cities

Ageo

Open on map More cities Spin a random place Ask WorldAI

Overview

Ageo (上尾市, Ageo-shi) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of February 1, 2024, the city had an estimated population of 230,041 in 107,555 households and a population density of 5100 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 45.51 square kilometres (17.57 sq mi).

Facts

Rank

—

Coordinates

—

Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia681 words

WBP editorial3

A commuter’s rhythm, not a tourist’s itinerary

Ageo sits in the seamless commuter belt that ties Saitama to central Tokyo, yet its daily pulse is marked by a quiet efficiency that many visitors overlook. The local train stations double as informal galleries for community art projects, where schoolchildren showcase seasonal sketches that change with the calendar. Grab a coffee at a corner kiosk during the morning rush and you’ll hear a medley of dialects – a subtle reminder that the city is a melting pot of people coming from both rural hinterlands and the capital. This steady flow creates a lived-in ambience, offering a glimpse into Japan’s urban rhythm beyond the neon‑lit spectacles of its larger neighbours.

Green pockets in a dense grid

Despite its compact footprint, Ageage quietly nurtures a network of modest parks and river walks that provide respite for residents. A short stroll along the Shiba River’s embankment reveals narrow wooden bridges and tea‑houses that have survived the post‑war rebuilding era, offering a reflective contrast to the surrounding high‑rise blocks. Seasonal azalea displays, though not a citywide hallmark, bloom in community gardens, attracting photographers who value the subtle colour shifts against the backdrop of commuter trains. For the traveller seeking a pause without leaving the metropolitan zone, these green corridors illustrate how densely built Japanese cities still carve out intimate natural interludes.

Local flavour beyond the sushi chain

Ageo’s culinary scene is anchored less in high‑end sushi bars and more in modest izakayas that serve up regional specialties such as izushi (pressed sushi) made with locally sourced river fish. Saturday mornings see neighbourhood markets where vendors lay out hand‑wrapped bento boxes, each reflecting seasonal produce from Saitama’s farms. The city’s modest size means that meals are often shared with families across generations, turning a simple lunch into a cultural tableau of etiquette and conversation. Paying attention to these everyday food rituals offers insight into how Japanese urban dwellers maintain a connection to seasonal cycles, even within a commuter‑heavy environment.

Introduction

City in Kantō, JapanAgeo 上尾市CityAgeo City Hall FlagSealLocation of Ageo in Saitama PrefectureAgeoCoordinates: 35°58′38.6″N 139°35′35.5″E / 35.977389°N 139.593194°E / 35.977389; 139.593194CountryJapanRegionKantōPrefectureSaitamaArea • Total45.51 km2 (17.57 sq mi)Population (February 1, 2024) • Total230,041 • Density5,055/km2 (13,090/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)- TreeOsmanthus- FlowerAzaleaPhone number048-775-5111Address3-1-1 Honchō, Ageo-shi, Saitama-ken 362-8501Website　Official website Ageo Maruyama Park Ageo (上尾市, Ageo-shi) is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of February 1, 2024, the city had an estimated population of 230,041 in 107,555 households and a population density of 5100 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 45.51 square kilometres (17.57 sq mi).

Geography

[edit] Ageo is located in the Kanto Plain, slightly east of the center of Saitama Prefecture, and there are no mountains in the city. The city is roughly 10.48 km east–west and 9.32 km north–south. It partially touches the left bank of the Arakawa River.The Kamo River and Shiba River flow through the city. The Ayase River forms the boundary to the east and the Egara, a tributary of the Arakawa River forms the northwest boundary. Surrounding municipalities[edit] Saitama Prefecture Hasuda Ina Kawagoe Kawajima Okegawa Saitama (Kita-ku, Minuma-ku, Nishi-ku) Climate[edit] Ageo has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ageo is 14.7 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1388 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.9 °C.

Demographics

[edit] Per Japanese census data, the population of Ageo expanded rapidly in the late 20th century and has grown at a slower pace in the 21st. Historical populationYearPop.±% 1920 19,912—     1930 20,578+3.3% 1940 23,551+14.4% 1950 32,673+38.7% 1960 38,889+19.0% 1970 110,792+184.9% 1980 166,243+50.0% 1990 194,947+17.3% 2000 212,947+9.2% 2010 223,926+5.2% 2020 226,940+1.3%

History

[edit] Ageo-shuku, a post town on the Nakasendō highway flourished during the Edo period. Ageo's rail station opened in 1883. In 1889, Ageo-juku merged with the hamlets of Ageoshimo, Kashiwaza, Kasugayatsu and Yatsu to form the town of Ageo with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. The two towns of Hirakata and Haraichi and the three villages of Kamihira, Ōishi and Ōya merged with the town of Ageo on January 1, 1955, which was elevated city status on July 15, 1958. In the 1960s, four large-scale public housing complexes were established, forming new town developments which greatly expanded the city's population. A proposal to merge with the neighboring city of Saitama was rejected by referendum in 2001.

Economy

[edit] Ageo was a noted agricultural area well into the 20th century, and various vegetables were cultivated. Agricultural land in the city area is declining, but in addition to pears, grapes and kiwis, various items such as tomatoes, cucumbers and spinach are produced. In the second half of the 20th century, numerous metallurgical and automobile factories were constructed, and UD Trucks and Bridgestone Cycle remain major employers. Due to its geographic location, Ageo is increasingly becoming a bedroom community for Saitama City and Tokyo.