Kasukabe is well-known in Japan as the setting of the manga and anime series Crayon Shin-chan. Shin-chan's creator Yoshito Usui also lives in Kasukabe.
Kasukabe is famous throughout Japan for the production of kiri-tansu (桐箪笥), traditional dressers made from the wood the paulownia tree. The cultural and economic value of the paulownia tree is reflected in its designation as the official town tree. The leaves and blossoms of the paulownia tree appear on the obverse side of the 500 yen coin.
Kasukabe is serviced by the privately-owned Tobu Noda and Tobu Isesaki train lines, connecting respectively to the JR train network at Omiya and Shin-Koshigaya at their nearest transfer points.
Kasukabe is home to 1 of 3 Robinson Department Stores opened in Japan. The large seven-story American-styled department store serves as a landmark for local residents.
External links
Official website (http://www.city.kasukabe.saitama.jp/) in Japanese
Official website (http://www.city.kasukabe.saitama.jp/english/) in English