15 Must-Do Activities in Kawagoe! Enjoy Japanese History and Culture in a Charming Historical Town!

There are several theories as to why Kawagoe is referred to as “Koedo” (Little Edo).
One theory centers around Kawagoe Castle and its surrounding castle town.
Built in 1457, Kawagoe Castle experienced several changes in ownership due to wars, eventually coming under the control of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo Shogunate.
After the establishment of the shogunate in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Kawagoe became the closest castle town to Edo and served as a key defensive position on the northern side of Edo Castle.
As a result, Kawagoe Castle was governed by several prominent figures of the Edo Shogunate.
Additionally, Kawagoe prospered as a supply center, not only due to its easy access to Edo via overland routes, but also because goods could be transported by river.
This prosperity led to the name “Koedo Kawagoe.”
Another theory suggests that the name comes from Kawagoe’s kurazukuri streetscape, which evokes the atmosphere of the Edo period, and its dashi (festival floats) festival, influenced by the grand Edo Tenka Festival.
Incidentally, parts of Kawagoe Castle, including the Honmaru Goten (main residence), are still standing and were selected as one of the Top 100 Castles in Japan in 2006.

The best times to visit Kawagoe are in spring and autumn.
The mild weather makes it perfect for a leisurely stroll around town.
It’s also a great time to wear a kimono without worrying about it being too hot or cold.
Additionally, the Kawagoe Festival is held every year on the third Sunday of October and the Saturday before.
This lively event, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, features impressive dashi floats and traditional festival music.

It takes about one hour to get to Kawagoe Station from Tokyo Station by train.
With just one transfer, getting there is relatively easy.
From Haneda Airport, it takes just under two hours by train.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is a historic shrine that is said to have been built around 1500 years ago. The main shrine features elaborate engravings, and it has been designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
The 5 kami (Shinto gods) enshrined here form a family, and as such they are worshipped as kami related to family harmony, marital happiness, and marriage.

Kawagoe is only about an hour away from the center of Tokyo, and it is a city where you can enjoy the quaint streets. One of the most famous tourist landmarks in this city is the Bell of Time. It is a landmark with a striking presence in the street lined with old-fashioned warehouses.
The bell rings four times a day at 6:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. The bell is a three-story wooden tower about 16 meters high.

Kawagoe is a little Edo（koedo） with a historic streetscape made of storehouses. There are many shrines and temples, and many picturesque photo spots. Kimonos look great in these streets. If you're planning to visit Kawagoe, the "Kimono Dressing Experience" is highly recommended! The scene of you walking around town in a kimono is photogenic! You will surely be able to take a perfect picture to commemorate your trip.

A famous temple of the Tendai sect, founded by Jikaku Daishi in 830. In the early Edo period (1603-1700), the famous high monk Tenkai was the chief priest of this temple.
The temple has many cultural assets, including buildings related to the third shogun, Iemitsu Tokugawa, and Lady Kasuga, which were moved from Edo Castle.

Kawagoe Matsuri Kaikan is a facility that introduces the history and highlights of the Kawagoe Festival, one of the three major festivals held in Saitama every October. The building has two floors. On the first floor, you can see how the festival is prepared and the thoughts of the people involved.

Kawagoe, known as "Little Edo," thrived as a castle town and still retains the ambiance of the Edo period in its popular streetscapes. Kawagoe Castle was crucial as the northern defense of Edo.
Originally, it is believed to have been built in 1457 by Ota Doshin and Dokan, retainers of the Muromachi-period warlord Uesugi Mochitomo.

Located on the site of the secondary enclosure of the former Kawagoe Castle, the municipal museum is notable for its gabled, tiled roof and white plastered walls, reminiscent of storehouse construction. Inside, the museum displays materials related to the long history of Kawagoe, which prospered as a castle town during the Edo period. The exhibits, spanning from primitive and ancient times to the modern era, allow visitors to explore the changes in Kawagoe over the centuries.

Located between Hon-Kawagoe Station and the warehouse-style streets, Renkeiji is a Jodo sect temple with origins in the Muromachi period. During the Edo period, under the devout Buddhist Tokugawa Shogunate, it was recognized as one of the "Kanto Juuhachidanrin," a prestigious Buddhist study center, and was permitted to display the Tokugawa hollyhock crest. The principal image is an Amitabha Buddha statue from the Kamakura period.

This shrine, affectionately known as "Okumansama" by locals, was established in 1590 from the division of the Kishu Kumano Hongu Taisha during the Muromachi period. It is known for its blessings of good fortune, with numerous lucky spots within its precincts, including the "Fortune-Trying Ring Toss" and the "Treasure Pond," where visitors wash money for increased wealth.

It is said to have been founded in 1030 (Chogen 3rd year) by Minamoto no Yorinobu, the Governor of Kai, during the reign of Emperor Go-Ichijo, the 68th emperor of Japan.

Among the Toshogu shrines dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu across the country, Senba Toshogu is considered one of the three great Toshogu shrines, alongside Nikko Toshogu, where Ieyasu's remains rest, and Kunozan Toshogu, the first of its kind. It was established in 1633 (the 10th year of the Kan'ei era), following a four-day memorial service held by the high priest Tenkai at the adjacent Kita-in Temple during the transfer of Ieyasu's remains.

Since its establishment in the 4th year of the Bunka era (1807) during the late Edo period, this renowned store has been devoted exclusively to eel. Even after transitioning through six eras - Edo, Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa - the store continues to be celebrated for its exquisitely grilled eels, each piece cooked with meticulous care, just as in the past.

In the historic warehouse district of Koedo Kawagoe, the Starbucks on Bell Street, located along a cobblestone path by the towering "Time Bell," is one of the "Regional Landmark Stores" that showcases the culture and allure of various regions in Japan.

Kawagoe Bakery Rakuraku is located near the entrance to Kashiya Yokocho, a popular tourist spot in Koedo Kawagoe. The bakery, with its façade reminiscent of traditional Kawagoe townhouses, sells unique breads made primarily with domestically sourced ingredients.

"Kawagoe," which thrived as a crucial point for transporting food such as rice and vegetables to Edo using the "Shingashi River," still retains its historical charm. The town is lined with traditional storehouses, preserving the vibes of yesteryears. Owing to these traces of the past, it's fondly referred to as the modern-day Little Edo.

Located just off Takazawa Street, this narrow, 80-meter long cobblestone alley is a popular tourist spot in Kawagoe. Both sides of the alley are lined with quaint candy shops, creating an atmosphere that has earned it a spot in the Ministry of the Environment's "Top 100 Fragrant Landscapes."

This complex facility utilizes the site of the old Kagamiyama Brewery, a sake brewery established in 1875 and representative of Kawagoe. It aims to facilitate interaction between locals and tourists and revitalizes the region, while broadly introducing Kawagoe's specialties and local products.

Nestled in the charming streets of Kawagoe, this shopping street exudes a retro ambiance reminiscent of the Taisho era. The street stretches for 160 meters, paved with granite cobblestones, flanked by tiled-roof townhouses, Western-style stone buildings, and traditional storehouses.