You don’t need a time machine to see the days of yore as the Saitama town of Kawagoe has incredibly preserved the past.

You don’t need a time machine to see the days of yore as the Saitama town of Kawagoe has incredibly preserved the past.

Steeped in nostalgia, one of the main attractions of Kawagoe is Little Edo, where the streets and atmosphere still very much reflect the Edo Period (1603-1868). The town was an important commercial center which led to the development of the Kurazukuri no Machinami, a warehouse district lined with clay-walled kura (warehouses) that are distinctive with their heavy tiled roofs. These were used for storing things like miso or soy sauce, but now they house many shops and restaurants. Here, time is marked by the Toki no Kane, a bellower that chimes four times a day.

Just next door is Candy Alley, which sounds almost too good to be true. Various treats are sold there, from candied sweet potatoes to karinto, or crunchy, deep-fried dough coated in sugar. Just a couple of minutes’ walk will take you into a more recent era in Japanese history: the paved Taisho-Roman Street, lined with buildings from the late Meiji and Taisho Periods (the late 1800s to 1920s), housing retro coffee shops and bookstores.

With the olden atmosphere, why not dress to match? The eighth, 18th, and 28th day of each month is “Kawagoe Kimono Day” and participating stores rent kimono and yukata, or a lightweight kimono. For a true taste of the past, stop by Matsumoto Craft Soy Sauce, which has over 250 years of history. Here, join a factory tour, where you can see the barrels used for fermentation. Also worth a visit is Daishi Kita-in Temple, known for its 540 statues of the disciples of Buddha, each said to have its own facial expression. The grounds are filled with beautiful cherry blossoms in spring. And, if you are in town in October, don’t miss the Kawagoe Festival, a parade of colorful, two-story floats that face off in musical “battles.”

Kawagoe

Kawagoe

Less than an hour from Tokyo by train, Kawagoe is an unmissable day trip back in time! Meticulously preserved buildings harken back to days of Japan gone by, and wandering the streets presents a variety of different sightseeing opportunities for every type of traveler.

Kawagoe City Kawagoe Station Tourism Information Center

24-9 Wakitamachi, Kawagoe City, Saitama 350-1122

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09:00 – 16:30

Kawagoe City Kawagoe Station Tourism Information Center

Tel: +81 49-222-5556

Email: kanko@machikawa.co.jp

Chokotabi Saitama

http://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/chokotabi-saitama/eng/kawagoe/index.html

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