2018.6.14

It was cloudy.

I took about 30 minutes earlier train than usual to go to Urawa, Saitama prefecture. It's been two years since we went last. We visited the Prefecture Government and Saitama City Office again but different departments from the last time.

At the prefecture government I heard a very interesting story. There is a long corridor between two buildings across the roads. It is wide and rather long. Therefore it is a popular film shooting place. One of the dramas shot there was Doctor X which I often watched on TV. When I see the drama next time, I will recognize.

2016.6.8

It was cloudy and fine.

I went to Kawaguchi (川口) city and Kasukabe (春日部) city in Saitama (埼玉) prefecture.

Saitama prefecture is located to the north of Tokyo and not so far from Tokyo but I seldom had chances to visit there.

In the late fall of 2014, I have visited to the west part of Saitama called Chichibu (秩父) to visit 34 temples for the pilgrimage for five times or so.
Besides that I only go to Saitama for business trips.
Two days ago I visited Saitama city. Since it was hard to find a place to eat lunch, I asked the local people where to eat today.  It seems the restaurant recommended is very popular and when I went out from there, some people were waiting outside.
I felt lucky to have been there at the good timing. Their speciality is tantan men (担々麺), Dandan noodles, but I do not prefer spicy foods, so I ordered the daily special lunch.

2012.7.25

It was a hot day. 
I passed near the Saitama Prefecture Governmental Office.  They had green curtains on the windows for saving energy.  And the buildings were earthquake-proof construction.  They say it became just before the 3.11 last year.
I listened to 2 lectures in the morning and went to see the Water Discharge Tunnel on the Outskirts of The Metropolitan Area in the afternoon. It is the large underground Discharge Channels providing safety and reassurance for people living in the Metropolitan Area.  They have 3 tours per day and during summer vacation it is full.  You need to make a reservation to see the underground channels but it is free of charge and worth visiting.  I did not know there are such facilities.  I recommend you to visit there if you have a chance.