Kawagoe Complete Tour Guide

Kawagoe has a lot of historical significance and it is a perfect blend of natural beauty and Japanese heritage. Kawagoe is also known as ‘Ko-Edo’ in Japan which means ‘little Edo’. This small town has impeccably preserved the history of the Edo period, for which when you come here you may feel that you have gone back to those old days by the time travel.

How to Go

Kawagoe is in Saitama Prefecture, just 45 minutes from Tokyo’s Ikebukuro station.

Here One thing I would like to inform you that you can buy a Kawagoe discount pass from Ikebukuro station which will greatly reduce your travel cost.

So, let's look at why this city is so famous and let me tell you exactly which places not to miss at all!

No 1. Nakain Temple

Main Temple

Our very first destination is Nakain Temple which was made by a famous religious leader, Jikaku-Daishi Ennin during the Heian Period. The garden of this temple premises changes its color with the seasons and gives a pleasing experience to the visitors. Especially in the spring, the beauty of this temple is multiplied because of blooming cherry blossoms.

Entrance

This temple is also known for Kawagoe tea and Sayama tea. It is said that from the time the temple was built, Ennin brought tea leaves to the temple grounds and cultivated them as medicine. At that time, there was a tea garden inside the premises.

No 2. Kitain Temple

Kitain is one of the most beautiful and historically important temples in Kawagoe. Built 1200 years ago, it is the main temple of the Tendai sect in the Kanto region. However, under the priesthood of Tenkai in the early 17th century, the temple gained much popularity.

Main shrine

Unfortunately, a fire destroyed most of the temple in 1838 but the third Tokugawa Shogun Iemitsu ordered the relocation of several palace buildings from Edo Castle to Kawagoe to help rebuild the temple.

Currently, 500 Statues of Rakan of the kitain Temple become very popular among tourists, which is one of the three major Rakan of Japan. There are approximately 540 stone buddhas that mostly express human emotions. 

Many historical buildings of the Kitain Temple are associated with Edo Castle is now recognized as an important cultural asset. This temple looks very beautiful during springtime. 

No 3. Narita san

This temple is located a short distance from Kitain and was found by a farmer Teruon Ishikawa at the end of the Edo period. He lost his eyesight and tried to commit suicide. He was unsuccessful three times. Therefore, after the third attempt, he believed it was a sign from the Gods and became a priest and surprisingly regained his sight. This small temple can be visited for a few moments.

No 4. Hikawa Shrine

Undoubtedly one of the most interesting and very ancient shrines in Kawagoe is this shrine. It is said that Kawagoe’s Hikawa Shrine was built about 1,500 years ago during the Kofun period. Basically, five pillars of gods are enshrined at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 

However, the interesting thing is that the five deities worshiped in this temple are actually a family and there are two married couples who are worshiped as ‘God of Family Harmony’ and God of Marriage’. That is why many couples are seen getting married in this temple every year. If you’re lucky, you might as well get to see a bride wearing a shiromuku, (a wedding white kimono.)

Every day many worshippers come here to pray for good luck, love, and happiness for their family and married life.

In addition to prayer, there are other interesting things like the ‘hitogata nagashi’ ritual or walking under the Tunnel of Ema, or fishing for luck. Hitogata means paper human and hitogata nagashi means sending off human-shaped washi paper that you need to rub on yourself and then release it into a small river. It is said that this ritual can cleanse one’s sin and purify the soul. Walking under the tunnel of Ema (wooden wish charms/ amulets) can fulfill your wish. You know that fish is very much associated with Japanese culture and daily life. So, the fishing for luck Omikuji fortune-telling is quite interesting because in this case, you have to catch a tai fish from this cute little pond like a bucket filled with red or pink tai fishes. There would be a folded paper inside the fish which will predict your luck.

Omikuji Fortune telling - Fishing your luck

The Shingasi River flows behind this shrine, which looks very beautiful in spring. Those who come to visit Kawagoe at that time don’t miss this place.

Shingashi River

No. 5 Kurazukuri Street

Kurazakura street would give you a feel like you're back in Edo period Japan. Now we walk down this Warehouse District, where you can see lined up old two-story clay walled warehouses, once which was a major transportation and commerce hub.

For a moment, you may forget about hustle and bustle around you. If you notice, there are no electric lines around the houses to hold that old feel.

In most places in Japan, houses are made of wood, which is more likely to catch fire, but houses made of this type of mud are rarely seen because of the high expense to build them. However, it is understood that these merchants who were quite successful in trade at that time were able to build such houses!

At present most of the houses have been converted into souvenir shops or restaurants and are running their business successfully.

No.6 Toki no Kane

Just a short distance away, you'll see Kawagoe's famous Bell Tower or Toki no Kane, which still tells the story of the old Town of Koedo!

Toki no Kane or The Bell of Time is a symbol of Kawagoe. It is a clock tower that rises above the streets lined with historical Kura-style buildings that have been familiar to the public since the beginning of the Edo Period.

No. 7 Edo style Starbucks

In this alley, we found this old Edo-style Starbucks. Thinking about a small coffee break We went inside. I like it a lot. We didn't sit inside though because this open space in the back was so much more attractive.

No.7 Penny candy alley

This time we will go to Penny Candy Alley adjacent to Warehouse District which gave me a feel like Diagon Alley of Harry Potter's story! you can easily miss this tucked-away little alley if you don't know the proper location.

"Kashiya Yokocho" has been manufacturing sweets since the beginning of the Meiji era. It began to manufacture and supply sweets in place of Tokyo, which was damaged by the Great Kanto Earthquake, and it is said that about 70 vendors were lined up in the early Showa period.

Currently, there are more than 20 stores in a row.

There are a variety of tempting candies available here, not only for children but also adults are fans of it.

No. 8 Taisho-Roman Street

Several stores and restaurants can be seen along this street, which is located near the famous Karuizawa Street in Kawagoe. Some stores date back to the Taisho era (1912-1926) and some have been in business for almost 100 years!

 At the north end of the street is the Kawagoe Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was built in the Renaissance revival style.

This picturesque and beautiful road has been used in some Japanese movies and series to give a flavor of old Japan.

No. 9 Honmaru Goten 

It is the only existing building of the old Kawagoe Castle. It used to serve as the lord's residence and office. In 1848, during the Edo Period, Matsudaira Naritsune built this Honmaru Goten. It is a Symbol of the Kawagoe's Feudal reign. Most of the castle parts were destroyed by fire. Now visitors can see some of the old day's construction of the palace and dolls that representing the feudal lords sitting in the waiting rooms and discussing something... Unfortunately, it was closed so we couldn't able to show anything inside.

No. 10 Gyōdenji Temple

There are still several temples in the vicinity of Kurazukuri Street, whose architectural style is truly admirable. In which I want to speak specifically about this temple. This beautiful temple has created a very quiet atmosphere just opposite the crowded streets! The temple precincts surrounded by greenery are very effective for a few moments of rest and peace of mind.

In addition to these ten places, there are places like City Museum or Renkeiji Temple where you can visit if you have time in your hand.