Kawagoe Day Trip from Tokyo
Kawagoe, just 38 kilometers from Tokyo, is affectionately known as “Little Edo.”
It’s an ideal destination for travelers eager to explore traditional Japanese architecture but short on time to visit Kyoto.
During the Edo period (1603–1868), under the Tokugawa shogunate’s rule, society was divided into four classes: samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants. This era of relative peace, with minimal warfare, sparked a cultural renaissance, giving rise to art forms like kabuki and ukiyo-e. (Interestingly, this period coincided with Europe’s Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and Britain’s Industrial Revolution.)
by Diana Bondarenko | Gene Hiew
Getting from Tokyo to Kawagoe
By JR Train - Example Route from Shinjuku:
Take the Saikyo Line Rapid (no transfers needed).
Arrives at Kawagoe Station in about 1 hour.
Fare: ¥770
Perfect for travelers with a JR Pass.
By Private Railway - Example Route from Shinjuku:
Take a train to Ikebukuro (5 minutes, ¥170).
Transfer to the Tobu Tojo Line Limited Express to Kawagoe (33 minutes, ¥490).
Total one-way fare: ¥660
Purchase the Kawagoe Discount Pass in advance for a round-trip between Ikebukuro and Kawagoe at just ¥710, saving ¥490 compared to the JR option!
One-Day Kawagoe Itinerary
Follow the route on the map below, walking the entire way, and plan for 4–6 hours of exploration.
Tips:
- Kawagoe Station opens onto a vibrant shopping street, ideal for grabbing lunch.
- Begin with the shrines, then visit Kawagoe Ichiban-gai (the main historic street) to explore without carrying souvenirs all day.
- Buses are available but run infrequently, so walking is often faster.
Kawagoe Attractions
1. Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine
Founded in 1030, the quaint Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Ōjin—the patron god of samurai symbolizing victory, courage, prosperity, and compassion—is one of many Hachimangu shrines across Japan, most established independently rather than as branches of a single shrine, and it’s set to celebrate its millennium in 2030.
Hours: Open 24/7
Admission: Free
Time needed: ~15 minutes
Website: kawagoe-hachimangu.net
Watch: 歷史和傳統的神聖之地 川越八幡宮
2. Kita-in Temple
Founded in 830, the 1,200-year-old Kita-in Temple, a Buddhist site largely rebuilt in the 17th century after a devastating fire in 1638, dazzles in autumn with stunning foliage and features 533 stone statues of Arhats, each with a unique facial expression, alongside five sacred statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Buddhism 101:
- Arhat: A perfected being who has escaped suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
- Bodhisattva: A compassionate being who delays enlightenment to guide others, often appearing in human or animal form.
- Buddha: An awakened one who fully grasps cosmic truth and teaches the path to liberation.
Hours: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Admission: Adults ¥400 / Children ¥200
Time needed: 15–30 minutes
Website: kitain.net
Watch: 川越大師喜多院 Kawagoe Daishi Kita In
3. Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten
Built in 1457 as a vital northern stronghold for Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Kawagoe Castle fell into decline due to war and neglect, with only the Honmaru Goten—its feudal lord’s residence and administrative hub featuring audience halls, study rooms, kitchens, and living quarters—rebuilt in 1848. After the Meiji Restoration, most of the palace was dismantled to cut costs and align with Japan’s push to Westernize, leaving just the entrance gate and reception halls. This compact site offers a serene escape with few crowds, inviting you to wander its rooms and gardens to envision the daily life of Edo-period samurai elites.
Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Closed: Mondays and the fourth Friday of each month
Admission: Adults ¥100 / High school and college students ¥50 / Free for middle school students and younger
Time needed: 15–30 minutes
Website: city.kawagoe.saitama.jp
Watch: 日本100名城(埼玉県川越市)Kawagoe Castle
4. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Founded in 541, this 1,500-year-old shrine is one of Japan’s most celebrated “power spots” for love, drawing visitors who pray for family happiness and harmonious relationships. Hikawa (氷川), meaning “ice river,” refers to a sacred stream believed to cleanse sins.
