2024-10-04

[Kawagoe Complete Guide] Experience the charms of Koedo from “The Bell of Time” to “Kashiya Alley”

WellBe Inc.

[Kawagoe Complete Guide] Experience the charms of Koedo from “The Bell of Time” to “Kashiya Alley”

Kawagoe is located in Saitama Prefecture, next to Tokyo. It's a fascinating tourist destination known for its historic buildings and culture.

In this article, we'll introduce useful information such as Kawagoe's highlights, gourmet food, and event information.

How do I get to Kawagoe?

The closest station to Kawagoe is “Honkawagoe Station” on the Seibu Line, but it is also accessible from “Kawagoe Station.”

“Kawagoe Station,” which is served by multiple railway companies, is very convenient to access by train.

From “Seibu Shinjuku,” we also recommend the limited express Red Arrow, where you can enjoy the feeling of a short trip with a face-to-face seat.

It's only an hour away by train from Tokyo Station, so it's perfect for a day trip.

What are the highlights of Kawagoe?

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine was built about 1500 years ago.

It has been revered by successive Kawagoe Castle lords as the chief guardian of Kawagoe.

The large 15-meter-high torii gate and the splendid Edo carvings on the main building, which is designated as an important cultural property, are a must-see.

In recent years, it has attracted many worshipers from all over Japan because of the benefits of matchmaking.

Address: 2-11-3 Miyashita-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama

Access: Take the Tobu Bus bound for Saitama Medical University from “Honkawagoe Station” on the Seibu Shinjuku Line for 7 minutes and get off at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Business hours: Free time in the precincts (shrine office is 8:00 to 18:00)

The Bell of Time

The “Bell of Time,” which can be said to be the symbol of Kawagoe, rises in the center of the city, and its history dates back to the Edo period.

Since then, it has been hit by 3 fires, but it has been rebuilt each time, and the current 4th generation is after the Great Meiji Fire.

The sound of the bell ringing 4 times every day at 6 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 15 o'clock, and 18 o'clock has been selected as one of the “100 best soundscapes in Japan to preserve.”

The sound of a bell telling the time gives visitors the feeling that they are traveling back in time.

Address: 15-7 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama

Access: From Honkawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, take the Tobu bus bound for Tsuji for 3 minutes and get off at Ichibangai stop

Opening hours: free to visit

Kurazukuri Townscape

Streets lined with warehouses — Kurazukuri Townscape

Kawagoe was the castle town of Kawagoe Castle in the Edo period, and developed as a commercial city.

“Kurazukuri Townscape” is an area where buildings with earthen walls and thick roofs are lined up, built to protect valuable supplies from fires.

The profound townscape with many storehouses remains, and you can fully enjoy the remnants of that time.

Today, it's used as a cafe, souvenir shop, and museum, where you can enjoy the atmosphere of the good old days.

Address: Ichibangai Street around Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture

Access: 15 minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line

Opening hours: free to visit

Confectionery Alley

Source: Tobu Railway

Another attraction of Kawagoe is “Kashiya Alley,” where you can enjoy traditional Japanese sweets.

There are more than 20 dagashi and wagashi stores lined up around the small alley.

This is a popular spot not only for children, but also for adults who are nostalgic about the old days.

In particular, “potato confectionary” is a specialty of Kawagoe, and its sweetness and flavor are very popular.

Address: 2-chome, Motomachi, Kawagoe, Saitama

Access: From Hon-Kawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, take the Tobu bus bound for 3 minutes, get off at Fudanotsuji and walk for 3 minutes

Business hours: 10:00-17:00 (varies by store)

Recommended specialty stores where you can eat “eel” in Kawagoe

Source: Koedo Tourism Association

Kawagoe is known not only for traditional Japanese sweets, but also for various gourmet spots.

In particular, it is famous for eel dishes using “eel.” Here are some popular long-established specialty stores.

