Kawagoe — "Little Edo" Day Trip
Edo-period warehouses, traditional sweets, historic temples
Kawagoe — "Little Edo" Day Trip Locations
Itinerary
- 8:00 AM Train to Kawagoe
From Asakusa: Tobu Skytree Line to Kawagoe (~50 min, ~¥500). Or from Ikebukuro: Tobu Tojo Line (~30 min, ~¥500). Use Suica card.
- 9:00 AM Kita-in Temple
One of the most important Edo-period temples. Home to the 500 Rakan — 540 uniquely carved stone statues of Buddhist disciples, each with a different expression. The only surviving Edo Castle rooms were relocated here. Beautiful grounds.
- 10:15 AM Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten
15 min walk. One of the few surviving Edo castle palace buildings in Japan. Simple, elegant tatami rooms with painted screens. Small but atmospheric.
- 11:00 AM Kurazukuri Warehouse District
The main attraction — a full street of Edo-period clay-walled warehouses, now shops and cafes. These survived the 1893 fire that destroyed most of the town, proving their fireproof construction. Browse crafts, try samples.
- 11:30 AM Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower)
Kawagoe's symbol — a 16m wooden bell tower first built ~400 years ago. Still rings 4 times daily (6 AM, noon, 3 PM, 6 PM). Rebuilt after fires but maintains the Edo atmosphere. Great photo op.
- 12:00 PM Lunch in the Warehouse District
Kawagoe is famous for sweet potatoes (satsuma-imo). Try sweet potato tempura, sweet potato soft serve, or sweet potato chips. Also good udon and unagi (eel) restaurants in the area.
- 1:00 PM Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley)
Narrow lane of ~20 traditional sweet shops. Colorful, nostalgic, fun. Giant lollipops, rice crackers, old-fashioned dagashi candy. A few blocks from the warehouse district.
- 1:30 PM Kawagoe Festival Museum
Houses two massive festival floats from the Kawagoe Festival (held every October). Video of the festival gives you a sense of the energy. Good English signage.
- 2:30 PM Hikawa Shrine
One of Japan's most famous shrines for romance and relationships. Over 1,500 years old. In summer, famous for its tunnel of 2,000+ wind chimes. Beautiful grounds with a small stream. Draw a "tai" (sea bream) fortune by fishing from a wooden barrel.
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A unique Starbucks built in traditional Kawagoe warehouse style. Good coffee stop before heading back. Or find a local kissaten (old-school Japanese cafe).
- 4:00 PM Return to Tokyo
Same route back. ~50 min to Asakusa. Arrive with plenty of time for sento and dinner.
Tips
- Best swap for Day 4 or Day 5 — lighter museum days
- Sweet potatoes are THE thing in Kawagoe — try everything
- The warehouse district is most photogenic in afternoon light
- Much quieter on weekdays — weekends get crowded
- Kawagoe has excellent traditional craft shops if you want souvenirs