Kawagoe (Little Edo)
川越
“Little Edo” is about 30 minutes from Ikebukuro. Its kura storehouse-style old streets, the Toki no Kane bell tower and confectionery alleys preserve the atmosphere of Edo, making it a classic day trip from Tokyo.
Kawagoe is in Saitama Prefecture. During the Edo period, it was a major commercial town that supplied goods to Edo (present-day Tokyo), which is why it is called “Little Edo.” Along Ichibangai street are rows of kura-style merchant buildings with black earthen walls. The landmark Toki no Kane, a wooden bell tower, rings at 6:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00 every day. Nearby, Kashiya Yokocho alley has more than twenty traditional shops selling rustic sweets, where you can try sweet potato desserts, as Kawagoe is famous for its sweet potatoes. Hikawa Shrine is known for matchmaking, and in summer it hosts a “Wind Chime Corridor” of over a thousand Edo-style wind chimes. Kitain Temple has buildings moved from Edo Castle and a set of 500 Rakan statues. You can also rent kimono and stroll the town. From Ikebukuro, take the Tobu Tojo Line express for about 30 minutes to Kawagoe Station, then continue by bus or walk for about 20 minutes.
Opening hours
District open all day; shops about 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Inokashira Park & Kichijoji
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter
- Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
- Sanrio Puroland
- Sunshine City Ikebukuro
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
- Omoide Yokocho
- Kabukicho, Shinjuku