Unique Experiences:
- ¥300: Try tai (seabream) fortune fishing—use a bamboo pole to “catch” a ceramic fish with a paper fortune about love or health.
- ¥500: Purchase an ema (wooden wish plaque), write your wish, and hang it in the shrine’s enchanting tunnel of ema.
- Second and fourth Sundays monthly (¥100): Purify misfortunes by floating a paper doll (hitogata) down the shrine’s stream.
- July to early September: The Wind Chime Festival, with over 2,000 chimes, creates a magical atmosphere.
Hours: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Admission: Free
Time needed: 15–30 minutes
Bus Access: Get off at the “Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine” stop
Website: kawagoehikawa.jp
Photo Highlights:
by Letian Zhang | Yuika Takamura | Hiroshi Tsubono
Watch: 川越氷川神社、縁結び風鈴
5. Shingashi River
Nestled beside Hikawa Shrine, the Shingashi River’s banks burst into a breathtaking display from late March to early April, when around 300 cherry blossom trees along a 500-meter stretch bloom vibrantly. For 1–2 days during this season, visitors can enjoy a 10-minute boat ride (¥1,000 per person) to admire the blossoms, but advance reservations are required, as tickets are not available on-site.
Photo Highlights:
by Lucius Hunter
6. Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley)
This charming 80-meter alley near Kawagoe’s Ichiban-gai once housed over 70 candy and snack shops during the early Showa period (1926–1989). Today, 20–30 shops offer traditional Japanese sweets and snacks, earning the affectionate nickname “nostalgic snack street” for evoking cherished childhood memories.
Watch: Kawagoe Penny Candy Lane 川越菓子屋横丁
7. Kawagoe Ichiban-gai (Kurazukuri Street)
Kawagoe’s iconic 400-meter shopping street showcases the Edo period’s distinctive “kurazukuri” architecture, earning the nickname “Warehouse-Style Old Street.” These fire-resistant buildings, developed in the late Edo period, feature black-tiled roofs and thick, black or dark gray walls.
Visitors can enjoy:
- Traditional shops: Beyond souvenirs, explore time-honored stores offering wagashi (Japanese sweets), miso, tea, and more.
- Local snacks: Savor Kawagoe’s famous sweet potato specialties, like sweet potato ice cream and fried chips.
- Toki no Kane clock tower: This 16-meter wooden landmark, chiming at 6 AM, noon, 3 PM, and 6 PM, has kept time for 400 years.
- Yukata strolls: Rent a summer kimono from local shops for an authentic Edo-era experience.
The street buzzes with energy during the Kawagoe Festival on the third weekend of October, featuring spectacular Edo-style float parades.
Photo Highlights:
by Diana Bondarenko
Watch: The street with the most Edo-style hidden old houses
Watch: Kawagoe Festival 2024
8. Taisho Roman-dori (Taisho Romantic Street)
This charming 160-meter street, just south of Kawagoe’s Ichiban-gai, captures the Taisho era’s (1912–1926) unique blend of Western and Japanese influences. Its picturesque streetscape, with Western-style brick buildings alongside traditional wooden structures, is quieter but transforms from mid-March to early May with vibrant koinobori (carp streamers) for Children’s Day on May 5, symbolizing perseverance and strength for children’s growth.
Watch: Taisho Romantic Dream Street Koi Nobori
9. Kumano Shrine
Founded in 1590 as a branch of Wakayama’s Kumano Hongu Taisha, this shrine honors multiple deities from Japanese mythology, offering blessings for health, marriage, prosperity, and protection.
Unique Features:
- Barefoot pebble path: Walk this path to stimulate acupressure points, promoting health.
- Money-washing basin: Rinse 5-yen or 50-yen coins to attract wealth.
- Yatagarasu emblem: A three-legged crow, Kumano’s sacred messenger, guides visitors toward brighter futures.
- Anime pilgrimage: Fans of Tsuki ga Kirei can visit this featured location—details here.
Hours: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Admission: Free
Time needed: ~15 minutes
Website: kawagoe-kumano.jp
Watch: 川越熊野神社 - 東京自由行 2024
Enjoy your Kawagoe adventure!