“Eel Ichinoya”

This is a long-established eel shop founded in 1832 (Tenpo 3) in the late Edo period.

You can enjoy the exquisite kabayaki made with a sauce that has been handed down.

The flesh is plump, and the skin has a savory finish.

The sauce has a refreshing flavor that enhances the sweetness of eels.

Address: 1-18-10, Matsue-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama

Access: 8-minute walk from Seibu Railway “Honkawagoe Station”

Business hours: 11:00 to 21:00

Regular holidays: irregular holidays

“Ogawa Chrysanthemum”

Established over 200 years ago, this is an eel shop where you can enjoy flavors that have been preserved since it was founded in Kawagoe in the late Edo period.

The eels that are delivered every morning are carefully selected from production areas all over the country.

A sauce that has been passed down from generation to generation is added and baked at the high heat of Kishu Bincho charcoal.

The plump flesh, crisp skin, and slightly sweet, and elegant sauce have an exquisite flavor.

Address: 3-22 Nakamachi, Kawagoe, Saitama

Access: 9 minute walk from Seibu Railway “Honkawagoe Station”

Business hours: 11:00 to 14:00, 16:30 to 19:30

Regular holidays: Irregular

“Eel Hayashiya”

It is a store near Nakagawa where “Hayashiya River Fish Store,” which has specialized in river fish such as sweetfish and eels for 60 years, has opened a store.

We are proud of our unaju, made by grilling domestic eels with bichozan charcoal.

We also recommend à la carte dishes such as deep-fried loach and grilled chicken slowly cooked on Bincho charcoal with garlic and sansho.

Address: 2-4 Nakamachi, Kawagoe, Saitama

Access: 12 minute walk from Seibu Railway “Honkawagoe Station”

Business hours: 11:00 to 17:00

Regular holidays: irregular holidays

We also recommend Japan's representative craft beer!

Source: Coedo Brewery official website

If you like alcohol, I recommend Kawagoe's specialty “Coedo Beer.”

Many stores in Kawagoe sell it, and it is a craft beer representing Japan that can be easily enjoyed.

Here are some restaurants where you can enjoy “Coedo Beer.”

Koedo Meat Bar “Kuraya”

Kuraya, a meat bar in Koedo — Koedo meat bar “Kuraya”

Source: GURUNAVI

Address: 2-13-11 Shintomi-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama

Access: 3 minute walk from Honkawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, 5 minute walk from Kawagoe Station on the JR Kawagoe Line

Business hours: 17:00 to 24:00

If you get tired of walking, take a rest! Let's heal your tiredness at a hot spring!

Koedo Hatsukari Hot Springs

Koedo Hatsukari Onsen — Koedo Hatsukari Hot Spring

Source: Official site

There are multiple baths, such as “Smooth Water,” where you can hear the murmuring of a creek, and “Zabun no Yu,” where you can see a waterfall flowing down briskly, and an open-air bath that can be enjoyed on a daily basis.

In addition, a lauryu is held in a bedrock bath using several types of natural stones, so you can experience warming your whole body.

Address: 26-1 Shibui, Kawagoe, Saitama

Access: 15 minutes by bus or taxi from Minami-Furuya Station on the Tobu Tojo Line or Minami-Furuya Station on the JR Kawagoe Line

Business hours: 8:00 to 0:30 the next day

Fees:

Adults: 800 yen on weekdays; 900 yen on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

Children: 420 yen on weekdays, 420 yen on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

Kawagoe's busiest event “Kawagoe Festival”

The “Kawagoe Festival,” which is held every year on the 3rd Sunday of October and the day before, is a spectacular festival where gorgeous floats parade through the city, making Kawagoe the busiest festival of the year.

This festival has been going on for hundreds of years, and was designated as an important intangible folk cultural property of the country in 2005.

At the Kawagoe Festival, mikoshi parades and nightclubs line up to decorate summer nights.

The Japanese festival will be an unforgettable experience.

