All signs lead to Saitama Stadium. (Allsport)

The Saitama prefecture has a population of 6,838,000 and us located in the middle of the Kanto Plain area.

It is blessed with an abundance of nature and visitors can encounter beautiful scenery with clear spring waters and greenery.

Apart from the mountainous northern region and the Chichibu region, most of the prefecture consists of level ground, aand it has the same warm climate as Central Tokyo.

The rainy season, called Tsuyu, starts in June and runs to mid-July.

The average temperature in Saitama is 21.6c and there are 20.8 rainy days in June.

Tourists are advised to take a long-sleeved shirt, a light coat and umbrella.

Places To Visit:

Hikawa Jinja (Hikawa Shrine): 5min walk from Kita-Omiya Station, this is one of the very few historic and formal shrines in Japan.

It was founded during the reign of the Fifth Emperor Kosho and a number of ceremonies are held there during the year. When you walk to the shrine you will arrive at the compound where the main hall and worship hall stand side by side.

Omiya Sopia: 5min walk from Omiya Station and situated in Omiya Sonic City, this area displays and sells more than 900 products made in Saitama Prefecture. Operated in collaboration with the Saitama Product Promotion Association, the centre has been certified as "fine brands". The goods include foods, traditional handcrafts and other items.

Minuma Tsusenbori (Minuma Canal): 8min walk from the Higashi-Urawa Station. This is the oldest canal in Japan, built in the same way as the lock gate of the Panama Canal. It provides a connection between the Minuma Irrigation Canal and the Shiba River and has a rise and fall of 3m. It shows the strength of the technology of the time and has been designated a natural historic landmark.

Saitama Prefectural Modern Art Museum: 3min walk from Kita-Urawa Station. It has an entrance hall built in a well-hole style to let in natural light. Its exhibits include works by famous Japanese artists as well as masterpieces by the world's greats including Renoir, Monet and Picasso.

John Lennon Museum: 3min walk from Saitama-Shintoshin Station. The first permament John Lennon museum in the world is located on the 4th and 5th floors of the Saitama Super Arena. It was built to extend to the people of the 21st century and accurate image of the life and works of Lennon. It displays a number of articles including his guitars, clothers and memorabilia belonging to Yoko Ono.

Accomodation

A wide range is available in downtown in Sendai, from affordable business hotels to first-class city hotels.

In other tourist areas around the prefecture, especially at hot spring resorts, a stay at a ryokan is highly recommended to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle.

Where To Eat:

Renkon: A resteraunt which specialises in Japanese dishes. Prices start from Y3,500.

Yamazakiya: Speciality here is eel which is served in a barbecue sauce for Y1,700.

Jinbe: Tofu is the dish here and is available in a pizza form for Y500.

Wakarazuya: Ethnic dishes including beef tongue and lightning tofu are the order of the day. Prices start at Y500.

How To Get There

By Rail: From Tokyo to Shin-Osaka Stadium- JRs Shinkansen "Nozomi". It takes 2hrs 40 min and there are 20 daily runs. JR Shinkansen "Hikari" takes three hours and there are 93 daily runs. From Tokyo to Sun-Kobe Station JR Shinkansen "Hikari". It takes 3hrs 15 min and there are 41 daily runs. From Tokyo to Nagoya Station - JR Shinjansen "Nozomi". It takes 1hr 36 min and there are 29 daily runs. JR Shinkansen "Hikari" takes 1hr 50 mins and there are 93 daily runs.

To the World Cup stadium :

By rail From Omiya Station take the Kokussai Kogyo bus which takes 40 minutes. It is a 15 mins walk Urawa-Misono Station.