Overview
Kumagaya served as a post-town on the historic Nakasendo route connecting Kyoto and Tokyo, and remains an important traffic hub for northern Saitama. The city is best known for holding Japan's temperature record of 41.1°C set on 23 July 2018, though its appeal lies in its position as a convenient transit point on the Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines, and as home to the top-level Saitama Wild Knights rugby team.
Architecture · History · Museums · Transit Hub
Before you go
History
As a former Nakasendo post-town, Kumagaya retains historical character with temples and traditional gardens to explore.
Rugby
The Saitama Wild Knights play at Kumagaya Rugby Ground. The city was a 2019 World Cup host, and Rugby Road connects the station to the stadium.
Transport
Kumagaya Station provides access via JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line, JR Takasaki Line, Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen, and Chichibu Railway. It's a major junction for northern Saitama.
Weather
Kumagaya is one of Japan's hottest cities, reaching 40°C+ in summer due to Föhn winds from the Chichibu Mountains. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to visit.
