Kasukabe, city in central Japan, on east central Honshu Island, in eastern Saitama Prefecture about 30 km (about 19 mi) north of downtown Tokyo. Kasukabe is located in a productive agricultural area on the Furu Tone River. With increasing urbanization of the Tokyo area, Kasukabe has become primarily a residential community for commuters. The city specializes in the manufacture of traditional Japanese products, including tansu (wooden chests), geta (traditional clogs), and hagoita (wooden paddles used as New Year's decorations). Kasukabe's main passenger-rail station is the junction of the Tobu Isesaki and Tobu Noda lines. Local attractions include Ushijima-no-Fuji, a garden with centuries-old wisteria plants, and the Yahata Shrine, a shrine of the samurai Kasukabe family built in 1331. During the Edo period (1603-1867) Kasukabe was founded as a post-station town (an officially regulated settlement catering to travelers) on the Nikko Kaido, one of the five historic highways that radiated from Edo (now Tokyo) to the surrounding provinces. Population (1999) 203,389.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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