Kawagoe, known as “Little Edo,” is located northwest of Tokyo. It’s a quaint town that has an ambiance which resembles Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1867).
Day Trip Itinerary for Kawagoe, Japan
Time from Tokyo
30-minute train ride from Ikebukuro Station
Tokyo to Kawagoe by Train
Take the Limited Express Train on the Tobu-Tojo Line from Ikebukuro Station to Kawagoe Station.
It’s about a 30-minute walk from Kawagoe Station to Kurazukuri no Machinami, Kawagoe’s main street, so we took a taxi. Busses are also available.
Things to Do
Kurazukuri no Machinami / Warehouse District
Kurazukuri no Machinami is Kawagoe’s main street, which is lined with traditional clay-walled buildings that are now shops, restaurants, cafes, and souvenir stores.
Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower)
The Toki no Kane Bell Tower, which was built during the Edo period, is Kawagoe’s iconic landmark. It chimes four times a day at 6 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 6 pm.
Kameya Eisen
Kameya Eisen, a Japanese Confectionery Shop, is a great place to shop for omiyage (souvenirs / gifts for friends, family, and colleagues as a token of appreciation and gratitude).
Starbucks Coffee
The Starbucks in Kawagoe provides a relaxing ambience with indoor and outdoor seating.
Miffy Storehouse Kitchen & Bakery
Miffy Storehouse Kitchen & Bakery is a cute store with all kinds of houseware items and pastries.
Koedo Osatsusan
Stop by at Koedo Osatsusan for some crispy sweet potato chips. You can also find these chips at other snack shops along Kurazukuri no Machinami.
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Hikawa Shrine is a Shinto Shrine that features the Omikuji Fishing Ponds, Ema Tunnel, pinwheels, and summer wind chimes. Grab a pole and catch your fish shaped fortune in one of the Omikuji ponds. Each fortune costs ¥300. If you like your fortune, keep it. If you don’t, be sure to tie it in the designated area to prevent the bad fortune from following you home. Before walking through the Ema Tunnel, purchase a wooden prayer board, called ema, to write your wishes on. There is a table where they provide a certain type of pen for you to use to write on the boards. Once you are done, you can tie your board in the tunnel.
It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from Kurazukuri no Machinami to Hikawa Shrine. Since the weather was very hot when we visited (in September), we decided to take a taxi, which took about 5 minutes.
From Hikawa Shrine, we took a 10-minute bus ride back to Kurazukuri no Machinami to do a little more shopping, then took a 15-minute bus ride back to Kawagoe Station.
We had a quick and delicious lunch at Italian Dining DONA EQUiA Kawagoe before leaving Kawagoe. EQUiA is a shopping mall located at Kawagoe Station. You will find retail shops, specialty stores, and restaurants.
Before leaving Kawagoe Station, pick up some dango to take back with you. It was so soft and delicious!
For more places to visit in Japan, click the “Explore Japan” link below!
Happy Travels!
BK Travel Collage 