Kumagaya City, Saitama埼玉県熊谷市
Living in Kumagaya City, Saitama
We have Summarized the livability of Kumagaya City, Saitama.
A central city in northern Saitama Prefecture where you can also board the Shinkansen.
NORTHERN AREA北部地域
CONTENTS
- What kind of place is Kumagaya City?
- Kumagaya CityPR video
- How are the relocation support services in Kumagaya City?
- How is the traffic situation in Kumagaya City?
- How are the rent and land prices in Kumagaya City?
- How is childcare and education in Kumagaya City?
- How about shopping in Kumagaya City?
- How about jobs and recruitment in Kumagaya City?
- Kumagaya City’s unique subsidy/subsidy system
What kind of place is Kumagaya City, Saitama?
Hoshikawa Symbol Road
The City with the Best Heat Countermeasures in Japan. A Comfortable and Charming Place to Live: “Kumagaya City”
Located in the northern part of Saitama Prefecture, “Kumagaya City” represents the northern Saitama region.
Kumagaya has a deep history, flourishing as a post town on the Nakasendo Road during the Edo period.
To the north, it crosses the Tone River and borders Oizumi Town, Ota City, and Chiyoda Town in Gunma Prefecture; to the west, it shares borders with Fukaya City; to the south, with Ranzan Town, Namegawa Town, Higashimatsuyama City, and Yoshimi Town; and to the east, it borders Konosu City and Gyoda City. Surrounded by numerous municipalities, it’s a central location.
As of January 1, 2022, Kumagaya’s population is 193,820 people (96,920 men and 96,900 women), with 88,072 households, making it the eighth largest in Saitama Prefecture. However, it has the largest population in northern Saitama, serving as a major economic hub for the area.
For this reason, it has been designated as a special city, a core business city, a landscape administrative body, and a designated administrative agency.
Kumagaya is also known for recording a high temperature of 39.7℃ in September 2000. Until a new record of 40.4℃ was set in Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture, in September 2020, Kumagaya held the record for Japan’s highest September temperature for 20 years, earning fame as the hottest city in Japan.
In recent years, the slogan has shifted from “Atsuizo! Kumagaya” (It’s hot! Kumagaya) to “Japan’s Best Heat Countermeasures,” and the city is actively working on the Heat Countermeasure Bank project.
PR video of Kumagaya City, Saitama
Kumagaya City OurPlace
Kumagaya City Official Channel / Kumagaya Living Information Bureau
This is a YouTube channel directly broadcast by Kumagaya City staff. This video delivers familiar information specific to Kumagaya City about twice a month. The video is full of the charm that can only be found in a local community. If you are interested in Kumagaya City, please check it out.
How are the relocation support services in Kumagaya City?
Joetsu Shinkansen
Kumagaya City Provides Generous Support for Newcomers Commuting to Tokyo
Kumagaya City offers numerous support programs to encourage new residents.
One unique program, the “Love Kumagaya! Shinkansen Commuter Fare Subsidy,” provides subsidies to newcomers who commute to Tokyo, covering part of their commuter pass expenses.
Additionally, for newlywed couples relocating to Kumagaya, there is a “Marriage and New Life Support Program” that assists with moving expenses, and the “Fixed Asset Tax Exemption Program” for those who purchase a home in Kumagaya, which exempts them from property taxes.
As housing support for new residents in Kumagaya, there are generous subsidies for families with children, including the “Smart House Subsidy” and “Workers’ Housing Loan Program.”
How is the traffic situation in Kumagaya City?
In front of Kumagaya Station
The Transportation Hub of Northern Saitama: Kumagaya City, Conveniently Connected to Tokyo, Gunma, Chichibu, and Kuki
Kumagaya City is served by the JR Takasaki Line, Chichibu Main Line, and the Joetsu Shinkansen. Centered around “Kumagaya Station,” a terminal station for the JR Takasaki Line, Chichibu Main Line, and Joetsu Shinkansen, the city also includes seven stations: Kagohara Station on the JR Takasaki Line; and Hirose-Yacho-no-Mori Station, Oaso Station, Sosio Distribution Center Station, Ishihara Station, and Kami-Kumagaya Station on the Chichibu Main Line.
While the journey from Kumagaya Station to Ueno or Ikebukuro takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes, the direct, no-transfer route makes commuting to the Tokyo metropolitan area feasible.
As the central city in northern Saitama, Kumagaya is also traversed by major highways. Running parallel to the main route is Route 17, which includes the Kumagaya Bypass; Route 407 flows in from Ota City in Gunma Prefecture to the north (Menuma Bypass); and Route 140 (Sai-Kai Road) connects to the Chichibu area. Kumagaya’s extensive transportation network is a key feature. Additionally, within Kumagaya, the “Yuyu Bus” community bus operates, as well as the Gyoda City circulator bus and regular route buses operated by Kokusai Juo Transportation.
From Kumagaya Station, you can get to Shinjuku Station in as little as 66 minutes on the Shonan Shinjuku Line, or you can get to Tokyo Station in about 40 minutes by Shinkansen.
If you are considering commuting to the city center, you should keep in mind the commute time and costs involved.
How are the rent and land prices in Kumagaya City?
Affordable Land Prices in Kumagaya City: A Great Time to Buy in an Area Set for Future Urban Growth
According to SUUMO, the average rental price for apartments in Kumagaya City is around 68,000 yen for a 1LDK and 76,000 yen for a 2LDK. Given the comfortable lifestyle Kumagaya offers, these prices seem reasonable.
