Kawagoe: Little Edo Just Outside Tokyo
How to visit Kawagoe, the old merchant town near Tokyo: clay-walled warehouses, the Bell of Time, candy alley, sweet potatoes and getting there.
Quick answer
- What it is: a historic castle town in Saitama, nicknamed Little Edo.
- Famous for: kurazukuri warehouses with thick clay walls and the Toki no Kane bell tower.
- Entry: free to walk around.
- Time needed: half a day.
- Best time: weekday mornings, or the Kawagoe Festival in October.
Kawagoe's main street is lined with heavy black warehouses that look like they belong in old Tokyo. In fact they survive here because old Edo's were lost to fires and earthquakes, making Kawagoe a window into the past.
Why Kawagoe is a wonder
Kawagoe thrived in the Edo period by supplying goods to the capital by river. Its merchants built kurazukuri, storehouses with thick fireproof clay walls, after a great fire in 1893.
The wooden bell tower, Toki no Kane, has told the time here for centuries. Today it still rings four times a day.
Sweets and sweet potatoes
Kashiya Yokocho, or candy alley, is a narrow lane of shops selling old-fashioned sweets.
Kawagoe is famous for sweet potatoes, served as chips, ice cream, cakes and even beer.
What to see
| Spot | What you see | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Kurazukuri street | Black clay warehouses along the main road | 45 minutes |
| Toki no Kane | The old wooden bell tower | 10 minutes |
| Kashiya Yokocho | A lane of traditional sweet shops | 30 minutes |
| Kitain | A temple with 500 stone Rakan statues | 45 minutes |
| Hikawa Shrine | A shrine famous for prayers for marriage | 30 minutes |
When to go
- Weekday mornings: quieter streets before the crowds.
- October: the Kawagoe Festival with ornate floats.
- Summer: wind chimes decorate Hikawa Shrine.
- Autumn: sweet potato season.
Our tip: Look for the Toki no Kane at 6am, noon, 3pm or 6pm, when the bell rings out over the old town.
Getting there
- From Tokyo: the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro reaches Kawagoe in about 30 minutes.
- From Shinjuku: the Seibu Shinjuku Line runs to Hon-Kawagoe in about 45 minutes.
- In town: a loop bus links the stations with the old warehouse district.
Good manners
- Do not eat while walking on crowded streets.
- Take rubbish with you, as bins are few.
- Keep to the pavement, as the main street has traffic.
- Respect quiet temple grounds.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Kawagoe called Little Edo?
Its old warehouses recall the look of Edo, old Tokyo, which was mostly lost.
How do you get to Kawagoe from Tokyo?
Take the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro, about 30 minutes.
When does the Kawagoe bell ring?
Four times a day, at 6am, noon, 3pm and 6pm.
Is Kawagoe a good day trip from Tokyo?
Yes. It is close and easy to explore in half a day.
Okunoshima
A small island where hundreds of wild rabbits hop out to greet the ferry.
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