One Day in Kawagoe: 10 Best Things to Do in Little Edo

Why Kawagoe is a hotspot for travelers

Kawagoe City north of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture is just a 30-minute train ride from Ikebukuro Station. It’s famous for its Little Edo district, where you can wander charming streets, admire historical architecture, and soak in the traditional atmosphere.

Moreover, you can savor local specialties and experience traditional festivals. Its unique charm draws travelers from around the world, making it a beloved tourist destination.

Kawagoe: Access information & Travel passes

Most visitors opt to travel by train when heading to Kawagoe. Depending on your preferences, you can choose Tobu Railway, Seibu Railway, or JR lines. Here are some recommended routes and travel times from popular starting points:

• From Ikebukuro Station: 30 mins by Tobu Tojo Line (express train) to Kawagoe Station
• From Shinjuku Station: 60 mins by Seibu Shinjuku Line (rapid train) to Hon-Kawagoe Station
• From Shibuya Station: 70 mins by JR Saikyo Line (direct train) to Kawagoe Station

3 budget-friendly travel passes to visit Kawagoe

The three major railway lines connecting Tokyo and Kawagoe offer discount tickets, making it convenient for both domestic and international travelers to visit this traditional city in Saitama Prefecture.

Kawagoe Retro Trip Ticket by Tobu Railway: This ticket comes in three types: Transportation & Restaurant Set (includes one free meal,) Transportation & Shopping Set (includes one free snack or souvenir,) and Transportation, Restaurant, & Shopping Set, which comes with a free meal, and souvenir or snack. In addition to a round trip from any station along the Tobu Tojo and Ogose lines, the tickets also include a one-day ticket for Tobu buses in Kawagoe.

Seibu Kawagoe Pass by Seibu Railway: This one-day pass in the shape of an omamori lucky charm offers a discounted round trip from either Seibu-Shinjuku, Takadanobaba or Ikebukuro stations to Hon-Kawagoe Station.

JR Tokyo Wide Pass by Japan Railways: This pass does not only allow unlimited travel on all JR lines within Tokyo, but also offers access to Kawagoe Station, and other popular destinations in the Kanto Region for three consecutive days.

Hop-on hop-off buses: Your top choice for sightseeing in Kawagoe

The attractions in Kawagoe City are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to explore on foot and soak in the nostalgic atmosphere. If you’re worried about too much walking, the city’s sightseeing buses are a convenient alternative.

There are two types of sightseeing buses: the "Co-Edo Loop Bus" (小江戸巡回バス) and the "Koedo Kawagoe Loop Buss" (小江戸名所めぐりバス.) Although their routes differ slightly, both buses cover the main tourist attractions. The biggest difference is that the Koedo Kawagoe Loop Bus doesn't stop at Hon-Kawagoe Station, so for visitors arriving by Seibu Railway, the Co-Edo Loop Bus is the only option.

The Co-Edo Loop Bus departs from Kawagoe Station, with a stop at Hon-Kawagoe Station, and offers two routes based on the order of tourist attractions: the "Kitain Temple & Candy Alley Route" (喜多院・菓子屋横丁ルート) and the "Warehouse District & Hikawa Shrine Route" (蔵の街・氷川神社ルート.) Opt for the JPY 600 one-day pass that allows unlimited rides on the day of purchase, including discounts at over 100 shops in Kawagoe's Little Edo district. If you're lucky, you might even get to ride the vintage-style bus.

The Koedo Kawagoe Loop Bus offers a one-day pass for just JPY 400, which can be used not only on the loop bus but also on regular Tobu route buses within the designated area. On weekdays, buses run roughly every hour, while on weekends and holidays, they come every 30 minutes.

Considering the fare and waiting times, we recommend taking the Koedo Kawagoe Loop Bus on weekends and holidays, and the vintage-style Co-Edo Loop Bus on weekdays.

Seasonal events in Kawagoe's Little Edo district

Kawagoe is a wonderful destination to visit year-round. In spring, there are multiple cherry blossom viewing spots, with the annual Little Edo Kawagoe Spring Festival taking place in March and April. Enjoy a boat ride behind Hikawa Shrine, where the narrow river is lined by cherry blossom trees on both sides.

The Kawagoe Million Lights Summer Festival, held for two nights at the end of July, and the Kawagoe Festival, held in mid-October, are two other popular traditional events in Kawagoe. In particular, the Kawagoe Festival, with over 300 years of history and designated as a Japanese National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, is the city’s grandest festival and definitely worth seeing.

One-day itinerary & Attraction map

Below, you'll find a one-day itinerary that you can adjust to your own pace and preferences. If you're unsure about your energy level, take advantage of the sightseeing buses to make your visit more comfortable and relaxed.

1. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Built around 1,500 years ago, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine has long been revered by successive lords as the guardian deity of the castle town and its domain since the establishment of Kawagoe Castle. The five deities enshrined here are worshiped for family harmony, marital happiness, and matchmaking.

Legend has it that if you take home a pebble from the grounds and cherish it, you'll find a good match. Each morning, shrine maidens pick 20 pebbles from the grounds, which are then blessed by the priest and wrapped in hemp string nets. These special "love stones" are offered to those looking for a partner.

