Headed to Urawa - looking for info

[headsupcustoms]

Well it's official. At the beginning of the new year I am off to Urawa in the Saitama Prefecture, to teach for AEON. I can not wait! Now I need to save up some money lol.

But I wanted to know, does anyone have any information regarding Urawa? I was doing some research, but my research skills suck. I am looking for any type of info. What's in the area, what is there to do in my free time, places of interest, weather, yadda yadda yadda. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Silverpoint]

I used to live very near to Minami Urawa. It's not a bad area.

As far as stuff to do locally, apart from going to watch the (pretty successful) Urawa Red Diamonds soccer team, there isn't a lot to talk about. Of course you have all the usual stuff - izakayas, karaoke, golf etc. But don't worry if it sounds boring. You're on the doorstep of Tokyo, which is just a few minutes away on the train, so this is probably where you'll go for most of your fun/sightseeing. Personally I appreciated being able to visit Tokyo easily and conveniently, but then being able to go back to my home in Saitama where the pace of life is a little slower.

The weather is what you'd expect for the area - the year is dominated by a long hot, muggy summer and if you're anything like me, you'll spend a lot of your time sweating like a horse. Personally, I'm not a fan of Japanese summers, which is one of the reasons I now live in Hokkaido . Fall is nice, as the warm weather often lasts for a long time. Winter isn't that cold, but you might notice the chill a little more because most apartments don't have much in the way of heating - not like you're probably used to back home anyway.

If you get posted to a decent school and make friends quickly, I think you'll have a good time.

 

[Ewok85]

Basically, its smack bang on the edge of Tokyo, close to everything, and a nice little area.

I'm jealous already (I lived in Ageo and near Omiya so I went past Urawa twice a day)

 

[Mike Cash]

Urawa no longer exists.

 

[headsupcustoms]

I am liking the sound of it already. I found that it was close to Tokyo, and I am very pleased about that. I wanted to be in a mid-sized area, near Tokyo, and it looks like I got my wish! I love karaoke heheh so I will keep myself entertained. What is izakaya?

And I agree with the idea of visiting Tokyo but returning to a slower pace of life. I honestly can not wait! I will be such a tourist though, lots of video and pictures lol

How about in regards to traditional things like temples and such, as well as the hot springs, etc? Plus, and good spots to read up more about Saitama/Urawa?

Thanks again

I used to live very near to Minami Urawa. It's not a bad area.

As far as stuff to do locally, apart from going to watch the (pretty successful) Urawa Red Diamonds soccer team, there isn't a lot to talk about. Of course you have all the usual stuff - izakayas, karaoke, golf etc. But don't worry if it sounds boring. You're on the doorstep of Tokyo, which is just a few minutes away on the train, so this is probably where you'll go for most of your fun/sightseeing. Personally I appreciated being able to visit Tokyo easily and conveniently, but then being able to go back to my home in Saitama where the pace of life is a little slower.

The weather is what you'd expect for the area - the year is dominated by a long hot, muggy summer and if you're anything like me, you'll spend a lot of your time sweating like a horse. Personally, I'm not a fan of Japanese summers, which is one of the reasons I now live in Hokkaido. Fall is nice, as the warm weather often lasts for a long time. Winter isn't that cold, but you might notice the chill a little more because most apartments don't have much in the way of heating - not like you're probably used to back home anyway.

If you get posted to a decent school and make friends quickly, I think you'll have a good time.

 

[Ewok85]

Urawa no longer exists.

Has it been integrated into Saitama-shi?

 

[Mike Cash]

A few years ago, yes.

 

[headsupcustoms]

yeah I read about that, but honestly it is somewhat irrelevant because it serves the purpose right now of finding out about that specific area. as we have found out, there are people who didn't know about that. So that is why I generalized it as saitama but specified urawa this way I can get any info you folks may have. but thanks for pointing it out....

teen-age boy "And now I know!"
Duke "And knowing is half the battle!"
Background chorus "G.I. Jooooooeeeee!"

 

[headsupcustoms]

hey guys, just bumping this back up to see if any one has any more info about the area for me - I am getting ready for the departure, reading up on more posts about what to bring and what I need, etc. So any further relevant info is definitely appreciate! Thanks!