As a series of posts, from today, we will introduce you Kawagoe (川越) an old town accessible by just 40minute-train-ride from Tokyo.
As more detail access information, from Ikebukuro (池袋), one of the major terminal stations in central Tokyo, take “Tobu Tojo Line(東武東上線)” and get off at Kawagoe(川越) or Kawagoe-shi(川越市) stations. The line is also accessible from Shiuya and even from Yokohama via Tokyu Toyoko line. Other options are also available from Shinjuku but it will take longer time and it will be easier to take Tobu Tojo line from Ikebukuro.
The old town area is 10-15minutes walk from all stations of Kawagoe central area. Tourist information stand is available at “Kawagoe” station and you will find some information in English and other languages.
Before going to some food related spots on following posts, on this page, we talk a bit about the town in general.
Kawagoe is an old town existing since 15th century. Due to the prosperity, the town has been called “Ko-Edo” (smaller Edo, Tokyo). Kawagoe Castel has not been any more but only a part of it remains as “Kawagoe Castel Honmaru Goten” (川越城本丸御殿).
The main spot of Kawagoe sightseeing is the old town area called “Kurazukuri zone” where it used to be a large commercial town in Edo Era. While looking at Kura(storehouse) style buildings and the symbolic wooden bell-tower, stroll on the main street is the main attraction of Kawagoe sightseeing. We will introduce some interesting sports in the area on following posts.
If you have extra time, it will be also good to visit a few temple or shrine scattered in the town. Each of them is located within 15minute-walk each other.
Here we put some recommendable “non-food-related” tourist spots in Kawagoe.
Kawagoe Festival Museum: where you will be able to feel a bit of the town’s vital Autumn Festival taken place on October through the parade floats and a short movie on a big screen.
Information on Kawagoe Tourist Information HP:
http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/museum/index.html#festival
Museum of Kurazukuri (Traditional Architecture): Lean more about the town’s history and its architecture
Information on Kawagoe Tourist Information HP:
http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/museum/index.html#kurazukuri
Kawagoe Castel Honmaru Goten: As explained above, it is a part of former Kawagoe Castel remained.
http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/sightseeing/highlight/index.html#honmaru
Kita-In Temple: One of the biggest temple in this area. Don’t forget seeing “500 statute of Ryokan” especially.
Official HP: http://www.kawagoe.com/kitain/english/
As a series of posts for Kawagoe, from next time, we will introduce you some food-related spots in the old town!
