TOKYO, Oct 10 (News On Japan) –
Japan’s annual prefectural attractiveness rating has positioned Saitama Prefecture on the backside for the primary time, shocking even native restaurant homeowners. Now in its seventeenth yr, the 2025 survey as soon as once more topped Hokkaido as essentially the most engaging prefecture — sustaining its good document for the reason that rating’s inception.
Kyoto and Okinawa adopted in second and third place, with Kanagawa climbing to fourth forward of Tokyo, boosted by the recognition of its coastal delicacies reminiscent of shirasu rice bowls. Chiba, residence to Tokyo Disneyland, got here in 18th.
The greatest shift got here on the decrease finish of the checklist. Saga Prefecture, which ranked final in 2024, rose two spots, pushing neighboring Saitama right down to forty seventh place for the primary time.
According to the survey firm, one main issue behind Saitama’s low rating is its weak repute for meals, with respondents ranking its culinary picture significantly poorly.
However, Saitama’s native delicacies tells a unique story. In Kawagoe, a historic metropolis generally known as “Little Edo,” a conventional eel restaurant that has operated for the reason that Edo interval highlights the area’s lengthy affiliation with freshwater unagi.
“Eel used to be an important source of protein caught in the Arakawa and Iruma rivers,” mentioned Maki Takahashi of Ichinoya, a long-established unagi restaurant. “There are many eel restaurants in Kawagoe.”
In reality, Saitama has one of many highest numbers of eel eating places per capita in Japan — a degree of pleasure for locals.
Residents additionally talked about the prefecture’s well-known udon noodles. Saitama is residence to the well-known chain Yamada Udon, and the prefectural authorities promotes 18 kinds of regional udon as signature dishes.
One standout is “Kawahara Udon,” a large, flat noodle measuring about 8 centimeters throughout, impressed by the Arakawa River, mentioned to be the widest in Japan. The dish was created in Kōnosu City 17 years in the past and has since turn out to be a beloved native specialty.
“I can’t accept that our food ranks so low,” mentioned Hisanao Komine, proprietor of Men Kobo Kuraichi, a neighborhood noodle store. “If Kawahara Udon could become a top brand for Saitama and help spread our food culture, I’d be delighted.”
While Saitama could have fallen to the underside of Japan’s attractiveness rating, a more in-depth look reveals a prefecture wealthy in taste and character — from its riverside unagi traditions to its uniquely extensive udon.
Source: FNN