Kawagoe in Saitama is uniquely known as "Little Edo" for its remarkably preserved Edo-period merchant townscape, featuring kurazukuri clay-walled warehouses and the iconic Toki no Kane bell tower. Unlike anywhere else in Japan, it blends Meiji-era sweets alleys like Kashiya Yokocho with centuries-old samurai architecture, offering a time-traveling experience just 30 minutes from Tokyo.
Notable points about Kawagoe
- Kawagoe in Saitama is nicknamed “Little Edo” for its remarkably preserved Edo-period merchant streets, offering a rare time-travel-like experience just 30 minutes from Tokyo.
- Unlike other Japanese cities, Kawagoe retains authentic kura-style clay-walled warehouses and a working bell tower (Toki no Kane) still chiming four times a day.
- The best time to visit is mid-October during the Kawagoe Festival, when massive floats parade through the streets in a spectacular, historic celebration.
- With many free or low-cost attractions and street food options, Kawagoe is more affordable than Tokyo or Kyoto, perfect for budget-conscious travelers.
- Renting a kimono and strolling through Kurazukuri Street is a beloved local tradition that gives visitors an immersive cultural experience rooted in Edo charm.
- Try sweet potato-based snacks like “imo koin” and purple sweet potato soft cream, which are iconic to Kawagoe's food scene and sold throughout Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley).
- The city is compact and walkable, but a 500-yen loop bus pass lets you easily hop between key sights like Hikawa Shrine and Kawagoe Castle ruins.
- Explore the serene grounds of Kitain Temple, home to over 500 unique Rakan stone statues and Japan’s only surviving structures from the original Edo Castle.
- Kawagoe is extremely safe, though few locals speak English—having a translation app or phrasebook helps; bowing and being polite are appreciated customs.
- Watching the sun set behind the old kura buildings while holding a fresh street snack is a magical moment that blends Japan’s past and present beautifully.