Just a little away from the bustling futuristic city of Tokyo, lies a historic town where the echoes of a bygone era can still be heard today. This town in Japan, where its streets are riddled with samurai-period buildings is known as Kawagoe.

Embarking on a day trip to Kawagoe is a pilgrimage through multiple centuries where you can go back to more than a thousand years and walk forward in time to the vintage days of the early 1900s. This old town is where you can discover and experience the life of those in the Edo period (1603 – 1868) with its timeline of architecture and shrines that still stand today.

And it’s not just the sight. You can also hear the bells of an old tower that has been ringing since its creation in the 1600s and never stopped to this day. With so many things to see, make sure you enjoy this post town to its fullest with the help of this Kawagoe day trip itinerary that details where you should be at what time so you can plan your day and visit every place before its closing time.

You can also hire a guide to show you all the spots in Kawagoe so you won’t miss an inch. If you’d rather do it yourself, then read through this article to equip yourself on what to see on your day trip to Kawagoe and as mentioned before, download our exclusive itinerary to help you navigate the place with ease for a full-rounded trip.

A History about Kawagoe

Kawagoe came into the map during the time of Tokugawa Ieyasu in the Edo Period (1603-1868). It was considered to be the capital of the region and was a castle town guarded by fortified walls. In its best days during the Edo Period, Kawagoe flourished as a commercial hub and became an important supply town, collecting and shipping various items.

This is how Kawagoe’s famous warehouses (known as Kurazukuri) rose into existence. To meet the demand of supply and shipping, the old town started building fire retardant warehouses to store their items. These warehouses started to reel in such profit, that the owners and merchants eventually started building shops in the Kurazukiri style. The higher their status, the more embellished the kurazukuri became.

Eventually, the buzzing business and non-stop customers helped turn the castle town into a historic post town. Post towns were rest stops for traveling merchants, samurais and feudal lords to rest and recuperate between their travel to Edo. These post towns had everything from accommodation, restaurants and more to give travelers their needed rest during their long voyage.

Kawagoe modeled itself after Edo, earning its name “Little Edo” or “Koedo” and much of its structure (especially the warehouses) from the Edo period remains today. Some even have the same businesses from over a century ago, run by descendants of the family.

Today, visitors can walk around Kawagoe, experience its past and learn about the history that made it the bustling town it is today. So, to experience this post town in its full potential, here are the things to do in Kawagoe.

Kimono Rental

Before you begin your journey in Kawagoe, rent yourself a beautiful Kimono so you can fully experience the olden days of Japan dressed in their traditional attire as the people of the era once did. And you don’t need to go out of your way to do it.

Just a 5-minute walk away from the famous Ichibangai street of Kawagoe, you can rent a kimono for discount until 4pm. This shop has both traditional and retro style kimono for men and women, making your trip to Kawagoe all the more special.

Kawagoe Warehouse District

Kawagoe Warehouse District or the Kawagoe Ichibangai Shopping Street is the heart of this small post town. With its Edo Period warehouses, called Kurazukuri, still retaining its old architecture, the street preservers its 1600s charm and throws you back into its era of samurais and lords. Thanks to its well-maintained structures of the Edo Period, Kawagoe is one of the best preserved old Japanese towns in the country.

While the Ichibangai street is called the “warehouse” district, these clay buildings are actually shops with the exterior still maintaining the original design and structure of the Edo period. The oldest of these Kurazukuri is the Osawa Family House constructed in 1792 and is still active today as a folk craft store. While the building might not be as grand as some of the other Kurazukuri, it has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property by the government.

You can become part of the Edo period by interacting with these shops through purchases and services. You can visit restaurants, snack shops or even souvenir stores to get a feel of the inside of the Kurazukuri.

Toki No Kane

Amidst the bunch of Kurazukuri shops is the Toki no Kane bell tower. Built in the 1600s by the then feudal lord, Tadakatsu Sakai, this bell tower worked as a clock, ringing four times a day during 6am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm informing the merchants as well as the travelers of the time.

Although Toki no Kane was first erected in the beginning of the Edo Period, it later caught fire and was burned during 1893. Luckily, it was reconstructed the following year and to its full restoration. While Toki no Kane has been in continuous use since the 1600s, the one that you see today is from the 1800s.

That said, it doesn’t take away from the feel of Edo and only adds to the entire experience. Not only is Kawagoe a visual treat of history but you can also reel in the sounds of the old times when the Toki No Kane strikes its echoing bell.

Kashiya Yokocho

For the sweet-tooth travelers, Kawagoe’s Candy Alley will be your paradise. Located on the north end of the warehouse district, this tiny alley has all sorts of sweets and candies for you to try or take back home for your loved ones.

The Kawagoe Candey Alley, also known as Kashiya Yokocho, became popular in the 1920s. After the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 shook all of Japan and their business, Tokyo’s sweet producers found themselves struggling to meet demands in the city. Kawagoe, being a neighboring town, stepped in to help and took on their orders. This quickly became a booming business and the old post-town opened up over 70 shops churning in sweets during their high times.

You can still visit more than a dozen of these businesses today to taste Japan’s traditional sweets amidst the ambience of the Taisho era.

Taisho Roman Street

Kawagoe might be famous for its samurai period kurazukuri road but that’s not all the street has preserved in time. After reliving the days of the sword wielders and shoguns, walk forward in time to the Taisho Era (1912-1926), a time when Japan participated in World War I.

