Koedo Kawagoe Afternoon Day Trip Course

13:00 Kawagoe Station or Meet at Hon-Kawagoe Station
It takes about an hour by train from the Tokyo metropolitan area. It is particularly easy to access from Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, making it perfect for a leisurely afternoon sightseeing trip. The meeting point is Tobu Tojo Line/JR Kawagoe Station or Seibu Shinjuku Line Hon-Kawagoe Station. There is a tourist information center in front of each station, where you can pick up maps and brochures before starting.

13:30 Warehouse Streets and the Bell of Time
The “storehouse streets” that are synonymous with Kawagoe are a precious area that still retains the atmosphere of the Edo period. The rows of storehouse buildings with black plaster walls and thick tiled roofs make you feel as if you have traveled back in time.
The “Toki no Kane” (Bell of Time) near the center of the street is a historic bell tower built during the Kan’ei era, and even today it chimes the time four times a day (morning, noon, evening, and night). Nearby there are many shops selling Kawagoe’s famous sweets, Japanese miscellaneous goods stores, and cafes renovated from old houses, making it a fun spot to walk around the town in itself.
Warehouse Streets

14:30 Shopping and eating at Kashiya Yokocho
One of the pleasures of sightseeing in Kawagoe is eating your way through the streets. Kashiya Yokocho in particular is a row of nostalgic candy stores, making it a place that will take you back to your childhood. There are plenty of delicacies that are fun to look at and delicious to eat, such as the handmade candies and puffed sweets lined up in front of the stores, as well as sweets and ice cream made with potatoes. Be sure to enjoy the unique flavors of Kawagoe, such as fragrant grilled dumplings and crispy potato chips. It gets very busy on weekends and during tourist season, but interacting with the locals is also a fun experience.

15:30 Walking around Kita-in and Naka-in
If you want to learn more about Kawagoe’s history, you can’t miss Kita-in Temple, which has ties to the Tokugawa family. This famous Tendai Buddhist temple has precious cultural assets, such as the “Iemitsu Birth Room” and the “Kasuga no Tsubone Makeup Room,” which were relocated from Edo Castle. Five hundred arhat statues are neatly lined up in the temple grounds, and it is enjoyable to look at each and every one of their expressions. Kita-in Temple is the largest shrine and temple in Kawagoe. The neighboring Naka-in Temple is a tranquil temple with a garden filled with seasonal flowers that will soothe your soul. This is an area where you can spend some relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle.
Five hundred arhat statues

17:00 Take a break and buy souvenirs at Koedo Kurari
Towards the end of your trip, head to Koedo Kurari, a tourist facility built by renovating a Meiji-era sake brewery. There are three breweries (Meiji Brewery, Taisho Brewery, and Showa Brewery) that stock Kawagoe’s famous sweets, local sake, and crafts, making it the perfect place to look for souvenirs.
The facility also has a rest area and tasting counter, so you can relax after a long walk and enjoy a relaxing end to your trip. If you’re having trouble deciding on a souvenir, popular items include sweet potato sweets and Kawagoe-exclusive craft beer.

18:00 Kawagoe Station or Disband at Hon-Kawagoe Station
With a feeling of regret, we returned to the station and disbanded. This is a fulfilling course that can be fully enjoyed even in the afternoon, and you can fully experience the charm of Kawagoe.
You will definitely want to return in a different season. You can enjoy a different scenery especially during the cherry blossom season in spring and the Kawagoe Festival in autumn.