Once you've found your special someone, you can come back to the shrine together to pray and return the "love stone." At that time, the shrine will present you with a special amulet called "Yui–Himo-no-Moto," symbolizing a strong and lasting bond between you two, much like the red string of fate. It's said to be very effective, so many people visit the shrine early in the morning for this purpose.

The shrine grounds also offer other attractions, such as the Ema (votive plaque) Tunnel, omikuji fortune slips shaped like red snapper fish, and a wind chime display in the summer.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Address: 2-11-3 Miyashita-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 10-min bus ride from Kawagoe Station (JR Kawagoe, Tobu Tojo lines) to Kawagoe Hikawa Jinja bus stop
Official website: https://www.kawagoehikawa.jp/ (in Japanese only)

2. Kawagoe Kumano Shrine

Kawagoe Kumano Shrine is another famous spiritual site in Kawagoe. According to an ancient document, the shrine was established in 1590 when the second-generation priest of Renkeiji Temple, also located in Kawagoe, prayed for and received a divided spirit from the main Kumano Shrine in Wakayama Prefecture. The shrine is renowned for its blessings of good fortune, matchmaking, and protection against evil.

As you pass through the torii gate, you'll notice a small path lined with pebbles on either side of the approach. Walking barefoot on this path is believed to stimulate acupuncture points on the soles of your feet, promoting good health and well-being.

Kawagoe Kumano Shrine
Address: 17-1 Renjaku-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 5-min walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line)
Official website: https://www.kawagoekumano.jp/ (in Japanese only)

3. Kitain Temple

Kitain Temple, founded in 830 by the high priest Jikaku Daishi, is also referred to as Kawagoe Daishi and is a popular tourist destination in Kawagoe.

In the Edo period (1603-1868,) the temple was closely connected to the Tokugawa shogunate, with the resident priest Tenkai Daisojo trusted by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, linking buildings like the Guest Hall and Study to the Tokugawa family.

A key highlight of the temple is the "500 Rakan," a collection of 538 statues that took over 50 years to complete. Each statue has a unique expression—some smile, others cry, and some seem to whisper to each other.

Kitain Temple
Address: 1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 15-min walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line)
Official website: https://kitain.net/en/

4. Honmaru Palace of Kawagoe Castle

Kawagoe Castle, one of Japan’s "100 Famous Castles" and known as Hatsukari Castle, was built in 1457 by warrior Uesugi Mochitomo, and constructed by the father-son team of Docho and Dokan Ota. Today, only the Honmaru Palace remains, the last of its kind in Eastern Japan.

Inside the Honmaru Palace, you can explore the original entrance hall and great hall, along with life-size wax figures depicting life from that era. Admission is only JPY 100, and JPY 50 for high school and university students; free for middle school students and younger. This is a highly recommended visit for anyone interested in Japanese history.

Honmaru Palace of Kawagoe Castle
Address: 2-13-1 Kuruwa-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 8-min bus ride from Kawagoe Station (JR Kawagoe, Tobu Tojo lines) to Fudanotsuji bus stop; from there it’s an 8-min walk
Official website: https://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/smph/welcome/kankospot/hommarugotenzone/hommarugoten.html (in Japanese only)

5. Warehouse District (Kurazukuri no Machinami)

Kura-zukuri is a type of clay-walled warehouse-style architecture designed to prevent the spread of fires. After the Great Kawagoe Fire of 1893 destroyed over 1,300 houses, the surviving kura-zukuri structures were praised for their durability. In the following two to three years, over 200 new kura-zukuri buildings were constructed, becoming a symbol of Kawagoe, known as the Warehouse District.

The area still retains the atmosphere of the Edo period (1603-1868.) While the buildings look similar, different construction methods give each a unique character. Don't miss the Osawa Family Residence, which survived the Great Kawagoe Fire and is now a designated Japanese National Cultural Property.

Kawagoe Warehouse District
Address: Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: Take a bus from Kawagoe Station (JR Kawagoe, Tobu Tojo lines) or Hon-Kawagoe Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line) and get off at Ichibangai bus stop
Official website: https://kawagoe-ichibangai.com/

6. Time Bell Tower (Toki no Kane)

The Time Bell Tower (Toki no Kane,) originally built around 400 years ago by Kawagoe domain lord Tadakatsu Sakai, was reconstructed after the Great Kawagoe Fire of 1893. Its role in telling time led to its prompt restoration after multiple fires, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

As a symbol of Kawagoe, the Time Bell Tower was an integral part of the Warehouse District during the Edo period. Remarkably, it still rings four times a day at 6:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. Its soothing chime has even been selected as one of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan."

Time Bell Tower (Toki no Kane)
Address: 15-2 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 7-min bus ride from Kawagoe Station (JR Kawagoe, Tobu Tojo lines) to Ichibangai bus stop; from there it's a 3-min walk
Official website: https://koedo.or.jp/en/spot_001/

7. Kawagoe Festival Museum

This museum highlights the history of the Kawagoe Festival, held annually in October. Its main attraction is the exhibition hall, featuring two authentic yama (festival floats) with intricate carvings and decorations. A large screen shows videos about the festival, adding to the experience.

