#LetsMET: HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN & HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI
Do you want to enjoy Tokyo (東京) while staying out of the hustle and bustle of the city? Saitama (埼玉県 Saitama-ken) and Gunma prefectures (群馬県 Gunma-ken) are the perfect places to set your base! These neighbouring prefectures are not only known for their beautiful mountains, rivers and hot springs which can be enjoyed all year round, they also allow for easy commuting into the city which is quick and convenient—making it the best of both worlds.
HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN (left) and HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI (right). (Image credit: JR-EAST HOTELS)
Located just north of Tokyo, Saitama Prefecture has much to offer travellers with its historic castle town of Kawagoe (川越), Railway Museum (鉄道博物館 Tetsudō Hakubutsukan), Tobu Zoo (東武動物公園 Tobu-doubutsu-kouen) and many other areas of scenic beauty. If this is right up your alley, then HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN would be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are a fan of rejuvenating onsens, skiing and whitewater rafting, and an abundance of nature, then HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI would be your go-to place to set your base. Both hotels are conveniently located—being either directly connected to the station, or a mere 1-minute walk away.
(Video credit: JRE HOTELS)
(Video credit: JRE HOTELS)
Food
There are many famous dishes that can only be eaten and enjoyed exclusively in Saitama and Gunma, making it it a fun experience for food-lovers alike. Let's take a closer look at some of the food spots that you can check out when staying at HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN and HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI respectively.
1. Furin (風凛)
(Image credit: 風凛)
- Rating: ★★★★☆
- Cuisines: Fish, vegetarian
- Suitable for: Couples
- Distance: 1-minute walk from HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN
- Recommended item: Sushi
Edo-style sushi prepared with fresh fish purchased from the morning fish market. Dishes served include carefully selected seasonal ingredients and vinegared rice from Niigata Prefecture. Refined counter seats and private rooms are also available for business meetings.
2. Serafina NEW YORK (セラフィーナニューヨーク さいたま新都心店)
(Image credit: セラフィーナニューヨーク さいたま新都心店)
- Rating: ★★★★☆
- Cuisines: Beef, pork, fish, chicken, vegetarian
- Suitable for: Couples
- Distance: 1-minute walk from HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN
- Recommended item: Pizza
What started out as a promise made between two friends evolved into the success of the Serafina Group, which then expanded to include Japanese cuisines! Enjoy authentic pizza and pasta with a Japanese twist that can only be enjoyed at Serafina NEW YORK.
3. Torihei (登利平 高崎西支店)
(Image credit: 登利平 高崎西支店)
- Rating: ★★★★⯪
- Cuisines: Chicken, vegetarian
- Suitable for: Families, couples
- Distance: 1-minute walk from HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI
- Recommended item: Bamboo Bento
Torihei started out as a bento shop for customers to purchase their bento and eat in the shinkansen. However, you can also choose to dine-in at the restaurant which is Torihei Takasaki Montres (登利平高崎モントレー) and get a chicken bento. It looks and sounds very simple, but I can personally vouch for its taste. My personal recommendation is to try the Bamboo (竹) menu.
4. Gunma no Daidokoro (群馬の台所)
(Image credit: 群馬の台所)
- Rating: ★★★★☆
- Cuisines: Pork, chicken, vegetarian
- Suitable for: Families, couples
- Distance: 1-minute walk from HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI
- Recommended item: Kamameshi
Try the kamameshi (釜めし) at Oginoya (おぎのや). The kamameshi is a homely dish of clay pot rice complete with 10 ingredients, served with accompanying dishes. Oginoya’s original store is at another location in Gunma, but a restaurant branch was opened in Takasaki Station (高崎駅 Takasaki-eki) to serve commuters in the area.
5. Eiju Tei (栄寿亭)
(Image credit:栄寿亭)
- Rating: ★★★★⯪
- Cuisines: Pork, vegetarian
- Suitable for: Couples
- Distance: 8-minute walk from HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI
- Recommended item: Katsudon
Established over 100 years ago, Eiju Tei is famously known amongst the locals of Takasaki City for its crispy Katsudon which are sold at a very affordable price. You can even choose to have a jumbo katsu if you’re feeling hungry!
Attractions
Both prefectures are blessed with a variety of sightseeing resources from being known as the lucky town—Takasaki City (高崎市 Takasaki-shi) in Gunma Prefecture to “Little Edo” in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture. However, you can also access many other prefectures and set HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN and HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI your base. Here are just some of the many other regions you can visit respectively.
