Kawagoe called Koedo has many things to do! There are many temples & shrines that have long history, so do many restaurants, businesses, buildings. You can enjoy the seasonal events in Kawagoe, Saitama, too.
Kawagoe – Koedo, Saitama
Kawagoe was prospered as a castle town of Kawagoe Castle. And also it was flourished under the Tokugawas in Edo period. It looks like a town of Edo, that’s why it is called Koedo (Ko = small, edo = Tokyo in the past).
Is Kawagoe Worth Visiting?
Definitely YES! Especially if you like retro atmosphere!
A Great Destination for a Daytrip from Tokyo
You can visit Kawagoe from Tokyo as day trip.
It takes,
- 45 minutes from Ikebukuro station
- 1h from Shinjuku station, Tokyo station
- 1.5h from Shibuya station
Best Things To Do in Kawagoe
Here are the best things to enjoy in Kawagoe!
- Visit shrines & temples
- Kawagoe’s historical landmarks
- Enjoy the food in Kawagoe
Let’s narrow it down below!
Visit Popular Shrines & Temples in Kawagoe
There are a lot of shrines and temples in Kawagoe. Each one is different and has unique history.
Kita-in Temple
Kitain Temple was originally found in 830, named “Kitain Temple” in 1612. There are many cultural treasures. For instance, in Jiedo, there is a bell made in 1300 that is still used only once a year in new year,
Official Website : Kitain Temple (English)
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine – found in 541 – is definitely one of photo-worthy spots in Kawagoe. It’s famous for “fulfilment in love”. They have a lot of kind of Omamori (lucky charm), Omikuji (fortune telling slip), etc. also seasonal event, too.
Official Website : Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (Japanese)
Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine
Built in 1030, there are many kinds of God. (In the Shinto way, there are thousands of God. Respectfully, no intention to offend your religion or thought) Also there is the trees that connected which people pray for their good relationship with their partner.
Official Website : Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine (Japanese)
Kawagoe Kumano Jinja Shrine
Kumano Jinja was built in 1590, as a disenshrinement from Kishu Kumano. You can find the symbol of this shrine, Yatagarasu / Yatanokarasu (mythical crow which has 3 legs in Shinto) on their Omamori (lucky charm), Ema (wooden plate to write your wish), etc. I personally like the Goshuin here.
Official Website : Kawagoe Kumano Jinja Shrine (Japanese)
Kawagoe Hie Jinja Shrine
Hie Jinja Shrine was a part of Kitain Temple before Meiji era, but it was divided due to the order of separation of Buddhism and Shinto in 1868.
Some of you might have heard/known Akasaka Hie Jinja Shrine, that is a disenshrinement of this (Kawagoe) Hie Jinja Shrine.
Kawagoe’s Historical Landmarks
You will find a lot of historical landmarks in Kawagoe, that feels like you are in the old time.
Kura Dukuri Style
They started building more houses/shops since they found that the Osawa family’s house (Kura Dukuri style buildings) survived from the fire in 1893 which burnt down 1/3 of town of Kawagoe. There were already Kuradukuri style buildings in Nihonbashi, Tokyo (Edo at the time), so they might mimic it.
Tokino Kane – Time Bell Tower
This bell tower was built about 400 years ago. It’s 16 meters high and the current one is the 4th bell tower that was built right after the fire in 1893 because it was very important then. This bell was used to tell the time to people living there, that’s why it’s named “Toki no Kane”.
- Toki = Time
- Kane = Bell
After over 400 years, it’s still there., one of symbols of Kawagoe. Beautiful.
The Building of (Former) Saitama Risona Bank
The Renaissance style building of (former) Saitama Risona Bank was built in 1918. The bank has moved in 2020 due to the deterioration. The building itself is still preserved.
You can have a view from outside, however, you cannot go inside anymore.
Seasonal Fun and Event in Kawagoe
Haru Matsuri – Spring Festival + Sakura
On Sakura season, Haru Matsuri (Spring Festival) is held in Kawagoe. There are many places where you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossom. You can go to Shingashi Riverbank, Kita-in Temple, Renkeiji, etc!
Official site – Koedo Kawagoe Haru Matsuri
Natsu Matsuri – Summer Festival
It is National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and also registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.
In 2023, it’s planned on 14th and 15th of October. Check the info on the official website.
Official site – Koedo Natsu Matsuri
Kawagoe Matsuri Festival – Autumn
In Autumn, they have Kawagoe Matsuri Festival, that you can enjoy Japanese traditional festival.
Official site – Kawagoe Matsuri Festival (English)
Enjoy the Food – Kawagoe’s Speciality
Who likes to enjoy the local food while traveling?
- Sweet potato
- Soba Noodle
- Unagi (eel)
Sweet Potato – Satsuma imo
One of specialities of Kawagoe is sweet potato. There are many shops and restaurants that use sweet potato as ingredient to make dishes or/and sweets in Kawagoe, like soft served ice cream, fried chips, manju, noodle, sweet potato rice, etc.
Soba Noodle
Soba noodle is also popular and famous in Kawagoe. I’ve had Soba noodle at the restaurant which has been running their restaurant since 1905. They have “cha-soba” that contains tea leaves as ingredient on the soba noodle.
Unagi (eel)
There are also many Unagi (eel) shops that were started very long time ago. Isn’t it awesome that local businesses have been running for over a hundred year? If you are not sure wether you’d like it or not, I’d recommend trying Umaki (the picture above) that is a small piece of Unagi wrapped with egg omelet that is inexpensive.
Kawagoe Food Guide
Check the another article :
- Other article >> Kawagoe
- More ideas / destinations for Day Trip From Tokyo
You can try these best things to do in Kawagoe, for visiting temples and shrines, food, historical spots, seasonal events, and maybe something else too!
