Information on the main sightseeing spots and attractions of Koedo Kawagoe

Koedo Kawagoe can be reached in as little as 27 minutes from Ikebukuro using the Tobu Tojo Line. A central location for many of Kawagoe's sightseeing spots, the Kurazukuri Zone (Old storehouse zone) is lined with shops located in old-style Japanese warehouse buildings. In addition to eel dishes, kamameshi, and other local cuisine, here you can also enjoy sweets such as soft ice cream made from the town's famous sweet potatoes. In December of last year, the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival was registered as an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as a float festival. Use the economical and convenient KAWAGOE DISCOUNT PASS PREMIUM or similar option this spring to come to Kawagoe to fully enjoy a town that is now more popular than ever before.

Toki no Kane—the symbol of Kawagoe

Toki no Kane, the symbol belfry of Kawagoe which is about 16 m high, is an important historic building which has been ringing its bell to let people know the time for around 400 years. It underwent seismic retrofitting, a process that took approximately two years to complete. Afterwards, it was placed back into operation where it is illuminated at night and made to ring at certain times during the day. Presently, an electric bell rings four times a day at 6:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00.

INFO: Access: Take a bus from the East Exit of Kawagoe Station and get off at Ichibangai Bus Stop. The location is a 1-minute walk from the bus stop.

Kawagoe Festival Museum—A place which provides visitors with the
opportunity to see floats used in the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival, a float festival
which has been registered as an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

On December 1st of last year, the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival, a Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, was registered as an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as a float festival. Although the floats can be seen during the festival which is held annually on the third Saturday and Sunday of October, two of the floats are normally on display at the Kawagoe Festival Museum. Inside the museum there is a large screen which plays a video footage from the festival, allowing visitors to see what the powerful event is like.

INFO: Opening Hours: 9:30 - 18:30 (admission until 18:00) Note: Opening hours for April to September
Days Closed: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month (sometimes closed on other days as well)
Admission: General: 300 yen, Students (elementary school, junior high school ): 100 Yen
Access: Bus from East Exit of Kawagoe Station to Fudanotsuji Bus Stop. 1-minute walk from the bus stop.
Web／http://kawagoematsuri.jp/English/

Kurazukuri Zone (Old storehouse zone) (Ichibangai)

Ichibangai is the main street in Kawagoe which is lined with old buildings that form the townscape. At the Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum, you can see the design and construction of the kurazukuri buildings as well as the arrangement of each storehouse in the Ichibangai area.

INFO: Opening Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Days Closed: Mondays as well as every 4th Friday of the month for collection management purposes (sometimes closed on other days as well)
Access: Bus from East Exit of Kawagoe Station to Ichibangai Bus Stop. 1-minute walk from the bus stop.
Web: http://www.kawagoe.com/kzs/
Since it is undergoing seismic retrofitting until March 31st, visitors will be allowed to enter the section of the museum that is open without having to pay for admission.

Suisentei

Suisentei offers you the experience to enjoy eating imo kamameshi (sweet potatoes and rice cooked in a cast iron pot) cooked directly over a fire while looking at the Toki no Kane which is visible when seated on the second floor. While at Suisentei, please be sure to try an imotaro (180 yen each), a grilled sweet potato treat which is shaped like a Japanese rice ball.

INFO: Opening Hours: On the first floor, 10:30 - 18:00 (closes earlier if food is sold out); On the second floor, from 11:00 to the time when food is sold out
Days Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
Access: Bus from East Exit of Kawagoe Station to Ichibangai Bus Stop. 1-minute walk from the bus stop.
Web: http://www.kawagoe.com/suisentei/

Ryuseido

Ryuseido has been devoted to only making sweet potato confectioneries since it was established in 1947. Each of its sweet potato snacks are sliced by hand and grilled just like it was in the old days.

INFO: Opening Hours: 9:30 - 19:00
Days Closed: Mondays
Access: Take a bus from the East Exit of Kawagoe Station and get off at Kitain Temple-mae Bus Stop. The location is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.

Koedo Kurari Hasshutei

Hasshutei is a restaurant located within Koedo Kurari (Kawagoe City Industrial Tourism Center). Here you can enjoy some Coedo beer, a beer produced locally in Kawagoe, together with dishes made from special ingredients from Kawagoe.

INFO: Opening Hours: 11:00 - 15:00, 17;00 - 22:00 (11:00 - 22:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Days Closed: None (However, there are times when the restaurant may be closed temporarily.)
Access: 15-minute walk from the East Exit of Kawagoe Station.
Web: http://www.machikawa.co.jp/
Note that dishes are arranged differently according to season.

Kashiya Yokocho (Penny Candy Lane)

Kashiya Yokocho (Penny Candy Lane) has been around since the Meiji period. It is said that there were more than 70 confectioneries in this area at the beginning of the Showa period. Please be sure to visit this stone-paved section of town which will make you feel as if you have gone back in time and enjoy the simple, nostalgic tastes of candy, dango dumplings, and other tasty treats.

INFO: Opening Hours: 9:00 - 19:00
Days Closed: Irregular
Access: Bus from East Exit of Kawagoe Station to Fudanotsuji Bus Stop. 1-minute walk from the bus stop.
Web: http://www.inabaya-honpo.com/

Honmaru Goten (Keep) of Kawagoe Castle

Formerly called Hatsukari Castle, its other name, the current Kawagoe Castle was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, governor of the Kawagoe Domain in the 1st year of the Kaei era (1848). An entrance, main hall, karo assembly room, and other spaces remain to form a section of the Honmaru Goten which visitors can tour.

INFO: Opening Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Days Closed: Mondays as well as every 4th Friday of the month (sometimes closed on other days as well)
Admission: 100 yen (50 yen for high school and university students)
Access: Take a bus from the East Exit of Kawagoe Station and get off at Hakubutsukan-mae Bus Stop. The location is a 1-minute walk from the bus stop.

Ogakiku

This is a long-standing unagi (broiled eel) restaurant established in the Bunka-Bunsei period with a proud history of over 200 years. Today, it is managed by its seventh generation of owners. The eel, which dredged in a secret sauce and prepared to perfection, will impress you with its fluffy taste.

INFO: Opening Hours: 11:00 - 14:00, 16:30 - 19:30 (last order: 19:00) Note: Restaurant will close earlier if food is sold out.
Days Closed: Thursdays (may also be closed temporarily at times)
Access: Bus from East Exit of Kawagoe Station to Nakacho Bus Stop. 2-minute walk from the bus stop.
Web: http://www.koedo.com/ogakiku/

Koedo Kawagoe Vivian (kimono rental shop)

The standard clothing plan (starting from 2,160 yen) is recommended for people that have no experience with wearing traditional Japanese clothing, and includes a kimono, belt, dressing, footwear, underwear, socks, hairpin, and other items. Since necessary small articles and a simple hair set is included in the charge, you will not need to bring them with you. There is no time limit (until closing time). "Kawagoe Kimono Day" is held on the 8th, 18th, and 28th of each month. On those days, there are events at various places and services available at participating stores for those wearing kimonos.

INFO: Opening Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (open until 18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Days Closed: Tuesdays (If it is a Tuesday on which Kawagoe Kimono Day lands then the shop will close on the following day (Wednesday)).
Access: Bus from East Exit of Kawagoe Station to Ichibangai Bus Stop. 2-minute walk from the bus stop.
Web: http://www.coedovivian.com/