Kawagoe sits in Saitama Prefecture which lies directly above Tokyo. But don’t worry, it’s an easy and short trip out depending on what part of Tokyo you leave from. The easiest way is from Ikebukuro Station which is on the major JR Line. At Ikebukuro Station, transfer onto the Tobu Tojo Line. On this line it’s only about 3 stops away! Nice and simple. Kawagoe is also accessible from Shibuya and Shinjuku. Get onto the Fukutoshin Line. The Fukutoshin Line will change into the Tobu Tojo which is straight shot to Kawagoe. It might take an extra 30 minutes but it’s still doable.

Once you arrive at Kawagoe Station, you can go to the Tourist Info Center to ask for a one day bus pass on the Tobu Bus Lines. This can be used on any Tobu Bus and Koedo Loop Bus. Because Kawagoe does not have many trains, you’ll get around town by either the two buses or by foot. It’s definitely walk-able, especially if you’re looking for some exercise!

We recommend taking a look at Kitain Temple and then Hikawa Shrine first. These two will be easier to access by bus. From Kawagoe Station, take the bus to Kitain Temple. Then, from Kitain Temple, take the bus to Shinmeicho Shako bus stop for Hikawa Shrine. From Hikawa Shrine it’s a short walk to to Kurazukuri Street - the main attraction of Kawagoe. At Kurazukuri you can explore Candy Alley, Kanetsuki Street and Taisho Roman Dori. From here you can either take the bus back to Kawagoe Station or walk back. It’s approximately a 15-20 minute walk back.

Remember Kawagoe is a full day trip out from Tokyo. It’s not far, but make sure to arrive early (not too early or else the stores won’t be open!) to make sure you can explore this beautiful town without rushing. You can also speak to the friendly English speaking staff at the Tourist info Center at Kawagoe Station for more information and questions you may have.

 

Adjacent to the main Kurazukuri Street sits Candy Alley - a street filled with many shops selling snacks, sweets, rice crackers, ice cream, Japanese cakes and Kawagoe’s famous sweet potato snacks/desserts. There are also shops selling toys and souvenirs. After the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake there was massive fall in sweets supply in Japan. As a response, orders at Candy Alley surged. At that time, over 70 stores existed in the street. Now, about 20 still remain. It has maintained the same nostalgic feeling and serves as a great place to experience traditional Japanese snacks and sweets.

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

Address: 2 Chome Motomachi, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0062

Hours: Stores are typically open around 10am - 5pm

Website: Click Here

How to get there: A short walk from the main Kurazukuri street

 

Both these streets are close and actually branch out from the main Kurazukuri Street. Kanetsuki Street is famous for their old clock tower that was constructed in the early 1600s (reconstructed several times) which chimes at 6am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm. It is considered as one of the Best 100 sounds of Japan. A long this road you can find many popular food stands. You can even find a Starbucks in the the form of an old traditional building!

On Taisho Roman Dori, there are roughly 30 stores lined up on 200 meters of streets designed from the Taisho period (1912-1926). Some of the stores has been in business for over 100 years! It lies directly between Kurazukuri Street and Hon-Kawagoe Station if you’re looking to check it out on the way to the station.

Photo Credit: Matcha JP

Address: N/A

Hours: Stores are typically open around 10am - 8pm

Website: N/A

How to get there: From Kawagoe Station, take the Tobu Bus to Kurazuki Street

 

This famous street in Kawagoe looks like a street that would be used in an old Edo-era (1603-1868) film. Kurazukuri literally means warehouse styled buildings (clay walled). Formally an old commercial town supplying resources to Edo (now Tokyo), the merchants in the area grew wealthy enough to build their own warehouses, but also their own stores in the same kurazukuri style which was unusual to other places. Some of the buildings remain to this day, and now the streets are lined up in this old warehouse styled buildings. They are now occupied with many shops and restaurants.

Photo Credit: Travel Blog

Address: 7-9 Saiwaicho, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0063

Hours: Most shops are open from 10am - 8pm

Website: N/A

How to get there: It’s a 15 minute walk from Hikawa Shrine. From Kawagoe Station you can take the Tobu Bus as well.

 

The Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is said to have been build about 1500 years ago.
Since family gods are enshrined here, many people who want to find a good match will visit this shrine, since it is said to give blessings in “family satisfaction, perfect couples, and marriage”.
Those looking for a partner or for a happy marriage should come and visit this shrine.

An ema is a small wooden board that people write their wishes and dreams on to have them fulfilled. At the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, worshipers that write on the marriage ema hang them in the tunnel, and visitors can walk through this tunnel filled with people’s wishes and dreams.

After visiting the shrine, be sure to get an omikuji (fortune). One omikuji at this shrine is the “aitai-mikuji” which predicts your love fate. It has an unusual shape of a “tai” (sea bream fish), which is a play on words since “aitai” means you want to see someone. In Japan, the tai is seen as a good omen.

To learn more, please read this article

Love Blessing at the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine 

http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/chokotabi-saitama/eng/travelmag/06.html

Summary Credit: Saitama Prefecture Government

Address: 2-11, Miyashitamachi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama, 350-0052, Japan

Hours: 9am - 5pm

Website: https://www.kawagoehikawa.jp/

How to get there: From Kawagoe Station, take the Tobu Bus to Shinmeicho Shako

 

After a long day of walking, relax at the Tsubakiya Foot Spa Tearoom. While relaxing in a foot bath you can order some tea and snacks that come in a beautiful wooden tray. Your legs and feet will feel refreshed instantly!

Address: 3-2 Saiwaicho, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0063

Hours: 12-6:30pm (10am start on weekend and olidays)

Website: https://www.tsubaki-kura.jp/

How to get there: Get off on Kamachi Kawagoeshi Bus Stop on the Koedo Loop Bus

 

Tokyo can be a great city to explore, but taking a mini day trip from Tokyo to Kawagoe, a town in Saitama just an hour away from Tokyo can be a worthwhile experience to add to your list of things to do in Tokyo, Japan. Kawagoe is known for it’s edo period styled houses and shops, and it’s also famous for the Kita-In Buddhist Temple (喜多院）- the head temple of the Tendai Sect in the Kanto area.

Built roughly 1250 years ago, parts of the temple are parts of the former Edo Castle built in the 1600s. The halls of the edo castle were transferred into this temple in 1638 after the original structure of the temple was burned down. The third Tokugawa Shogunate ordered to move the edo castle parts in order to preserve the Kita-in temple. Today, these are one of the only remaining parts of the original Edo Castle as the the main Castle in Tokyo was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923.

Another part of the temple to visit is the Gohyaku Rakan statues. There are 540 statues of Buddhas disciples lined up, each with different facial expressions. Because each facial expression is different, it is said that you can find one that resembles you, a friend or family. It is located in a small courtyard off to the side of the temple.

Kawagoe Guide: The Tahoto or Japanese Pagoda at the temple.

Address: 1 Chome-20-1 Kosenbamachi, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0036

Hours: 9am - 4pm

Website: https://www.kawagoe.com/kitain/english/

How to get there: From Kawagoe Station, take the Tobu Koedo Loop Bus to Kitain Temple

Kawagoe Guide: 540 Buddhist Rakan Statues. These are all disciples of Buddha.

Kawagoe Guide: Rakan Statues back to back.