Step out of Tokyo and step back in time to ’Little Edo’. A slice of old Japan filled with history, wonderful food and impressive architecture. Kawagoe is fast becoming a popular day trip to do during your trip to Tokyo as it is often likened to a mini Kyoto. Kawagoe is a great day trip from nearby Tokyo, and is also the perfect stop off on your way to Nagano so you can make the most of your travel time in between destinations! Here at SMR we have compiled a list of the top experiences you can enjoy during your Kawagoe trip, with some of these experiences even being included on one of our tours! So read on to find out more.
WHERE IS KAWAGOE?
Based in Saitama prefecture yet only just over 30 minutes away from Tokyo from Ikebukuro station and 1 hour from Shinjuku/Shibuya stations, it is a great opportunity to venture out and see a different part of Japan but with the ease of still being close to the city!
THINGS TO DO IN KAWAGOE
Kawagoe has a broad range of activities and attractions including museums, shopping, food and drink, shrines and temples, and iconic architecture. Visiting Kawagoe will give you the opportunity to learn all about Kawagoe’s past and significance in the ’Old Town’ and Castle remains, walk the historic streets lined with Kurazukuri clay warehouses and the famous Toki no Kane Bell Tower, shop for local crafts and delicious street food, and visit some beautiful and unique shrines and temples. This is the perfect opportunity to get out of Tokyo and experience a different side to Japan!
If after reading this article you feel inspired to experience historic Kawagoe for yourself, then why not join our 1 Day Kawagoe tour!
1 / Kitain Temple
One of the most important and exciting facts about Kitain temple is that it is home to the only original remaining buildings and structures from the original Edo castle in Tokyo! This is because most of the temple was destroyed by a large fire in 1638, and parts of Edo castle were donated to help rebuild the temple by the Tokugawa Shogun at the time. The Head Priest of Kitain became very popular and friendly with the first three Shogun of the Edo period, which is why they were so generous in helping to rebuild the temple. It was the third Shogunate, Tokugawa Iemitsu who ordered several palace buildings to be moved from Tokyo to Kawagoe! Kitain is also home to the Gohyaku Raikan statues. 540 statues are said to be here, all representing the disciples of Buddha who have reached nirvana. They were carved from 1782 to 1825, and each of the statues has its own unique facial expression, take time to study them when you visit!
2 / Hikawa Shrine
Hikawa Shrine is one of Kawagoe’s most famous and popular shrines founded over 1,500 years ago. The shrine is also designated as an important cultural asset of Saitama prefecture. The shrine was held in high regard by the Samurai and Lords of Kawagoe, and was believed to be an important guardian shrine for the castle and town. Due to this, many wealthy lords gave money to the shrine to expand and build the beautiful buildings you can see today. 5 deities are worshipped here, with this including two divine couples. Therefore, people come here to pray for good fortune in relationships, marriage and for the happiness of their household. When you visit Hikawa Shrine make sure to have a go at catching your fortune! You can catch a ‘Tai’ or Sea Bream lucky charms with a fishing pole, which are seem symbol of good luck. You can get different fortunes relating to good fortune in life and relationships! Hikawa is also the lead shrine for the famous Kawagoe festival in October, known as the Kawagoe Hikawa Matsuri. So if you’re visiting when the festival is happening, be sure to head to Hikawa and enjoy the exciting atmosphere!
3 / Explore the Historic ‘Old Town’ and Warehouse District
Probably Kawagoe’s most famous attraction is its Warehouse district and old town area. This part of Kawagoe is brimming with charm and nostalgia of an age gone by due to its historic and beautifully preserved architecture and landmarks. This is considered the centre and heart of Kawagoe, and where you will also get a good feel for traditional atmosphere of the Edo period. That is why Kawagoe is nicknamed ’Little Edo’. This part of Kawagoe is full of amazing shops, restaurants and cafes. Here, visitors can walk around enjoying some retail therapy, the great street food on offer, rest in one of the many cosy cafes or even sample Kawagoe’s own craft beer. Many visitors like to rent kimono for the day to feel closer to the traditional atmosphere. The most famous part of the old town is the Kurazukuri buildings! These are old merchant storehouses and shops and have a very distinct style. These are some of the most popular buildings in all of Kawagoe, and you will find many visitors stopping to admire them and photograph them
4 / Kawagoe Flatland Castle and Honmaru Palace
When many people think of castles in Japan, they think of the multi story towering structures. However, Kawagoe Castle and 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. 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!
