Kawagoe Things to Do

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Kawagoe is most famous for its storehouse district, a street lined with historic Meiji Period buildings that serve as reminders of old Edo. It is one of the 62 designated Traditional Historic Preservation Districts (number 6). The buildings here are clay-walled structures that are resistant to fire and protected on the outside by a layer of plaster. Most of the buildings housed shops of local tradesmen. The black color is a notable feature of the kurazukuri and definitely feels different from other historic districts in Japan.

Some highlights of the district include the famous Bell Tower (Toki no Kane), the town's icon. The current tower dates back to 1894. It was built to keep track of time. Today they ring the bell at 6am, noon, 3pm, and 6pm. The sound is on the list of Japan's top 100 sounds.

There are a few museums here, the Kurazukuri Museum (allowing you to wander around inside one of the historic buildings and to get a better look at the architecture), the Kawagoe Festival Museum (featuring the floats and information about the city's famous festival), and the Hattori Museum of Folklore, which is actually half of a shop and features some artifacts from its old days, including one of the first signs of the Shiseido company from when it was a drugstore prior to its becoming the famous cosmetic company it is today. You can also see what they used to make the storehouses black. There is nothing related to folklore in the folklore museum.

The oldest structure is the Osawa House built in 1792. Although it is just used as a shop, it is an important historic site.

Aside from the Kurazukuri Museum and the Kawagoe Festival Museum, which cost 100 yen each to enter, the other attractions are free.

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The Honmaru Goten was built as part of an expansion of Kawagoe Castle. The current structure dates back to 1848. It is the only structure from the castle that still exists today. Since the castle is on the list of the nation's top 100 castles, this is where to go if you're visiting the castles.

Inside you can get a look at where the lords met and see the small garden. There are also a few artifacts and exhibits on display, along with a diagram that shows where the original castle was in relation to the modern city.

Entrance is only 100 yen.

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The Kurazukuri Museum is located in one of the old storehouses, giving visitors an opportunity to get an inside look. There are some artifacts but not so many, but since most of the buildings are not open to tour (most have been converted into shops so you can only go in as far as the shop) it's still nice to see more of the inside of the storehouses. This museum in particular used to be a tobacco shop. They also have a large example of the roof architecture at eye-level so that you can get a closer look at it.

It's actually worth the 100 yen entrance fee just to get their information, which they have in English if you ask, and it provides details about the town and architecture.

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The Okashiya Yokocho is a small historic street that branches off from the main street of storehouses. It is known both historically and today as a place to buy sweets and snacks. The snacks are mostly traditional, ranging from senbei to more stereotypical sweets, like sugar candies and lollipops.

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Hikawa Shrine is said to date back to the 6th century. It was once part of the Hikawa Shrine in Saitama City but later separated. The current structure was built during the Edo Period by Matsudaira Naritsune. The hidden part of the shrine is actually intricately carved and impressive, so try to get a view from the sides (I tried to get a picture, but it's too dark to really see it). It is said to enshrine the gods of marriage, although when I was there there many couples brought babies to be blessed.

Entrance to the shrine grounds is free.

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Kitain is a head temple of Tendaishu Buddhist sects in Kanto District built in 830. The fire in 1638 destroyed the temple leaving only the main gate. Iemitsu, the third Tokugaw Shogun ordered the reconstruction on the temple moving some parts of the Edo castle to Kitain temple. This was to grant the wish of Tenkai Sojo (the archbishop during the 16th century who made Kitain famous and thriving).

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Kawagoe was under the influence of Edo culture. Kurazukuri is a symbol of influence of Edo culture. In the golden days there were more than 200 of these buildings, but today only a few dozen are lined up along the main streets of Motomachi, Saiwaicho and Nakacho. Since Tokyo has lost its classic atmosphere, Karazukuri or the thick black walled sotres, allowed us to imagine the streets of the Edo era.

Tokino Kane or Bell Tower is a 16 meter above ground tower that serves as a symbol of Kawagoe. It was rebuilt in 1893 after it was destroyed by a big fire. The first tower was created in 1624. Today you can hear the bell chimes every 6:00 in the morning, 12:00 noon, 3:00 in the afternoon and 6:00 in the evening.