Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
July 29, 2026
Kawagoe, known as "Little Edo" and located in Saitama Prefecture, is a popular tourist destination near Tokyo, easily accessible from Ikebukuro in as little as 30 minutes. With its preserved Edo-period atmosphere, including traditional storehouses, a candy alley, shrines, and other charming streetscapes, it's perfect for those who enjoy photography, strolling in kimonos, and exploring historic towns. This article provides a comprehensive guide to Kawagoe, including sightseeing spots, access methods, and recommended accommodations, to help you enjoy a day trip.
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The most frequently asked question about day trips to Kawagoe is how to get there.
Kawagoe is located near Tokyo and is accessible by three main train lines. With frequent train service, it's easy to get around even for first-time visitors.
From Ikebukuro Station, take the Tobu Tojo Line to Kawagoe Station, which takes approximately 30 minutes by limited express or express train.
This is the most frequently used route, and it's very convenient with a large number of trains running.
Tobu Railway official website
https://www.tobu.co.jp
For those staying in the Shinjuku area, the Seibu Shinjuku Line is recommended.
If you take the limited express "Koedo" train, you will arrive at Hon-Kawagoe Station in about 45 minutes.
Hon-Kawagoe Station is conveniently located near Ichiban-gai Street and the Toki no Kane (Time Bell), making it ideal for sightseeing.
Seibu Railway Official Website
https://www.seiburailway.jp
After arriving at Kawagoe Station, it's convenient to use the Koedo Loop Bus.
You can efficiently visit major tourist spots such as Kitain Temple, Hikawa Shrine, and the traditional storehouse district.
The highlights of a day trip to Kawagoe are concentrated in the historic townscape known as "Little Edo."
You can enjoy the charm of Kawagoe in one day, from its old-fashioned streets and shrines to its sweets street.
Ichiban-gai is the central area for sightseeing in Kawagoe.
With its black exterior walls, imposing wooden gates, and tiled roofs, the rows of merchant houses create a scene that feels as if you've stepped back in time to the Edo period.
The oldest residence, the "Osawa Family Residence," was built in 1792 and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
This is a representative walking spot where you can best experience the unique character of Kawagoe.
The Toki no Kane (Time Bell) is a symbol of Kawagoe, having continuously told the time to the castle town since the early Edo period.
The bell tower has been rebuilt several times due to fires, and the current one is the fourth iteration.
This wooden structure, approximately 16 meters tall, still rings its bells several times a day.
It has been selected as one of "100 Soundscapes of Japan We Want to Preserve," and is an essential photo spot for sightseeing in Kawagoe.
Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley) is a street lined with traditional Japanese sweets that has been around since the Meiji era.
After the Great Kanto Earthquake, it also served as an important location for supplying cheap sweets to Tokyo.
Even today, there are more than 30 shops selling candy, rice crackers, sweet potato sweets, nostalgic snacks, and souvenirs.
You can also enjoy a wide variety of sweets made with sweet potatoes, a specialty of Kawagoe.
This shrine is famous for matchmaking.
In the summer, a wind chime festival is held, and the cute fortune-telling slips, which are drawn like fishing for a sea bream, are also popular.
It's recommended for couples, friends, and anyone who wants to take photos that capture a distinctly Japanese feel.
Official Websitehttps://www.kawagoehikawa.jp
Kitain Temple is a temple associated with the Tokugawa family and is famous for its buildings relocated from Edo Castle and its collection of 500 arhats.
Nearby, Taisho Roman Yume Street features Western-style buildings from the Taisho era, allowing you to enjoy a retro atmosphere.
This area is recommended because you can enjoy both quiet temples and retro streetscapes.
Strolling through the historic storehouse-lined streets in a kimono is a unique way to enjoy sightseeing in Kawagoe.
There are many kimono rental shops in the area, and they offer a wide variety of half-day rental plans.
You can take photos that capture the essence of "Little Edo" at the Toki no Kane (Time Bell) and Ichiban-gai (First Street).
For those who want to save on transportation costs, we recommend tickets such as the "Koedo-Kawagoe Free Pass."
Because it allows users to combine train travel and shuttle bus service, it's popular with students and travelers looking to save money.
When traveling to Kawagoe, enjoying the local cuisine is a major highlight.
In particular, unaju (eel rice bowl), sweet potato dishes, and thick-noodle yakisoba are representative specialties of Kawagoe.
Kawagoe has long been famous for its eel dishes.
The combination of eel grilled over charcoal, fragrant and crispy, with a sweet and savory sauce and rice is exquisite.
Enjoying lunch at one of the long-established restaurants around Ichiban-gai will make for a special meal that is uniquely Kawagoe.
Recommended store
https://kawagoeichinoya.owst.jp/
When it comes to Kawagoe specialties, sweet potatoes are definitely the first thing that comes to mind.
Ichiban-gai and Kashiya Yokocho have many specialty shops selling sweet potato soft serve ice cream, Mont Blanc cakes, baked sweet potato sweets, and more.
It's popular for eating on the go and as a souvenir.
Recommended store
https://imofukudo.com/
This local specialty is characterized by its thick, chewy noodles.
It's a great option when eel restaurants are crowded, and you can enjoy a meal at a reasonable price.
Located in the nature-rich Chichibu area, about a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from Kawagoe, this is a luxury villa available for private rental. Each villa features a semi-open-air bath, allowing you to enjoy a private soak while admiring the scenery of the four seasons.
Inside the building, you can enjoy free local alcoholic beverages.
Guests can enjoy the bar, where they can freely enjoy sake, wine, whiskey, and beer. Furthermore, the hotel is equipped with a private sauna, private pool, and dog run where you can spend time with your beloved dog, making it ideal for family trips, group trips, and trips with pets.
For dinner, you can enjoy luxurious dishes that make the most of local ingredients, such as shabu-shabu made with Saitama-produced Wagyu beef and sukiyaki using Chichibu miso. This inn is recommended for those who want to enjoy a luxurious stay surrounded by nature after sightseeing in Kawagoe.
It's about a 30-minute ride from Ikebukuro Station on the Tobu Tojo Line.
It's particularly easy to access from the Tokyo area, making it an ideal tourist destination for a day trip.
You can enjoy it to the fullest.
Major attractions such as the traditional storehouse-style buildings, the Toki no Kane (Time Bell), Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley), and Hikawa Shrine are all within walking distance.
You can fully enjoy the atmosphere of Koedo (Little Edo) in just one day.
とてもおすすめです。
The area has many flat streets that are easy to walk around, and the circulating bus service is also readily available, making it a safe and convenient place for families with young children and the elderly.
Because you can enjoy gourmet food and kimono experiences, it's also a popular destination for family trips.
Kawagoe is one of the most popular "Little Edo" towns near Tokyo.
You can enjoy historic streets, a candy alley, and local cuisine all in one day, and it's also very convenient to access.
Spend your morning strolling through the historic storehouse-lined streets, enjoy the local specialty, unaju (eel rice bowl), and then relax in a luxury resort in the afternoon to fully experience the charm of Koedo Kawagoe.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