5 / Shop for Sweet Treats at ‘Candy Alley’
Candy Alley or ‘Kashiya Yokocho’ as it’s known in Japanese, is an historic and quaint street famous for its traditional Japanese sweets. Many locals and children love it for its nostalgic atmosphere, and as a comforting reminder of past sweets that are still highly popular today. Candy Alley dates back to the late Edo period, and soon flourished as a hub for sweet making. The street became an economic powerhouse supplying affordable and delicious sweets to the nearby Tokyo after WW2. Today, visitors can enjoy the historic architecture both inside and outside of the local shops with many being family run for decades passing down traditional sweet making traditions. When you visit, make sure to purchase sweets such as rice crackers, hard boiled candies, Manju, Dagashi and sweet potato based treats which are very famous in Kawagoe. Candy Alley is located adjacent to the ‘Old Town’ and Main Street of Kawagoe.
6 / Toki no Tori Bell Tower
Toki no Tori is Kawagoe’s most famous landmark. It is so famous, you will see it on tourism promotion, vending machines, man hole covers and many souvenirs in the area. The bell tower is a symbol of Kawagoe’s Edo period and rich heritage. It was constructed in the early 17th Century by the Sakai clan, the ruling lords of Kawagoe at the time. The tower you see today dates back to 1894 as the original tower was sadly lost in a great fire that devastated much of Kawagoe in 1893. The bell tower was used for keeping time for the local community, and chimed at 6, 12, 3 and 6. You can still hear it chiming today at the same times, and the sound is designated as one of Japan’s 100 Soundscapes celebrating its remarkable history and importance. The bell towers lays adjacent to the ‘Old Town’ area and just off from the Main Street of Kawagoe.
7 / Kawagoe City Museum
For all the history buffs out there, a visit to Kawagoe would not be complete without visiting the Kawagoe City Museum. If you want a great overview and context of Kawagoe and its history, then this museum will is the place to go. The museum is located very close to the Flatland Castle and Honmaru Palace. Making it a great activity to do either before or after visiting the castle. The museum showcases Kawagoe’s history from prehistoric times through to modern day. It preserves amazing artefacts and documents from various time periods, and even has larger scale replicas of traditional warehouses, historic structures and festival floats. To reach the museum, it will take around 20 minutes from Kawagoe station.
8/ Kawagoe Matsuri Museum
The Kawagoe Matsuri Museum is another fantastic place to visit to gain a deeper understanding of Kawagoe’s rich heritage. The museum is dedicated to the history and tradition of the famous Kawagoe Festival which dates back over 360 years ago when it was established as a festival for nearby Hikawa shrine. This festival is a large scale event which has been celebrated for centuries. The festival is famous for its large and ornate festival floats, dancing and music. The Japanese ‘Matsuri’ is now considered a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Visitors can enjoy seeing some of the life sized floats which are beautifully decorated and will amaze visitors. You can also see other historical artefacts including costumes and instruments, and enjoy an informative film demonstrating what the festival is like. The festival is held annually in October, so make sure to look for details of the upcoming event if you want to plan your visit around it. The museum is very easy to locate as it is on the Main Street in the ‘Old Town’ area of Kawagoe.
9 / Try Local Beer and Sake
If after all your exploring and shopping you feel a little thirsty, then why not try the local craft beer and sake that Kawagoe has to offer! Kawagoe has its own local beer brewery called ‘Coedo’, meaning ‘Little Edo’ in Japanese. Coedo is famous for its ‘Shikkoku’ (black lager) and ‘Kyara’ (Indian Pale Ale), but most famous of all is its ‘Beniaka’. This is a lager made from sweet potatoes, Kawagoe’s most famous food! The beer has a lovely amber colour and is a must try for beer fans. You can sample and buy Coedo from many of the local shops, and there is also the Coedo Brewery Restaurant where you can enjoy local cuisine paired with special beers. For those wanting to try a more traditional and historic drink, Kawagoe has great options for Sake. Local breweries such as ‘Matsumoto Shuzo’ established in 1851 offers a traditional experience where you can do Sake tasting and sample freshly brewed Sake. Another great option located not far from the ‘Old Town’ area is Kawagoe Kurari. This is a popular market located inside of a restored Meiji period brewery. The market offers a wide selection of sake not only from Kawagoe but from Saitama prefecture. Visitors can enjoy tasting sets, as well as local snacks and dishes to pair with your drinks.
