitama Children’s zoo will be free in again this year on November 14th (it wasn’t in 2020 due to the pandemic). Before the pandemic the children’s castle was also free in, but that may not be the case in 2022. However, the Beatrix Potter Museum (which is in the zoo) is free in on Saitama Day 2022. Also, please note the parking is always charged. Moreover, the zoo is always busy, like crazy busy, on Saitama Day, even when its a weekday. The zoo usually closes on Mondays, but in 2022 it will open especially for Saitama Day.

Opening hours: 9.30 to 17.00 (last entry 16.00)
Address: 554 Iwadono, Higashimatsuyama-shi, Saitama 355-0065
TEL: 0493-35-1234
Official website

In addition, more information in English about the Zoo:

Chikozan Park Zoo

Chikozan Park Zoo does not appear to be participating in the Saitama Day festivities in 2022. At least, it is not on the official prefectural list this year. It maybe that the zoo will close as it always does on Mondays, you can check the official website linked below to see if they are privately running an event this year. When it is included on the official prefectural list, it is usually free in for children.

Opening hours: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Address: 1-864, Kashiwabara, Sayama, Saitama 350-1335
Telephone: +81429539779
URL: Official website

Even more information about the zoo in English on this blog:

Tobu Zoo

In 2022, Tobu Zoo have a special pass for Saitama Day on November 14th. And they also have a special ticket for Ibaraki Citizen’s / Prefecture day too. That is on Sunday November 13th. Unfortunately, the “Attraction Pass Set” is not quite as attractive as it was in 2021! This year, 2022, they do not have an attraction pass for adults. But the attraction pass (all you can ride of participating rides) price is reduced from 3,300 yen to 2000 yen for Junior High aged children and from 3000 yen to 2000 yen for elementary school aged children.

Opening hours: 9.30 to 17.30
Address: 110 Suga, Miyashiro, Minami Saitama, Saitama 345-0831
TEL: +81 480-93-1200
Official website

More information on Tobu Zoo on this blog also:

Saitama Aquarium

The Saitama Aquarium offers free entry to the aquarium for children on citizen’s day only. It normally costs 200 yen per child. They have confirmed that they will also be offering this in 2022. However, adults and children over 15 years old are charged as normal: 500 yen per person. The aquarium is normally closed on Mondays, but it is opening especially for the prefecture day in 2022.

Opening hours: 9.30 to 17.00
Address: 751-1 Mitakaya, Hanyu City, Saitama 348-0011
TEL: 048-565-1010　FAX 048-565-2768
Official website

More information about the aquarium and the beautiful park its in:

Saitama Museum of Rivers

Entry to the grounds, even to the water playground and moreover parking are all free annually on Saitama Day. In addition, they usually hold a number of events in conjunction with the free entry for Saitama Prefectural Day. This is another location that is not on the official prefectural list for 2022, but they have confirmed that they will actually open on Prefecture Day 2022. And that it will be free in for Saitama-jin as always too. Moreover, they will have an autumn festival on the day.

Opening hours: 10.00 to 16.00 (grounds are open from 9.00 to 17.00)
Address: ３９ Kozono, Yorii, Osato District, Saitama Prefecture 369-1217, Japan
TEL: :+81 48-581-7333
Official website

More information about the Museum of Rivers in English:

_{Places with free entry on Saitama / prefecture day}

Tokorozawa Aviation museum

The aviation museum will open especially for the prefecture day in 2022. Moreover, the museum is free in for Saitama-jin. The museum is location in the Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park, which is an excellent park and always free.

Opening Hours: usual hours are 9.30 to 17.00 (last entry 16.30). But in 2022 presumably because its a Monday, they will only open from 10 am to 4.30 pm (last entry 4 pm).
Address: 1-13 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-0042
TEL: 04-2998-4388
URL: official website

More information in English about the engaging Tokorozawa aviation museum is also available on this blog.

Skip City Visual Museum

The Skip City Visual will be free in on Saitama Day in 2022. In addition, they will have their usual free movie showing on Prefecture day, as well as several workshops. However, you need to apply in advance, by November 13th, for a seat for the free movie which you can do here.

Opening hours: 9.30 to 17.00
Address: Sai no kuni Visual Plaza, 2nd Floor, Visual Museum, 3-12-63 Kamiaoki, Kawaguchi, Saitama 333-0844, Japan
TEL : 81-48-265-2500 / FAX : 81-48-265-2628
Official website

More information also in English about the excellent Skip City Visual Museum:

Kawaguchi Green Center

The Kawaguchi Green Center is free in to all and sundry on Saitama Day annually. It’s usually 310 yen for an adult and 100 yen for children older than 4 years old. However, you still have to pay for the field athletic and the mini train.

Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm (last entry 4 pm).
Address: 700 Araijuku, Kawaguchi, Saitama 333-0826.
TEL: 048-281-2319
Official website

Kawaguchi Science Museum

It is free in to the Kawaguchi Science Museum on prefecture day. The planetarium is also free, but you need to secure a “free viewing” ticket in advance at the entrance to the museum. They have several events and / or workshops on prefecture day.

Opening hours: 9.30 to 17.00
Address: (Inside Skip City) 3-12-18 Kamiaoki, Kawaguchi, Saitama 333-0844
TEL: 048-262-8431
Official Kawaguchi Science Museum website

Museum of the Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds

The Sakitama park is always free in and it is a beautiful park especially during cherry blossom season. The museum has a nominal fee that is waived on Prefecture Day annually. They have confirmed 2022 is no different and it will be free in for all residents of Saitama.

