The primary time I visited Japan, I made a particular be aware of the “Huge Three” day journeys from Tokyo: Nikko within the mountains; Kamakura on the ocean; and Kawagoe…again in time?
For sure, amid a busy journey schedule (and with loads of historical constructions and customs round me all through my journey, no matter the place I used to be), the third of those choices merely wasn’t as compelling as the opposite two. To the extent, I ought to be aware, that it took me virtually 5 years after first setting foot in Japan to go to Kawagoe.
Fortunately, it was greater than definitely worth the wait. Even higher, I’ve now been again a couple of occasions—and I’m assured I’ve crafted the proper Kawagoe day journey.
Easy methods to Get to Kawagoe from Tokyo
The only option to journey from Tokyo to Kawagoe is to first experience to Ikebukuro Station, which is each on the JR Yamanote Line, and can also be related to the remainder of central Tokyo through the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line. From there, comply with the indicators to the Tobu Strains, the place the Tobu Tojo Line can take you to Kawagoe Station in about 45 minutes. Word that some trains could also be barely slower or quicker than this.
When you get to Kawagoe Station, in the meantime, you’ll face a alternative. If the climate is sweet and you’ve got time, you may stroll into the center of the previous city in about 20-Half-hour. Alternatively, common metropolis buses can take you to all main points of interest in a fraction of that point. I often desire strolling if I can, and this permits me to get much more enthusiastic about the whole lot I’ll do and see as soon as I arrive within the metropolis heart!
What to Do in Kawagoe
Stroll down “Sweet Alley”
The unhealthy information? There isn’t almost as a lot sweet alongside Kashiya Yokocho as its English title (Sweet Alley) would recommend. The excellent news? There are nonetheless loads of treats available, specifically numerous concoctions (my private favourite being soft-serve ice cream) made with locally-grown candy potatoes (extra on these in a minute>
Lean into Kawagoe’s Edo aesthetic
The subsequent most sensible addition to any Kawagoe itinerary is Toki-no-kane, a late-Nineteenth century bell tower which is each the image of town and its most conspicuous architectural connection to the Edo interval. That is the most well-liked vacationer attraction on the town, although I’m additionally keen on Taisho Roman Road.
Eat unagi or imo
I’m not an enormous fan of unagi—sorry to anybody who does like eel. On the identical time, I did eat a kamameshi rice bowl containing it throughout my final go to to town. Certainly, even when you can’t abdomen the tamest model of this creature in your Kawagoe journey, you will get your culinary repair by consuming objects made with candy potatoes (imo).
Go to a novel shrine
For Asian vacationers who journey to Kawagoe from Tokyo, Hikawa Shrine is a must-visit cease, with deities governing relationships and matchmaking amongst these which were enshrined there for the reason that sixth century. You gained’t see many Westerners right here, which is a bit surprising if I’m trustworthy, given how visually spectacular it’s.
Take pleasure in a seasonal spectacle
In an excellent world, you’ll come to Kawagoe in early April, and stroll below cherry blossoms alongside the Shingashi River. Nevertheless, there are different seasonal spectacles to get pleasure from at much less busy occasions of the yr. I’m pondering particularly about the pink spider lilies at Kinchakuda Manjushage Park in Hidaka metropolis, about an hour west of Kawagoe by automobile.
Ought to You Keep In a single day in Kawagoe?
On one hand, Kawagoe is residence to a couple cute lodging, and so they are typically priced way more affordably (and, importantly, function a lot bigger rooms) than most motels in Tokyo. I’m pondering particularly concerning the small and genuine Musubiya inn and Ryokan Matsumuraya which, as its title suggests, is a conventional Japanese visitor home with choices for half and full board.
However, except you intend to discover Saitama locations past Kawagoe, or just wish to take your time exploring town (and to see it after day trippers have left), then my Kawagoe day journey itinerary must be completely enough. Even when you depart very early from Ikebukuro or plan on coming again very late, the truth is that the previous city merely isn’t sufficiently big to occupy greater than half a day of most vacationers’ time.
Different FAQ About Taking a Kawagoe Day Journey
Is Kawagoe price visiting?
Kawagoe is certainly price a go to, regardless of your curiosity in Edo-period structure. The upside of it being a lot less-known than Nikko or Kamakura is two-fold: There are fewer crowds (who keep for a shorter time period) right here; what you do discover once you arrive will most likely exceed your expectations, since you gained’t have had many.
Is Kawagoe day journey price it?
A Kawagoe day journey is totally price it. Which is to say that I don’t suppose most individuals might want to go to the trouble or expense of reserving a resort with the intention to get pleasure from themselves. Certainly, given that you’re unlikely to spend longer than an hour every option to and from town, you gained’t want to remain lengthy in central Kawagoe to get a excessive ROI.
How a lot does a day journey to Kawagoe price?
A neighborhood Tobu practice from Ikebukuro to Kawagoe prices as little as ¥500 each-way; even when including buses on the Kawagoe finish and native trains on the Tokyo finish, plus a modest lunch, it’s very attainable to go to Kawagoe for much less (perhaps considerably much less) than ¥5,000 per individual.
The Backside Line
I hope I’ve impressed you to take a Kawagoe day journey. And I hope you’ll look previous my hypocrisy in doing so—it did, in spite of everything, take me virtually half a decade after setting foot in Japan for the primary time to lastly go to Kawagoe myself. Fortunately, regardless of once you go to the shining star of Saitama prefecture, I feel you’ll end up impressed. This may show very true when you come round October 1 and are capable of see the pink spider lilies simply outdoors of city, or are in any other case capable of mix “Little Edo” with different close by locations. Talking of which, if you’d like customized assist taking your subsequent journey to the subsequent stage, I do hope you’re take into account hiring me to plan it.