10 / Rent a Kimono or Yukata
For many visitors to Japan and Tokyo, being able to wear the traditional dress of the Kimono or Yukata is a once in a lifetime experience, and we highly recommend you give it a try together! There is a plethora of Kimono and Yukata rental shops across Kawagoe which offer reasonable fees for anything from few hours to a whole day rental. You can browse a wide selection of beautiful patterns and colours, and choose your favourite. Many locals love to do this together on their weekends or for special occasions such as festivals. Most of the time, these rental shops will also include accessories, hair styling and makeup for women in the rental price meaning you will look very authentic after your transformation. Kimono is most popular in the cooler seasons, and Yukata is most popular in the Summer due to its lighter fabric and less layers. So keep the seasons in mind when you decide to try this experience. Why not book an early appointment, and then come and join our Kawagoe tour where we explore traditional Kawagoe together!
BEST TOURS IN TOKYO
Nearby to Narita, the city of Tokyo is steeped in history. The city has faced many hardships from earthquakes, fires and the air raids of WW2, and unfortunately many of its oldest buildings and structures have disappeared over time. However, Tokyo does a fantastic job at celebrating and retaining much of its character and culture, with stunning renovations of temples and shrines, museums housing some of Japan’s finest artefacts, and hidden pockets of neighbourhoods that have managed to preserve its original architecture despite the many challenges its faced. Pop culture lovers will rejoice at Japan’s modern aesthetic, with its bright lights and neon signs that make the city glow at night. There is so much to see and do in Tokyo, especially fantastic hands on experiences to make your trip extra special. Check out our ’Best Tours in Tokyo’ page which will give you more information on the tours mentioned in the previous section, as well as the best tours in Tokyo and the best day trips from Tokyo throughout the Kanto region.
THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO
This page would not be complete without also suggesting our wider recommendations on things to do in nearby Tokyo which includes both the golden tourist attractions and some lesser known activities you can enjoy. Why not check out Things to Do in Tokyo page which will also give you plenty of inspiration for your time spent in Tokyo. Here you will find some of the best activities and recommendations on how to spend your time in the Capital, as well as some tours that you can join to make the most out of your trip!
From watching Sumo wrestlers train to eating the freshest sushi at local markets, playing Taiko drums to exploring hidden shrines and temples, Tokyo truly has it all. Our Tokyo tours enable you to pick and choose from a wide range of areas and activities to explore during your trip. Want to explore lesser known neighbourhoods in Tokyo, or do you want to get into the hustle and bustle of the world’s most populated city, then click the link above and start exploring what you can do in Tokyo to make your trip unforgettable.
THE BEST DAY TRIPS AND GETAWAYS FROM TOKYO
If you want to enjoy more hands on experiences across Japan, why not check out our 30 Things To Do Near Tokyo: The Best Day-Trips & Getaways From The Capital page! This page will give you more information and inspiration on what excursion day trips, overnight stays and multi day trips you could do outside of Tokyo. You could be enjoying a tea experience in a bamboo forest, feeding Koi Carp at a temple, praying at a world famous temples or have a go at throwing clay pottery on top of a mountain to bring good fortune!
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING TOKYO
There is no shortage of accommodation in Tokyo ranging from luxury hotels, mid-range to budget, youth hostels and even capsule hotels! The areas of Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo are among the most popular with tourists, all of which have excellent public transport links, shopping, bars and restaurants. Therefore they make excellent bases for a short stay in the city. Check out our Tokyo destination page which includes everything you need to know about the city, and our ‘Where to Stay in Tokyo’ page for what areas to book your hotels and find the right accommodation for you.