Situated in Saitama prefecture, just an hour out of Tokyo, is Kawagoe Castle. To reach Kawagoe from Tokyo, take a train from Ikebukuro station. When many people think of castles in Japan, they think of the multi story towering structures. However, Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace was designed as a flat land castle, and what you see today are some of the only surviving buildings of the castle. It was originally built in 1457, and was used as the Lord of Kawagoe’s residence and offices.  In 1545, there was a large battle, known as the Siege of Kawagoe Castle which involved two rival family Samurai clans, the Hojo and the Uesegi. They had been fighting for decades over the land of Kawagoe, and in 1545, the Hojo clan won victory and took charge of the castle.

When the Edo period began in 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu appointed his own loyal subject as the Lord of Kawagoe to protect it as it had become a very important trade city for Japan. It was also decided it would be the strategic point of defence north of Tokyo. Throughout the Edo period, 21 different lords ruled in Kawagoe and lived here at the castle. 1603 – 1868. By 1870 and the start of the Meiji period, the castle had started to be dismantled, with parts of the castle being relocated to other parts of nearby cities. 

The structure you can visit and see today in Kawagoe was added in 1848, shortly before the end of the Edo period. Visitors can enjoy the castle’s spacious tatami mat rooms and beautiful garden which are beautiful especially in Autumn and Spring time. Visitors can also see models in the castle which depict the Kawagoe Lord with his staff discussing important matters. In 1967, the castle was designated as a tangible cultural property in Japan. For anybody with an interest in Samurai history and traditional Japanese architecture, Kawagoe Castle is a must visit during your trip to Kawagoe!

Want to experience the Kawagoe for yourself?

1 Day Tour

Day Trip to Kawagoe : Experience the ‘Little Edo’ of Japan
Period	All Year Round
Time	09:00 – 16:45
Meeting Place	Inside Ikebukuro Train Station
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000