By 冒険紀行チャンネル

This video from the 冒険紀行チャンネル (Adventure Travel Chronicles) takes viewers on a nostalgic walk through Sakado City (坂戸市) in Saitama Prefecture, focusing around Sakado Station (坂戸駅). Once a prosperous post town along the old Nikkō Wakikaidō route, Sakado retains its historical atmosphere alongside modern developments and retro charms.

The exploration highlights the town’s unique juxtaposition of eras. Towering new residential buildings stretch into the sky, but nestled beside them are pockets of classic Showa-era retro charm — nostalgic shopping streets, enduring mom-and-pop stores, and distinctly Japanese architecture that echoes an era long past. Viewers are shown how the remnants of Sakado-juku (坂戸宿), the old post-town, have intertwined into a dynamic townscape that honors its heritage while embracing contemporary life.

Especially captivating are the retro-style shopping arcades like Sun Road, where vintage signage and shopfronts transport visitors back several decades. The town's streets still hint at the rhythm of the Edo period, when it served as a rest stop for travelers heading to Nikkō. These fragments of history, now enmeshed in the slower pace of modern suburban living, offer a calming urban stroll filled with charm.

For those interested in the deep towns of Saitama or seeking lesser-known cultural and historical spots near Tokyo, Sakado is a fascinating destination. This video captures that often-overlooked layer of Japanese cities where periods collide quietly, revealing rich stories of place and time just under the surface.