Kawagoe City isn’t Tokyo, but it’s only about from half an hour to an hour from the Tokyo center, so it’s a great spot for a quick day trip out of Tokyo!
Kawagoe’s known as “Little Edo,” and it’s got all these old townscapes that have been around for over hundreds of years. It’s like taking a little trip from Tokyo and time-traveling back to the Edo period. Plus, it’s a paradise for street food! Tons of creative snacks everywhere, and a lot of them are made with sweet potatoes. I just found out—Kawagoe’s all about sweet potatoes!
A. Start Walking from Kawagoe Station
The waking starts from Kawagoe Station (marked as A on the map). The photo shows the east exit of the station. If you’re taking the bus, this is the side you want!
This is the ticket exit for the Tobu Train. The easiest way to Kawagoe City is to take the Tobu-Tojo Line from Ikebukuro Station. It’s about a 30-minute ride.
This is the ticket exit for the JR Train. If you’re around the Shinjuku area, the JR Saikyo Line from JR Shinjuku Station might be a convenient choice. It’s just about an hour’s ride.
Kawagoe City is a delight for strolling through streets that still showcase the charm of the Edo period while enjoying various little snacks. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the station to the bell tower（Toki-No-Kane), which is the heart of the sightseeing area. This distance is just right for soaking in the town’s atmosphere as you walk.
This time, it is planned to take a bus to the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (marked as B on the map) in the north of the town and then walk back to the station.
On the east side of Kawagoe Station (marked as D on the map), take the Tokyu Bus marked “06” from Platform 7, and after about ten minutes, get off at the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Bus Stop.
B. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, Let’s Reel in Some Good Luck!
Since we’re in Kawagoe, let’s stop by and say hello to the local guardian, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (marked as B on the map). Plus, there’s something interesting to check out!
If you’re visiting as a couple and hoping for a lasting relationship, you’ll find charms made from traditional Japanese red thread to help make that wish come true!
Don’t forget to try fishing for an Omikuji when you visit this shrine! You’ll reel in a charm shaped like a Tai, a fish that’s considered lucky in Japan, and get a little peek at your fortune.
There are two types of Omikuji here: the white Tai on the left reveals your love fortune, while the red Tai on the right gives you insight into your luck for the year!
Omikuji: a Japanese fortune-telling slip you can get at shrines and temples. You draw a slip of paper, which has a written fortune ranging from good to bad. The fortunes often come with advice on various aspects of life, like health, love, business, and learning.
Alright, let’s head into the heart of Kawagoe City! It’s about a ten-minute walk to the main street. From there, looking south, you should see a view like this one. Take your time, wander into any shops that catch your eye, and make your way toward Toki-No-Kane, the iconic Bell Tower.
Even the familiar Starbucks (marked as ❶ on the map) takes on a traditional look here in Kawagoe’s historic streets! After visiting Toki-No-Kane (Bell Tower), it’s a perfect spot to take a little break, isn’t it?
C. Toki-No-Kane (Bell Tower), the Heart of Little Edo Kawagoe
As you turn down the main street, you’ll spot Toki-No-Kane (Bell Tower) (marked as C on the map) coming into view. You might think it’s small—maybe it’s because you’ve seen so many tourist photos! You can imagine it must have been a tall tower visible from anywhere in town back in the Edo period.
The tower was originally built around 1627. The current structure was rebuilt after a big fire in 1893. It still chimes at 6, 12, 15, and 18 o’clock. If you happen to be in town at those times, take a moment to listen!
It’s about a 30-minute walk from Toki-No-Kane (Bell Tower) to Kawagoe Station (marked as A on the map). The town still has plenty of remnants from the Edo period, so let’s explore not just the main street but also the side alleys on either side as we make our way to the station. Along the way, you’ll find all sorts of unique snacks for sale, so trust your nose and taste buds to find the best ones!