You can experience the bygone era that bought both modernity and turmoil with its atmospheric buildings in this street. The Taisho Roman Street is only 200 meters but because it retains its vintage beauty, you’d feel like you belong to a time where flowing trained skirts, and black suites on streets were the norm.

Hikawa Shrine (Hikawa Jinja)

Tucked into the corner, a 10-minute walk away from the Ichibangai street, is a beautiful shrine that’s over 1500 years old. Hikawa Shrine is said to have five deities enshrined in its temple grounds: Susanoo no Mikoto, Kushinadahime no Mikoto, Ashinazuchi no Mikoto, Tenazuchi no Mikoto, and Oonamuchi no Mikoto.

Two of these deities are believed to be married, hence the shrine has been long regarded as a place for matrimonial happiness and for romantic wishes to come true. For this reason, the shrine gives out a matchmaking stone wrapped in a linen net by a Miko priestess which is only available for the first twenty people who visit the shrine.

If you visit the shrine at 8am in the morning, you might get your luck of bagging this stone. It’s said that if you take home this stone, you will be blessed with a good relationship for your life.

The shrine also has a beautiful ema tunnel that is worth seeking out during your visit. This tunnel is decorated with a thousand papers of wishes by its visitors and worshippers. Hikawa Jinja’s activities also include reading your fortune, walking around two massive 600 year zelkova trees and capturing gorgeous images amidst the shrine’s old Japanese style lanterns.

Kita In Temple

It might seem unassuming on the outside, but Kitain Temple is one of the most important structures in all of Japan. It’s interior holds priceless historical artifacts that make up part of the temple.

Just like the Ichibangai street, Kitain Temple has its start during the Edo Period. The temple’s then head-priest named Tenaki was a powerful individual with ties to the first three Tokugawa shogun. After the temple was destroyed in a fire in 1638, Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun, lend a helping hand in building the temple by reconstructing it with materials from his own Edo Castle.

This became a huge point in history as the Edo Castle never survived but thanks to moving parts of it to Kitain, this temple is one of the only remaining places in Japan that has helped record history by having the remains of Edo Castle in its grounds and interiors.

Kitain Temple is also popular for its 540 rakan buddhist statues. They represent the disciples of Buddha with each of them having a unique appearance. You can see a more amazing version of whimsical rakan statues (with approximately 1500 of them) at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple in Kyoto.

1901 Tea House

Want to know what sipping tea in the Taisho Era feels like? Head onto to 1901 Tea House in the Taisho Roman Street after your long walk in Kawagoe.

Just like its name, this unique cafe was a store house built in the Taisho Era, specifically during the year 1901, and was opened as a cafe to the public in 2022 after five years of restoring the old warehouse so it remains true to its original vintage look.

Travelers and visitors can have a surreal experience while sipping on traditional matcha tea along with their sweets. 1901 Tea House is famous for their tea set menu which features a combination of Japanese tea along with dessert bites. Their most popular is the season tea set that is served every two weeks.

Kawagoe Matsuri

An event that occurs once every year for one day, the Kawagoe Matsuri is a hugely celebrated event that happens in this old town annually on the third weekend of October. This festival is known as the “Float Event” festival and are held by the Hikawa Shrine during this time.

The festival originated in the Edo period and served as a gateway to unify the minds of the people and bring them together. Hence, Kawagoe Matsuri held a prominent role in politics and building organizations in local communities.

True to its origin, the festival is held the same way as it did during the 1600s with two gigantic structural floats (Andon), lanterns, music and a fight-dance. Thanks to its rich heritage and cultural importance, the festival was designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and was listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Float Festivals in Japan.

Kawagoe Ryokan

To completely experience everything that Kawagoe has to offer, we recommend staying overnight at this historic town. Just a little away from the Toki No Kane bell tower, you can stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan known as Ryokan Matsumuraya.

This Kawagoe Ryokan is famous in the town for its affordable budget, its proximity to the Kurazukuri and its typical tatami-floored rooms. The Ryokan also comes with a complimentary breakfast and all the amenities including free Wifi at the property.

How to Get to Kawagoe From Tokyo

Accessing Kawagoe from Tokyo is easily done via train from Ikebukuro station. Follow signs for the Tobu Tojo Line and take the express or semi-express train to Kawagoe station. Depending on the train and its number of stops, you can reach Kawagoe within 20 to 40 minutes.

We also recommend getting a pocket-Wi-Fi to help navigate your journey from your hotel and to make accessing Google maps and the internet much easier.

At Ikebukuro station, you can also buy a Kawagoe Discount Pass at the Tobu Tojo Line tourist information center. This pass costs around 700 yen for a round trip to and from Kawagoe to Ikebukuro and is only available to foreigners.

Plan your Kawagoe Trip with Us

Planning a trip to Kawagoe might sound daunting, especially when you have to navigate dozens of trains, buses and roads to get to your destination. Not to mention incorporating experiences like visiting tea houses and Kimono wearing in this magnificent ancient town. Now you can leave all that hassle of planning and organizing to us!

Contact atworldsorigins@gmail.com and tell us your budget and we will do the heavy work of researching and organizing your Kawagoe trip for you. We will list out the exact stations, buses, how to navigate Kawagoe and when you have to get there. All you have to do is relax and travel to Japan stress free!

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