1. Access to Narita / Haneda Airport (成田 / 羽田空港)
Narita and Haneda Airport (Image credit: Kentaro IEMOTO / CC BY-SA 2.0 and atmtx / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
- Distance from Narita Airport: 90 minutes via the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori Station, changing to the JR Keihin Tohoku Line + walking to HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN
- Distance from Haneda Airport: 90 minutes via the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho Station, changing to the JR Keihin Tohoku Line + walking to HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN
Formerly known as Tokyo International Airport used mainly for domestic flights, this airport has now become a popular point of transit for foreign visitors to Japan. Located closer to Tokyo, Haneda Airport also boasts a variety of shops and restaurants.
Narita Airport is the main international gateway to the Greater Tokyo region of Japan. The airport handles a large number of international flights as well as domestic and international flights by many budget airlines.
2. Access to Tohoku (東北) & Hokuriku (北陸) Area
Fukushima Prefecture in Tohoku Region and Ishikawa Prefecture in Hokuriku Region. (Image credit: kenkou hoshi / JNTO and JNTO)
- Distance: 70 minutes to Tohoku / 60min to Nagano via shinkansen from HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN
The Tohoku Region (東北地方 Tōhoku Chihō) consists of six prefectures: Fukushima (福島), Yamagata (山形), Miyagi (宮城), Iwate (岩手), Akita (秋田) and Aomori (青森) Prefecture. It is well known for its countryside, mountains, lakes, hot springs, high quality rice and rough winters.
Home to soaring mountains of the Japan Alps, and views of Japan’s west coast, the Hokuriku area is home to Toyama (富山), Fukui (福井) and Ishikawa (石川) Prefecture. Get to experience an elusive and appealing slice of rural Japan in Toyama and Fukui, while Ishikawa is home to art and culture, with its capital, Kanazawa City (金沢市 Kanazawa-shi) the center of both traditional and modern Japanese design.
3. Access to Tokyo (東京)
(Image credit: Koto City / JNTO)
- Distance: 30 minutes via JR Ueno / Tokyo Line to Tokyo Station from HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN
- Distance: 2 minutes via the JR Sobu Line to Tokyo Station from HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI
Japan’s capital city and one of the world’s most populous metropolis, Tokyo offers a vast variety of shopping, entertainment, cultural experiences and dining options to its visitors. From towering skyscrapers to green spaces, there’s plenty to discover in Tokyo.
4. Daruma Temple (Charm of Luck)
(Image credit: HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI / Facebook)
- Distance: 40 minutes via bus + walking from HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI
Built in 1697, Shorinzan Darumaji Temple (少林山達磨寺 Shōrinzandaruma dera) is purported to be the place where Japanese daruma dolls originated. The temple is piled high with daruma of various sizes and colors, each representing something different. Red is the most common color, which invites general good fortune.
5. Access to Shin’etsu (信越) Region
Niigata and Nagano Prefecture (Image credit: JNTO and Tourism Commission of Hakuba Village / JNTO)
- Distance: 50 minutes to Nagano / 60 minute to Niigata via shinkansen + walking from HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI
From renowned Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑 Jigokudani Yaen Kōen) and popular Nozawa Hot spring (野沢温泉), the Shin’etsu Region compromises of Nagano (長野) and Niigata (新潟) Prefecture. Surrounded by striking mountain peaks, with the rich soil and pure water, you should definitely visit for a refreshing experience in Japan.
(Image credit: JR-EAST HOTELS)
With plenty of amazing scenery to discover around Saitama and Gunma Prefecture, HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN and HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI are the perfect places to rest after a day of exploring.
HOTEL METROPOLITAN SAITAMA-SHINTOSHIN (ホテルメトロポリタンさいたま新都心)
Address: 11-1 Shintoshin, Chuo-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama, 330-0081
Nearest station: JR Saitama-Shintoshin Station (さいたま新都心駅)
No. of rooms: 157
Tel: +81-48-851-1111
HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI (ホテルメトロポリタン 高崎)
Address: 222 Yashima-cho,Takasaki-city,Gunma,370-0849
Nearest station: JR Takasaki Station (高崎駅)
No. of rooms: 141
Tel: +81-27-325-3311
Header image credit: JR-EAST HOTELS
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