The average land price in Kumagaya City is approximately 169,000 yen per tsubo. While the area outside of the city stations features expansive rural landscapes, land within walking distance of the stations averages over 400,000 yen per tsubo. With ongoing development in and around Kumagaya, this area comes highly recommended for prospective buyers.
A 15-minute walk from the station takes you into a quiet residential area, and walking further you will find yourself in an area rich in nature with expansive farmland.
Kumagaya City is famous for being a hot city, and it is necessary to take measures against the heat, such as by insulating your home.
How is childcare and education in Kumagaya City?
Kumagaya City: A Safe Place for Medical Expense Assistance for Children up to 18 Years Old
Kumagaya City boasts 36 nursery schools, 5 certified children’s centers, 9 community-based childcare facilities, and 58 after-school clubs, along with various childcare services such as temporary care, post-illness childcare, and holiday care.
Additionally, Kumagaya City offers the “Child Medical Expense Assistance Program” for children up to 18 years old enrolled in health insurance, which subsidizes the out-of-pocket costs for insured medical care. Unlike many municipalities in other prefectures that only provide assistance up to junior high school, Kumagaya provides comprehensive services for families raising children.
Generous Support for Birth Celebrations and Fertility Treatments: Child-rearing Concierge Services Backing Families!
Kumagaya City’s “Fertility Treatment Expense Subsidy Program” provides up to 100,000 yen per couple per year for a maximum of five years, deducting from Saitama Prefecture’s subsidy.
Moreover, Kumagaya City offers its own “Birth Celebration Subsidy Program“, granting 30,000 yen to parents of newborns in the city.
The “Book Start Program” presents a Book Start Pack containing recommended picture books and library information to babies during infant health check-ups. There’s also a subsidy for purchasing bicycles designed for two toddlers, available through the “Subsidy for Purchasing Bicycles for Two Toddlers“.
Kumagaya City is committed to supporting families raising children, including the “Childcare Concierge“, which provides personalized information about childcare services and facilities based on individual needs. This makes Kumagaya City a great place for dual-income families to raise children with peace of mind.
Unique Heat Countermeasures in Kumagaya City
In the hot summer months, Kumagaya City has prioritized heat countermeasures as an essential project. More details about the initiatives can be found in the “History of Heat Countermeasures.”
There are many daycare centers and few children on waiting lists, so it is a safe environment for dual-income families. There are also two well-equipped prefectural and municipal libraries where you can enjoy a wide variety of books.
It’s a place rich in nature and a great place for children to play, but children need to be protected from the heat.
How about shopping in Kumagaya City?
Nitto Mall
Kumagaya City: A Place for Fashion, Gourmet Delights, and Leisure Activities. Start Your Exploration with a Stroll Around the Station!
Kumagaya City features the direct access hub ” AZ Kumagaya,” which is connected to Kumagaya Station, as well as the complex shopping facility “Tiara 21.” Tiara 21 boasts a shopping floor filled with numerous specialty stores from the third floor down.
Additionally, there is the urban shopping mall called “Nitto Mall” located at the east exit of Kumagaya Station. This conveniently located mall offers ample parking for up to 1,000 vehicles, making it easily accessible for visitors from outside the city.
Within a 5-minute walk from Kamikumagaya Station, you can find the long-established “Yagihashi Department Store” and “AEON Kumagaya Store.” With a variety of options for fashion, gourmet food, and movie theaters, shopping in Kumagaya is truly fulfilling.
There are supermarkets scattered around the area, so you will have no trouble shopping for food and daily necessities.
There are regular clothing and general goods stores, but it is difficult to find rare or fashionable items in the city.
How about jobs and recruitment in Kumagaya City?
Kumagaya City: A Hub of Industry Welcoming a Wide Range of Residents, from Specialized Manufacturing Roles to Simple Tasks.
Kumagaya City is ranked fourth in the prefecture for its thriving industrial sector.
As a result, there are said to be 754 manufacturing-related businesses within the city, supported by multiple industrial parks, including the Kumagaya Industrial Park.
Major companies in the area include prominent manufacturers such as Taiyo Cement Kumagaya Plant, Riken Kumagaya Office, Nikon Kumagaya Office, Fujitsu Kumagaya Plant, and Hitachi Metals Kumagaya Plant.
Additionally, agriculture plays a significant role in Kumagaya, making it the second-largest city in the prefecture for agricultural production, following Fukaya City, with many Kumagaya-branded agricultural products being cultivated.
The city also boasts a robust commercial sector, featuring several department stores, station buildings, shopping malls, and electronics retailers. With numerous businesses across agriculture, industry, and commerce, there is a wealth of job opportunities available for both full-time employees and part-time workers.
If you are considering moving to Kumagaya City to work, be sure to check out job search websites to explore available opportunities.
Kumagaya City, Saitama’s unique subsidy/subsidy system
Kumagaya City, Saitama’s unique relocation assistance and relocation subsidy system
| I love Kumagaya! Shinkansen Easy Fares Commuting Subsidy Kumagaya City Marriage and New Life Support Project |
Kumagaya City, Saitama’s unique housing assistance and subsidy system
Kumagaya City, Saitama’s unique childcare support system
| Birth Celebration Money Child-Rearing Support Bicycle Outing Project Book Start Project |
Kumagaya City, Saitama’s unique system for further education and tuition assistance/subsidies
| School Support Kumagaya City Scholarship System and Kumagaya City Entrance Preparation Fund System Free School Lunch Program for Third Child and Beyond |
