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racetrack
Tsukuba Circuit
Compact 2.045 km Ibaraki track that became the world benchmark for time attack, hosting legendary Hot Version and Best Motoring battles. A sub-minute lap here is the holy grail of tuner culture.
30 km · about 35 min drive
AsiaJapanSaitama
Shōbu
Saitama, Japan · Asia
About Shōbu
Shōbu is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Kisai, 43km from Sensō-ji.
Shōbu is in Saitama, Japan, with about 22,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Kisai, about 4 km away.
Shōbu (菖蒲町, Shōbu-machi) was a town located in Minamisaitama District, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Where to Stay in Shōbu
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Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Shōbu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Shōbu?
Within an hour or so of Shōbu: Tsukuba Circuit (30 km), Kayaba Coffee (41 km), Tokyo National Museum (42 km), Shinjuku (42 km).
Are there any good drives near Shōbu?
The nearest famous roads are Irohazaka Winding Road, Yabitsu Pass and Mount Haruna Touge.
Where is Shōbu?
Shōbu is in Saitama, Japan, about 4 km from Kisai.
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Places within a drive of Shōbu. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 22,156
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Saitama
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 36.0667, 139.6000
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for JapanTags
Worth the detour from Shōbu
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
cafe
Kayaba Coffee
A 1938 corner kissaten in a converted machiya in Yanaka, saved from demolition and reopened with its original layout. Known for the tamago sando and a coffee-and-cocoa mix called Rousseau.
41 km · about 50 min drive
museum
Tokyo National Museum
Japan's oldest and largest museum, with an unparalleled collection of Japanese art and Asian antiquities spanning millennia.
42 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Shinjuku
Tokyo's massive commercial and entertainment hub featuring towering skyscrapers, neon-lit nightlife streets, and the famous Kabukicho district.
42 km · about 50 min drive
cathedral
Sensō-ji
Tokyo's oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, located in the historic Asakusa district.
43 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Tokyo Skytree
Tallest tower in the world at 634 metres, a broadcasting and observation tower dominating the eastern Tokyo skyline.
44 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Meiji Shrine
A serene Shinto shrine surrounded by a lush forested park, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken in the heart of Tokyo.
44 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Akihabara Electric Town
Tokyo's vibrant electronics and anime district, famous for its neon-lit streets, manga shops, and otaku culture.
44 km · about 50 min drive
Driving roads near Shōbu
4 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 71 kmTokyo Bay Aqua-LineA 14 km highway crossing Tokyo Bay via the world's fourth-longest undersea road tunnel, surfacing at the Umihotaru rest-island. Drive under the bay, then sip coffee mid-ocean with skyline views.
- 74 kmIrohazaka Winding RoadTwin one-way mountain roads with 48 hairpin bends linking Nikko to Lake Chuzenji, each curve named after a character of the old Japanese alphabet. Spectacular in autumn and legendary among touge drivers.
- 79 kmYabitsu PassA tight, tree-walled climb over the Tanzawa mountains west of Tokyo, long a favourite of motorcyclists and cyclists for its relentless switchbacks. The narrow western descent to Lake Miyagase is single-track in places.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Shōbu.
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