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If you’re looking for a convenient hotel nearby Kawagoe Station, Kawagoe Tobu Hotel is available:
PR
If you’re looking for a Japanese style accommodation in the heart of Kawagoe City along with a great breakfast, Ryokan Matsumuraya is available:
Foodie Paradise Point ❷ Sweet Potato Chips, Koedo Osatsu Ann (marked as ❷ on the map)
These are sweet potato chips that are artistically sliced thin, fried, and sprinkled with salt. They’re sweet with a hint of salt, making them impossible to stop munching on once you start!
If just salt isn’t enough for you, they also offer ten different dipping sauces.
The shop is located on the same street as Toki-No-Kane (Bell Tower). There’s usually a long line at this shop, but don’t worry—the wait isn’t as long as you might think!
Foodie Paradise Point ❸ Sweet Potato Pudding, Kawagoe Pudding (marked as ❸ on the map)
The photo shows their most popular dish, which features pudding topped with Sweet Potato Mont Blanc and crispy Sweet Potato chips—something you can only find at this shop!
It’s a specialty pudding shop, so you can also enjoy a variety of flavors like strawberry, yuzu, and chocolate. Be sure to try their special pudding at this shop on the main street!
Foodie Paradise Point ❹ Kame Dorayaki, Kame-Ya (marked as ❹ on the map)
Let’s take a bite of traditional Japanese sweets at a confectionery shop established back in 1783!
Here’s a photo of Dorayaki—a treat made of two pancake-like cakes with sweet Azuki bean paste in the middle. You might already know it as Doraemon’s favorite snack! In this shop, the Dorayaki takes on a unique shape, inspired by the shop’s name—it’s shaped like a turtle (Kame).
With a storefront that exudes tradition, this shop offers a wide range of treats—from classic Monaka sweets to new creations featuring chocolate—that make perfect souvenirs!
Monaka; Traditional Japanese sweet made by sandwiching sweet fillings, typically Azuki bean paste, between two thin, crispy wafers. The wafers are often made from rice and can come in various shapes, like squares, circles, or even seasonal designs.
Foodie Paradise Point ❺ Goldfish Bowl Soda, Kingyotei (marked as ❺ on the map)
How about taking a break off the main street and relaxing at a cozy café down a side alley? Kingyotei is a charming spot in a renovated traditional Japanese house, famous for its refreshing drinks served in bowls that resemble goldfish bowls. And, of course, they also offer curry rice, set meals, and more, so you can enjoy it as a regular café too!
Kingyotei means the house of goldfish!
If you stroll down the alley, you’ll easily spot the shop—just look for the eye-catching goldfish display as your guide.
Foodie Paradise Point ❻ Baked Sweet Potato Vending Machine, Chilla’s Land (marked as ❻ on the map)
To be honest, baked sweet potatoes are definitely tastier when they’re fresh out of the oven. Since you’ve come all this way, it might be nice to buy just one from the vending machine as a souvenir for a late-night snack at your hotel! But a baked sweet potato in a capsule—it’s like a bit of the future sneaking into the past, don’t you think?
It seems that Japanese people have a special fondness for vending machines, as you can find all sorts of things for sale in them. If you keep an eye out while traveling in Japan, you’re sure to stumble upon some interesting vending machines!
What makes it even more interesting is the place where this vending machine is located. It’s actually a café where you can interact with chinchillas and get advice on how to care for them! You have to wonder—why would they decide to install a baked sweet potato vending machine here?
Chinchillas; Small, furry rodents native to the Andes Mountains in South America. Known for their incredibly soft, dense fur, they’re popular as pets and are social animals that can be quite playful.
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If you’re interested in staying at a house right in the heart of Kawagoe City, R House Kawagoe is available:
If you’re into Japanese period dramas (Jidaigeki) or the Edo period, you’ve got to visit Kawagoe! Take a moment to listen to the Toki-No-Kane bell ringing through the streets, and imagine what this town was like back in the day.
Oh, and when you’re there, don’t just go for the snacks—definitely try the Soba (Buckwheat Noodles) and Unagi (Grilled Eel) too!