Kawagoe Festival 2024 Information

2024/10/19 (Sat) -20 (Sun)

The biggest highlight: “Towage” is between 18:00 and 21:00

Location: Kawagoe city center, Saitama Prefecture (Kawagoe Station, Honkawagoe Station, Kawagoe City Hall area)

summary

Kawagoe is a unique tourist destination that combines historical charm with modern fun.

You can experience the sound of “The Bell of Time” and walking through the Kurazukuri townscape as you travel back in time to the Edo period in Japan.

Savoring Japanese sweets, exploring local cuisines, and traditional festivals at “Kashiya Yokocho” will be an unforgettable experience for all visitors.

Here are some popular recommended salons that are easily accessible from the Kawagoe area

Beauty experiences such as massages in Japan are one of the experiences you can't miss.

Let's spend time to heal our daily fatigue and refresh our mind and body.

Saitama/ “Aloha Beauty Salon"*Women Only

A salon where you can enjoy superb relaxation and beauty with LoMilomi and Bazalt Stone, which are directly handed down from Hawaii.

It is a superb healing space with authentic LoMiLomi techniques learned in Hawaii and experts who provide cutting-edge esthetics.

Ikebukuro/ “Mix Up!! Ikebukuro store”

This salon offers many facials that are effective for dieting, beautiful skin, lift-up, and anti-aging.

The slimming menu performs 3 processes simultaneously to efficiently maximize the slimming effect, so this salon is recommended even for those who don't have time.

Experienced and highly skilled staff are in charge, so you can take it with confidence.

Akihabara, Kanda, Awajicho/ “Esthetic & Relaxation WELLFIT” *Women Only

Esthetics & Relaxation WELLFIT — Akihabara, Kanda, Awaji Town/ “Esthetic & Relaxation WELLFIT”

This salon is within walking distance of Kanda, Awaji, and Akihabara.

“Esthetic & Relaxation WELLFIT” is a talented salon attended by professional beauticians and therapists.

This treatment can also be used for pelvic correction, small face, beautiful skin, head spa, and maternity care.

It is a powerful salon that has been published in over 50 beauty magazines and specialty magazines. Please enjoy the industry's most advanced technology.

Ikebukuro/ “Be All Ikebukuro Store”

This salon is located just a 3-minute walk from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station. Relaxing dry head spas are popular.

Expert estheticians with over 10 years of experience will provide detailed counseling and suggest optimal care according to each person's concerns and needs.

Ikebukuro/ “head CONCIERGE Ikebukuro Store”

It is a technique of pressing pressure points on the head called the deep muscle approach, which leads to ultimate sleep.

It has various effects such as “relieving insomnia,” “improving shoulder stiffness,” “recovering from eye strain,” and “anti-aging.”

Enjoy the ultimate head spa that goes beyond relaxation.

Shibuya/ “UREROBAS Shibuya Store”

At the dry head spa specialty store on the 4th floor of the shopping mall Tokyu Plaza Shibuya, you can experience a dry head spa where you can be healed with all five senses.

The head spa at this salon is characterized by preparing the body from the ground up, and you can expect not only to take care of your head and eye fatigue and concerns about sleep, but also to lift your face and tone up your skin.

Please spend a blissful time shopping, sightseeing, or on your way home from work.

Shinjuku/ Shinjuku Relaxation Salon “Sea the Night”

Despite being in a good location, a 2-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku Station and a 7-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, it is a salon where you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and relax both mentally and physically.

We offer a menu to relieve painful stiffness throughout the body.

Jimbocho (Akihabara area)/“CREBIA Jimbocho Store” *Women only

crebia　jinbocho — “CREBIA Jimbocho Store”

A slimming esthetic salon that leads to effortless results! Highly skilled and experienced staff are popular.

It is a talented salon that is a strong ally for women who want to go on a diet.

Our experienced staff will suggest a menu tailored to each person's constitution and concerns, so you can get closer to your ideal body without difficulty, without waste, and effectively.