The museum also features historical materials about the Kawagoe Festival and displays award-winning photos from the annual photography contest. To accommodate international visitors, audio guides are also available.

Kawagoe Festival Museum
Address: 2-1-10 Motomachi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 15-min walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line)
Official website: https://kawagoematsuri.jp/English/museum.html

8. Candy Alley (Kashiya Yokocho)

Candy Alley, a beloved historic street in Kawagoe, once had over 70 candy stores at its peak. Today, around 20 remain, offering traditional Japanese sweets like konpeito (sugar candy) and peppermints.

A must-try is the brown sugar-flavored fugashi snack made from wheat gluten, sold by the long-established Matsuriku Seika. At 95 centimeters long, it makes for a striking souvenir.

Candy Alley
Address: 2 Motomachi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 8-min bus ride from Kawagoe Station (JR Kawagoe, Tobu Tojo lines) to Fudanotsuji bus stop; from there it's a 2-min walk
Official website: https://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/welcome/kankospot/kurazukurizone/kashiya.html (in Japanese only)

9. Taisho Roman Yume-dori Street

Kawagoe's Taisho Roman(tic) Yume-dori Street offers a distinct vibe from the Warehouse District, exuding nostalgic charm reminiscent of the Taisho era (1912-1926.) The granite-paved roads are lined with Western-style buildings from that period.

The shops here sell various items including food, sundries, and street snacks. With its diverse selection of specialty stores, it's the perfect spot to pick up some souvenirs.

Every spring, around 800 colorful carp streamers are hung high above the street. If you visit Kawagoe during this season, be sure to catch this unique, limited-time spectacle.

Taisho Romantic Street
Address: Renjaku-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from Kawagoe Station (JR Kawagoe, Tobu Tojo lines)
Official website: https://www.koedo.com/ (in Japanese only)

10. Starbucks Kawagoe Kanetsuki-dori Street Store

Starbucks has launched a Regional Landmark Store series to highlight local history, crafts, and culture. These unique stores are located across Japan, including notable spots like Kyoto's Ninen-zaka slope and Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine in Fukuoka.

The Starbucks Kawagoe Kanetsuki-dori Street Store is set inside a traditional kura-zukuri building, located near the Time Bell Tower. The interior features cedar wood from Saitama Prefecture, and Kawagoe's traditional textiles, creating a beautiful Japanese-style ambiance.

Starbucks Kawagoe Kanetsuki Street Store
Address: 15-18 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 7-min bus ride from Kawagoe Station (JR Kawagoe, Tobu Tojo lines) to Ichibangai bus stop; from there it's a 2-min walk
Official website: https://store.starbucks.co.jp/detail-1554/ (in Japanese only)

Must-try foods in Kawagoe

Kawagoe is famous for its delicious food, with many shops offering small portions for street-side enjoyment. A local favorite is Kawagoe Pudding, made with Japanese milk, eggs, and natural vanilla. Its smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture makes it a must-try.

For a leisurely dining experience, try Ogakiku, a long-established eel restaurant serving customers since 1807. With over 200 years of tradition, this historic spot uses a secret sauce recipe passed down through generations to create the finest eel dishes.

Kawagoe Pudding
Address: 1-13 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 13-min walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line)
Official website: https://kawagoe-purin.com/ (in Japanese only)

Ogakiku
Address: 3-22 Naka-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 12-min walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line)
Official website: https://www.ogakiku.com/en.html

Koedo Kurari: The best place for buying souvenirs

The multi-purpose facility Koedo Kurari was once the Kagamiyama Sake Brewery, established in 1875. It preserves the architecture of its time and repurposed its three warehouses, built during the Meiji (1868-1912,) Taisho (1912-1926,) and Showa (1926-1989) eras, into a gift shop, restaurant, and sake tasting space respectively.

In the Meiji Warehouse, you'll find local specialties and souvenirs from Saitama Prefecture, as well as the Kura Cafe, where you can enjoy local coffee and sweets.

The Showa Warehouse, on the other hand, offers local sake and provides vending machines for a unique sake-tasting experience. If you find a flavor you like, you can purchase the sake directly in the store.

When traveling abroad, time is precious, and you might not have the opportunity to buy souvenirs. In such cases, we recommend checking WAmazing Shop, where you can buy a variety of souvenirs, snacks, cosmetics, and more, tax-free. You can order online in advance and collect your items from special lockers at designated airports and train stations across Japan.

Koedo Kurari
Address: 1-10-1 Shintomi-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 3-min walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line)
Official website: https://www.machikawa.co.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Stroll Kawagoe's traditional streets in kimono

Kawagoe's Little Edo district is perfect for wearing a kimono. Take stunning photos along the kura-zukuri streets, the Time Bell Tower, and at various shrines and temples. The Taisho Roman(tic) kimono, a new style that has become popular in recent years, uses materials like lace and pearls for an antique touch.

You can book your kimono experience conveniently in advance on WAmazing Play.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.