Discover Kawagoe: Day Trip to ‘Old Tokyo’

@Tokyo Cheapo

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Explore Kawagoe, known as "Little Edo," for a day trip from Tokyo to experience Edo-period architecture, unique shrines, and local sweet potato treats.

1 plan · 11 places · 2 experiences

Plan · 9 places · Kawagoe, Japan

A Day Trip to Kawagoe: Little Edo Exploration

“Kawagoe is affectionately known as "Little Edo" because it has preserved the Edo-period ambiance quite well. It's only a 30-minute train ride from Ikebukuro and about an hour from Shinjuku, making it a super accessible day trip from Tokyo to see old-fashioned buildings and experience a different side of Japan.”

1
Hikawa Shrine
Shinto shrine · Kawagoe
4.3 (14,305)Closed · opens tomorrow 8 AM
Creator's voice
A historic shrine built in the 6th century, known for its unique ema tunnel of wishes and sweet potato fortunes. It's about a 10-minute bus ride from Kawagoe Station and hosts various events throughout the year, like the Tanabata Festival and a school bag purification ceremony.
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, 2 Chome-１１-3 Miyashitamachi, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0052, Japan
- Ema tunnel — An Instagrammable spot made up of thousands of ema (wooden prayer plaques) where people write and hang their wishes. It's crazy to think how many wishes have been hung here since the 6th century.
Experience here
Get a sweet potato fortune at Hikawa Shrine
At Hikawa Shrine, you can get a unique sweet potato fortune for 300 yen. Use the provided scoop or stick tool to pick one out. I got a 'Chu-kichi' (middle kichi), which is one of the better ranks! It's one of the most original omikujis I've ever seen, and they also have fish-shaped ones.
Sweet potato fortune (Yak Imo Omikuji) · ¥300 — A unique omikuji shaped like a sweet potato, costing 300 yen. You use a tool to pick it, then pull a red string to reveal your fortune inside. I got 'Chu-kichi', a good rank!
2
Shingashi River
river · Kawagoe
Kawagoe is a Japanese city northwest of Tokyo. An Edo-period castle town, it’s known for its old clay warehouses and merchant homes, called Kurazukuri. Traditional Japanese sweet shops line Meiji-era Candy Alley. Kita-in, a major Buddhist temple, features remnants of the former Edo Castle. On the temple grounds are the Gohyaku Rakan group of more than 500 stone statues of Buddha’s disciples.
Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan
3
Kumano Shrine
Shinto shrine · Kawagoe
4.3 (4,537)Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Creator's voice
A shrine with an interesting stone walkway designed to stimulate acupuncture points on your feet. It also offers unique omikuji based on blood types.
Kawagoe Kumano Shrine, １７-1 Renjakucho, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0066, Japan
- Blood type omikuji — A unique fortune-telling experience where you can get an omikuji specifically for your blood type. Japanese people love talking about blood types, so this is a fun, quirky offering.
Experience here
Stimulate your acupuncture points on the stone path
At Kumano Shrine, I found a little walkway of small stones designed to stimulate the acupuncture points on your soles. You take your shoes off and walk barefoot. It's more painful than it looks, especially on the parts with larger pebbles, but it's supposed to be good for you!
4
Kashiya Yokocho
Tourist attraction · Kawagoe
3.9 (9,654)Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Creator's voice
Also known as Candy Alley, this street used to be famous for dagashi-ya (inexpensive Japanese treats for children). Now, it's a charming, old-school area with cobblestone floors, offering a variety of traditional Japanese snacks and street foods.
Kashiya Yokocho, 2 Chome-１１-3 Motomachi, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0062, Japan
- Kawagoe Hojicha Sweet Potato Latte · ¥150 — A unique autumn and winter exclusive drink featuring a thick layer of sweet potato paste at the bottom, mixed with hojicha. It's not overly sweet, relying on the natural sweetness of the potato. You can add rum for an extra 150 yen.
- Satsuma Ame — A traditional sweet potato candy made with only three natural ingredients. It's sweet but not excessively so, reflecting the natural flavors of the satsumaimo (sweet potato) that Kawagoe is famous for.
5
Kurazukuri Street
Store · Kawagoe
4.7 (88)
Creator's voice
Considered Kawagoe's main street, it's wide and features many Edo-period style buildings. You'll find a mix of sweet and savory street food stalls, with more savory options than Kashiya Yokocho. It's the perfect place to see the preserved old architecture.
Kurazukuri Street, Saitama Prefectural Rd 12, Saiwaichō, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0063, Japan
6
Toki no Kane
Tourist attraction · Kawagoe
4.0 (9,947)Closed
Creator's voice
The "Time Bell Tower" is a significant landmark in Kawagoe, first built in the 17th century and rebuilt after a fire in 1893. It rings four times a day at 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM.
Toki no Kane, １５-7 Saiwaicho, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0063, Japan
7
Chopstick Workshop
Wood working class · Kawagoe
4.8 (182)Open · until 5 PM
Wood Works Kawagoe, １４-3 Saiwaicho, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0063, Japan
8
Kawagoe Tamagoyaki Shop
Unagi restaurant · Kawagoe
4.4Closed · opens tomorrow 11 AM
Traditional-look venue with wooden beams for Japanese eel grilled over charcoal & served with rice.
Japanese Restaurant Unagi Hayashiya Kawagoe Store, ２-4 Nakacho, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0065, Japan
- Nori Mentai-Mayo Tamagoyaki · ¥300 — A dashi-filled steamed egg roll (tamagoyaki) topped with seaweed, fish eggs, and mayonnaise. It's served warm, packed with umami from the dashi, and costs 300 yen. A delicious specialty to try.
9
Showa Vibe Shopping Street
Tourist attraction · Kawagoe
4.3Closed
Classic Edo Period (1603-1867) warehouse buildings still line this bustling street.
Ichibangai Shotengai, Saiwaicho, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0063, Japan

Also in this video

10
Koedo Bus
Transport hub · Kawagoe
3.7 (470)
Kawagoe Station, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan
11
Kawagoe Station
Train station · Kawagoe
3.8 (3,862)
Creator's voice
The main transportation hub for Kawagoe, offering convenient access to Tokyo. It's a 30-minute train ride from Ikebukuro and about an hour from Shinjuku.
Kawagoe Station, Wakitahonchō, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-1123, Japan

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