Kawagoe

Top Things to do

• Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

  Saitama Pref. Kawagoeshi Miyashitamachi 2-11

  Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is said to be over 1,500 years old. The main deity venerated here is Susanoo-no-Mikoto, often worshiped as the god of harmonious families, matrimonial happiness and matchmaking. One popular item is the charm for forming good relationships, made to resemble the red thread that represents the power of the god of matchmaking.

• Kitain Temple

  Saitama Pref. Kawagoeshi Kosembamachi 1-20-1

  Boasting a 1200-year history, Kitain Temple is a National Designated Important Cultural Property that houses several valuable Cultural Properties. In addition to ordinary worship and visits to the main temple building, it also puts on occasional exhibitions of its treasures, which make available to visitors the precious items it has kept throughout its long history. The souvenir shop within its precincts was opened in 1972 and is well known as the first temple-based souvenir shop for tourists within the city limits of Kawagoe.

• Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Shop Alley)

  Saitama Pref. Kawagoeshi Motomachi 2-7

  Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Shop Alley) was selected as one of Japan’s “Top 100 Scent Scapes” by the Ministry of the Environment in 2001. It was originally set up to make and offer inexpensive sweets for heavily damaged Tokyo after the Great Kanto Earthquake, and there are still more than 20 shops in operation. The cheap downtown style sweets they sell have many fans.

• Time Bell Tower

  Saitama Pref. Kawagoeshi Saiwaichou 15-7

  A historic structure situated along Kanetsuki-dori Street in Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City. The tower was originally built some 400 years ago by Sakai Tadakatsu, then the lord of what was Kowagoe Domain. The tower was destroyed by fires and rebuilt many times; the current tower was rebuilt after it was destroyed in the Great Kawagoe Fire in the Meiji period. The tower's bell still rings out four times a day to announce the time and this sound has been selected by the Ministry of the Environment for inclusion of its list of 100 Soundscapes of Japan.

• Ichibangai Kurazukuri-no-machinami historic street

  Saitama ken Kawagoe city

  "Ichibangai Kurazukuri-no-machinami historic street is located around 10 minutes' walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. With just over 30 Kurazukuri warehouse-style buildings lining the road, this area plays a very important role in the preservation of traditional architecture. The Kurazukuri buildings are one of the most important tourist attractions in Kawagoe (which came to be known as ""Little Edo"" because of its prosperity). The oldest of the Kurazukuri buildings is the Osawa House, which was constructed in 1792 and has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Visitors to this area can also view the ""Toki-no-kane"" (Time Bell Tower)-which has become a symbol of Kawagoe-from close to; more than a century after it was constructed, the bell-tower continues to tell the time through the ringing out of the bell four times a day. The branch of Saitama Resona Bank located halfway down the street is an old Western-style building that perfectly matches the historic ambience of the area."

• Kawagoe Aquatic Park

  Saitama Pref. Kawagoeshi Ikenobe 880

  Nine pools including water slides, a wading river, and a diving pool are all on the expansive site of the Kawagoe Aquatic Park. There is a small slide in the kiddie pool too, providing lots of fun for kids and grownups alike. A barbecue area is also available, and its autumn to spring fishing pool makes the park popular year-round.

• Koedo Kawagoe Tourist Association

  Saitama Pref. Kawagoeshi Motomachi 1-15-8

  "Koedo Kawagoe Tourist Association office is located at the northern end of the Ichibangai Kurazukuri-no-machinami historic street. The office is houses in a two-story retro-style brick building; the tourist office on the 1st floor has a range of pamphlets and maps available, and provides tourist information services. Near Koedo Kawagoe Tourist Association office are streets lined with traditional Kurazukuri warehouse-style buildings, Toki-no-kane bell-tower (which has become a symbol of Kawagoe), Kashiya Yokocho (""Penny Candy Lane""), which has 20 or so traditional confectionery stores, and other famous tourist spots. Reflecting Kawagoe's status as a ""city made for wearing a kimono,"" on the eighth, 18th and 28th days of every month there are special events to encourage visitors to stroll around Kawagoe while wearing a kimono."

• Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace

  Saitama Pref. Kawagoeshi Kuruwamachi 2-13-1

  A historic structure located in 2-Chome Kuruwa-machi, Kawagoe City. The palace was built in 1848 by Matsudaira Naritsune, then lord of Kawagoe Domain. Today, the palace's entranceway and reception hall as well as the transplanted and restored chief retainer's office are the only original parts of Kawagoe Castle which still stand today. The palace is used as a museum containing exhibits on Kawagoe Domain. Visitors can purchase a joint museum pass which also grants access to the nearby Kawagoe City Museum and Kawagoe City Art Museum.

• Kawagoe Onsen

  Saitama Pref. Kawagoeshi Kaminodamachi 41-7

  A hot spring bathhouse located in Kaminodamachi, Kawagoe City. The bathhouse has two bathing areas-the Ki no Yu and the Ishi no Yu -and which is the men's and which is the women's alternates daily. Between these two areas, the bathhouse has nine varieties of baths and three varieties of saunas, and visitors can bath in hot spring waters kept at five different temperature zones. The bathhouse also has a body care facility, hair salon, rest area, and restaurant.