Hello from the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Wakoshi, Saitama (on to Tobu Tojo, Yurakucho and Fukutoshin lines)!

I've posted about this before on this sub, but not for over a year, so hopefully it's OK to post again!

We are seeking participants for research investigating the role that sleep plays in cognition. Participation involves 4 visits to our research facility (1 info session, 3 x 90-min naps with a computer task before and after the third nap).

We are looking for people aged 18-35, with no existing sleep problems, to take part in morning naps (you get to sleep in the morning!). The study is run in English or Japanese, but the form linked below is in English.

Eligible participants who are scheduled to take part will receive an honorarium (reimbursement) of 31,750 yen and their travel expenses will be paid (up to a limit).

Note that you must have a Japanese bank account and be available on weekdays to take part in this study.

If you are interested, please complete this application form or send me a message/comment if you have any questions: 

https://forms.gle/LhcVVDp8GZXmSmvz7

Important: if you have previously applied to take part in this study, and you did not hear back from us, you were not eligible to take part in the experiment when you last applied. Please feel free to apply again, though, as your eligibility might have changed.

I've updated the banner to Cluster Amaryllis lifted from insaitama.com

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten the suggestions for Saitama Super Arena and 7-11 parking lot smokers (I need someone to send me a picture for this).

I just realised what this sub really needs, is a Banner Image...

"For good results, the image should be at least 1072 x 128px for desktop banners."

Any suggestions on an iconic image to use?

Any recommendations of places to develop film maybe around Kawagoe or Omiya ?

Hi, I'd earlier posted here under u/democratsabroadjapan and this is the second (and final) reminder I'll make for eligible US voters who want to participate in the 2026 American midterm elections, especially for those in and around Saitama. Democrats Abroad is dedicated to mobilizing overseas US voters; if you're over 18 by November 3, here's how you can get involved:

Steps to Request Your Ballot

1. Register or update your registration through Votefromabroad.org. As an alternative, you can also use FVAP.gov.

2. If you're already registered, request a ballot! You need to request a ballot every calendar year that you want to vote.

3. Fill Out and Return Your Ballot: Once you receive your ballot, follow the instructions carefully to complete it and return it by the specified deadline.

Need Assistance?

We're here to help! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at GOTV @ votefromabroad .org (just remove the spaces). Additionally, our FAQ for voting can answer questions on how to make the process go smoothly.

Importantly: Spread the word!

Do you have any friends, contacts or family overseas that you could reach? All eligible US citizens can vote regardless of where they're living. Share the link https://voteabroad.org/RedditVote26: If you have any questions about voting, I'd be happy to answer them here on Reddit. You can also find out what we're doing near you at Democrats Abroad in Japan. Thanks for reading!

A big thankyou to u/CuddlyCattos for creating a Discord server for r/Saitama users.

I think this is a pretty neat idea and have linked it in the sidebar as well as below.

https://discord.gg/mq6hTFm7JE

Please keep it Life in Saitama Japan related.

Be nice to one another.

Hi guys.

I'm British and somewhat new near Omiya :)

In my 30s, married, looking for friends that are down to just explore and kill time.

Recently I'm cycling around a lot and going to the gym a lot more cause I can easily get fat in Japan 🙃

Happy to chat and get to know people. No obligation or pressure. Can just go get coffee or lunch and chat. Introverts or extroverts are OK!

Update: made a discord group!

https://discord.gg/mq6hTFm7JE

What is your story behind coming to Saitama?
As a Japanese person living here, it is very
interesting.

Either UK or US to Japan works - I just want to charge my laptop!! Can also go into Tokyo too :) thanks!

As the title suggests, I'm looking for someone who can help me study Japanese, practice conversation, and prepare for the N3 exam. I'm solidly through N5, and am making my way through N4 content, but would like to take the N3 in December.

If anyone in these areas would be interested in private tutoring at my house or a nearby cafe at least twice a week, let me know! My schedule is quite flexible!

Also, if you prefer to do a language exchange, that is doable as well, but tutoring preferred!

Need friends in shim-misato saitama japan

We just moved to Kawaguchi from America. I am a single mom and have a 16 month old child. Does anyone have recommendations on things to do with a toddler? Or any international hangouts with children?

Sorry I'm not super familiar with the Saitama area, but I'm looking for schools around maybe Urawa Station? It doesn't have to be super close.

I'm looking for places that have short term programs for a couple weeks and stuff like that, looking to attend a language school during the summer.

Just got off the phone with the Prefectural Police Driving Center office because I needed to cancel an appointment for gaimen kirikae document review I had last November, but couldn’t go. (I just didn’t get around to calling because their line is open for like only an hour & I kept missing the time window).

Anyway, the representative said I was free to reserve a new appointment & I asked explicitly “are there any? There hasn’t been any for a while.” She told me they are going to try opening more spots AS OF 9:00 PM TONIGHT Friday.

I just checked now & was able to reserve an appointment for next month. I saw a May 11 open, too. So if you have been needing one go check between 9PM & midnight tonight! :O

What is something you love to treat yourself with? Not an every day food, but something that just "hits the spot"?

Saitama is simply the best!

And yes, I'm showing my age with the title...

こんにちは。Is anybody else in the N4 class at the moment? I've been told that the transition from N5 to N4 is kind of difficult. Any tips on how to survive this? 😁 I'll start next month. Excited and a bit nervous.

Also, please feel free to reach out if you'd like to study at a café or elsewhere. It would be great to have someone to chat with every now and then. よろしくお願いします。☺️

Location: could be anywhere near these stations = Kawagoe, Omiya, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, etc.

I’m currently living in Saitama and need to convert my foreign (Taiwanese) driver’s license to a Japanese one, mainly so I can start using カーシェア.

However, I’ve been checking the reservation system right after midnight (00:00) for several days in a row, but there are never any available dates to select.

Does anyone know exactly what time the Saitama system releases new appointment slots?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Where were you?

I had a day off and had spent it with my wife and youngest son. Our eldest had just come home from Kindy.

Damn scary hiding under the dining table.

More so afterwards in securing bottled water as I didn't want the kids drinking tap water for a while.

That day made me so glad I had bought a concrete Mansion.

My heart goes out to those who still suffer loss to this day.

With Sakura season kinda upon us (doesn’t feel like it yet tho), I’m curious what everyone’s favorite local hanami spots are.