Kawagoe Highlights Private Day Trip from Tokyo

Kitain Temple is one of Kawagoe’s most important historical landmarks and serves as the head temple of the Tendai Sect in the Kanto region. Deeply connected to the Tokugawa shogunate, the temple features preserved rooms relocated from Edo Castle, traditional architecture, and peaceful gardens that reflect Japan’s samurai-era culture. The grounds are also home to the famous Gohyaku Rakan statues—540 unique stone figures representing the disciples of Buddha, each carved with a different facial expression.

Taisho Roman Street preserves the nostalgic atmosphere of early modern Japan from the Taisho era. Retro-style buildings, small local shops, and traditional storefronts line the street, creating a charming contrast to the older Edo-style architecture found elsewhere in Kawagoe. It is a pleasant area to stroll while discovering local snacks and hidden shops.

Kurazukuri Street, also known as Kawagoe’s Warehouse District or Ichibangai, offers one of the most atmospheric glimpses into Japan’s Edo-period past. The street is lined with traditional Kurazukuri buildings—historic clay-walled warehouse-style structures originally designed to protect merchant goods from fire. Today, these beautifully preserved buildings house local cafés, sweet shops, craft stores, and restaurants, creating a lively blend of history and modern local culture. As visitors stroll through the charming streets, they can experience why Kawagoe is known as “Little Edo,” with its nostalgic scenery, traditional architecture, and relaxed small-town atmosphere. Nearby stands the iconic Toki no Kane bell tower, a lasting symbol of the city’s historical heritage.

As a symbol of Kawagoe, the clock tower chimes four times daily at 6:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00. Following the devastation caused by the Great Kawagoe Fire of 1893, the tower was reconstructed in 1894 to replace the former structure. Today, it stands as a significant landmark in the city's history.

Tantoku Garden is a hidden traditional space where visitors can experience a quieter side of Kawagoe. On Fridays through Sundays, guests may also join an optional wasanbon sweets and matcha experience while relaxing inside a historic Japanese-style setting. The peaceful atmosphere offers a refreshing break during the walking tour.

Known for its connection to love, relationships, and family harmony, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is one of the city’s most beloved spiritual sites. With a history of approximately 1,500 years, the shrine enshrines five deities, including two married pairs, and has long been visited by people praying for good fortune in love and marriage. The peaceful grounds feature elegant wooden architecture and traditional Japanese shrine culture, creating a calm atmosphere within the city. Visitors can also enjoy the shrine’s unique Tai-mikuji, a playful fortune-telling experience where fortunes are placed inside small red sea bream-shaped charms.

Kashiya Yokocho, also known as Candy Alley, is a nostalgic shopping lane located near Kawagoe’s historic Warehouse District. The narrow alley is lined with traditional sweet shops and small local stores selling a wide variety of Japanese snacks, including candies, rice crackers, karinto sweets, sweet potatoes, cakes, and ice cream. The area preserves the retro atmosphere of old Japan and remains popular among both locals and visitors. Guests can enjoy strolling through the lively alley while tasting local treats and browsing small toys and traditional souvenirs unique to Kawagoe.

Koedo Kurari is a renovated sake brewery complex where visitors can explore Kawagoe’s local sake culture. Guests can browse regional products, enjoy tastings, and learn about traditional brewing culture in Saitama. The relaxed atmosphere makes it an ideal stop near the end of the tour.