Opening hours: 9 am to 4.30 pm
Address: 4834 Sakitama, Gyoda, Saitama 361-0025
Tel: +81485591111
URL: Official website

Additional information in English about the park:

Kodai Hasu no Sato

The observation tower, including the small lotus museum, is free in for school aged children on Saitama Day 2022.

Hours: 9 am to 4.30 pm
Address: 2375 Kobari, Gyoda-shi
Tel: 048-559-0770
Official notification of free entry

More information in English on this website.

Kawagoe Museums

Free entry into Kawagoe museum, Kawagoe Festival museum and Yamazaki Museum in 2022. However, Kawagoe City Art Museum (Gallery) and Honmaru Goten that also normally participate, are not on the official list for 2022. But there are also special train passes for Kawagoe on Prefecture Day!

Opening hours: 9.30 to 17.30 (last entry 17.00)
Address: 2-1-10 Motomachi, Kawagoe City, Saitama 350-0062
TEL: 049-225-2727　FAX.049-227-5001
Kawagoe Matsuri Museum official website

Saitama Museum of Literature

The Saitama Museum of Literature in Okegawa is not included in the official 2022 list. Usually there is free entry to the museum.

Opening hours: 10.00 to 17.30
Address: 1 Chome-５-９ Wakamiya, Okegawa, Saitama Prefecture 363-0022, Japan
TEL: +81 48-789-1515
Official website

Center for Environmental Science Saitama (CESS)

The Center for Environmental Science Saitama is an engaging museum of sorts where you can learn about environmental science. In 2020 they were closed, in 2021 they decided not to have free entry and in 2022 they are not on the official prefectural list. But they are actually offering free entry this year. In addition, they will have special events including a science show.

Address: 914 Kamitanadare, Kazo, Saitama 347-0115
URL: Official website
Phone number: 0480-73-8331

More information about CESS also on this blog:

Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore

The Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore will have their usual Saitama Day special. That is, free entry into the museum.

Opening hours: 9 am to 4.30 pm
Address: 4-219 Takahanacho, Omiya Ward, Saitama, 330-0803
Phone: +81486410890
Official site

More information about the museum in English also on this website:

100 Caves of Yoshimi

Although not on the official list in 2022, the 100 caves will have their usual free entry. In addition, they will also have their annual Saitama Day festival. As far as I am aware, this is the first time in three years that they will have the festival.

Opening hours: for the free entry – 10 am to 3 pm
Address: 324 Kita Yoshimi, Yoshimi Town, Hiki District, Saitama
Phone: 0493-54-4541
Official website

Ogawa Genki Plaza

The Ogawa Genki Plaza is not included in the official prefectural day list for 2022. In a non pandemic year there is usually free entry into the facilities. There is also normally free access to the planetarium.

Opening hours: 9.30 to 17.30
Address: 561 Kiroko, Ogawa Town, Saitama, 355-0337
TEL: 0493-72-2220 | ＦＡＸ　0493-71-1043
Official website

Seibuen Amusement Park

Seibuen is not on the 2022 list.

Opening hours: 10.00 to 17.00
Address: 2964 Yamaguchi, Tokorozawa City, Saitama 345-0831
TEL: (04)2922-1371
Official website

Midori no naka no Family land, Musashi no Mura

Musashi no Mura are offering citizens of Saitama the “free pass” at a discounted price in 2022. Unfortunately it is not as discounted as it was in 2021! The pass is 2900 yen for adults and 2300 yen for children.

Opening hours: 9.30 to 16.30
Address: 1700-1 Shidami, Kazo, Saitama Prefecture 347-0042
TEL: +81 480-61-4126
URL: https://www.musashinomura.co.jp/event/index.html#e004

More information on Musashi No Mura in English also on this blog:

Sengenyama Miharashi Park

Saitama’s longest roller slide is usually free to use on Prefecture Day only. However, in 2022 it is not on the official list.

Opening hours: 9.45 am to 4.30 pm
Address: 〒355-0321 Saitama, Hiki District, Ogawa 1440
Phone: +81493731000
URL: Official website

There is more information about the location on this blog as well:

Aqua Paradise Patio

Fukaya Green Park’s Aqua Paradise Patio is not on the official 2022 list. Entry to the pools is free at Aqua Paradise Patio on Prefecture day in a normal year.

Opening hours: 10 am to 9 pm
Address: 763 Kashai, Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture 366-0816
Phone: 048-574-5000
URL: Official website

Other

• The Mt Buko museum in Hitsujiyama Park is free in and open especially in 2022
• Boxping in Urawa has discounts for Saitama Citizens on Saitama Day
• Hyaku Kannon hot spring is free in for children (it normally costs 400 yen)
• The Nature Museum in Chichibu is free in
• Hanaten garden in Koshigaya is free in
• Campbell town aviary is free in

You will also find there are several other discounts for and special events on Prefecture Day annually. For example, many of the train lines run a special campaign with discounted tickets for the week of Prefecture Day. Furthermore the Onsen Dojo hot springs such as Cafe Bivouac (Kumagaya) and Retro Springs Tamagawa (Tokigawa) usually offer discounts on Saitama Day. In addition, you will also find many places have special prices on the day, such as the Saitama Ice Arena.

Also, places outside Saitama usually offer discounts to people who live in Saitama day on November 14th annually. For example, Gunma Safari Park, Sanrio Puroland, Mothers Farm (Chiba) and Yomiuri Land have special offerings for residents of Saitama prefecture on Saitama day annually.

Please note, that due to all the discounts, freebies and special events, all the big tourist attractions tend to be extremely crowded on Prefecture day.

Originally posted in 2013. Republished in November 2021. Last update November 2022.