Kawagoe: A Historic Getaway Outside Tokyo

Located just outside of Tokyo, with historic streets and preserved merchant buildings calling back to eras long gone, the city of Kawagoe is often affectionately called “Koedo,” or “Little Edo,” in reference to the nostalgic atmosphere that makes many parts of the city feel like Tokyo in its “Edo” era (1603-1868). The city has become a magnet for history lovers, photographers, and other travelers of all kinds, thanks to the picturesque historic districts where carefully maintained architecture calls back to Japan’s samurai days, or even the retro feel of the more recent Taisho period (1912-1926), and ancient shrines that still draw crowds.

With the city so easily accessible from Tokyo in the modern day, Kawagoe is often thought of as an easy day-trip from Tokyo. But there’s so much to see, and even more to eat, leaving many travelers with much more than they can comfortably fit into a few hours in the middle of the day. Adding a night in Kawagoe to your travel plans can transform a rushed sightseeing stop into a relaxing part of your journey through Japan. Join the Japankuru team as we show you how you can spend the day exploring at your own pace, enjoy dinner without worrying about the train schedule, and wake up ready for your next destination.

Our Overnight Travel Itinerary for Kawagoe, Saitama

How to Get to Kawagoe From Tokyo

One of the reasons why Kawagoe has become such a beloved travel destination is its easy access from Tokyo. Hop on the Tobu-Tojo Line at Ikebukuro Station (a major transportation hub, connecting multiple JR lines and Tokyo subway lines), and you can get to Kawagoe Station in just about 30 minutes. Not bad for a destination that looks like a set from a historical film!

Drop Off Your Luggage Near Kawagoe Station, at Kawagoe Tobu Hotel

Start your trip to Kawagoe by giving yourself the freedom to really enjoy the city! Head out the West Exit of Kawagoe Station and down the covered walkway to find Kawagoe Tobu Hotel, inside the U_PLACE complex. The hotel’s only about two minutes from the station, so even if it’s much too early to check in, the 7th-floor lobby is a very convenient place to leave your luggage.

Before heading out, take a look at the Koedo Kawagoe Walking Map (コエド川越おさんぽMAP) on the wall of the hotel lobby. It’s marked with some of the city’s most famous attractions, as well as local food and shopping recommendations straight from the staff! You can use the lobby’s practical seating (and free coffee machine) to take a moment and plan out your route for the day, and even ask the hotel staff for some recommendations if you want to explore more—with your bags safely stored and your day mapped out, you’ll be all ready to explore!

Kawagoe Tobu Hotel (川越東武ホテル)
U_PLACE 7F~, 8-1 Wakita Honcho, Kawagoe, Saitama
Check-in/Check-out: 14:00 / 11:00
Official Website (en)

Visit Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine for Luck, Love, and Summer Wind Chimes

Head to the other side of Kawagoe Station to catch the bus to one of the city’s best-known landmarks, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This Shinto shrine is said to have been established in the sixth century, and it has long been associated with love, from matchmaking to enduring relationships. If you’re hoping for a little luck in that department, make sure to toss 5 yen into the offering box and give your regards to the gods enshrined within.

The shrine’s leafy grounds offer a peaceful place to begin your time in Kawagoe, but the path circling around the main sanctuary is the reason for many visits. Throughout the year, the left path is framed with a lattice hung heavy with “ema” boards, each one inscribed with the wishes and dreams of fellow shrine visitors. In the summer, the right path is decorated for the annual Enmusubi Wind Chime, allowing you to stroll beneath rows and rows of colorful glass chimes that sway in the breeze overhead, filling the shrine with delicate sound—and creating Kawagoe’s most picture-perfect summer scenery, straight out of a fairytale.

Before you leave, don’t forget to “go fishing” for a fish-shaped omikuji fortune, or “dig” for a sweet-potato-shaped one!

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (川越氷川神社)
2-11-3 Miyashitamachi, Kawagoe, Saitama
Hours: 8:00 – 16:30
Official Website (jp)

Try Kawagoe Udon for Lunch

After exploring the shrine, it’s time to set out on foot for Kawagoe’s historic district, but we recommend stopping for a satisfying bowl of udon on the way! Saitama Prefecture is part of the historic Musashino agricultural region, where plentiful wheat helped to encourage strong udon traditions, and to this day Saitama produces more udon than almost any other prefecture in Japan. Kawagoe’s chewy, firm udon noodles are available piping hot in warm broth, chilled with dipping sauce, or any of a dozen other preparations, which makes it lovely on cold winter days, hot summer afternoons, and everything in between. Plus, with plenty of street food waiting along Kawagoe’s historic streets, a bowl of udon will leave you a little extra room for snacking!

Spend the Afternoon Strolling Candy Alley & the Kurazukuri District

Next, make your way toward Kashiya Yokocho, sometimes translated to “Candy Alley.” This loop of old-fashioned alleyways is studded with little shops selling colorful hard candies, rice crackers, traditional sweets, and other nostalgic Japanese snacks, which means it’s the perfect place to find a little sweet treat to nibble on after lunch. It’s also a fun place to browse for small souvenirs, especially for friends and family who like to try new treats!

Kashiya Yokocho (菓子屋横丁)
2-11-3 Motomachi, Kawagoe, Saitama

Stroll another few minutes on foot through Kawagoe’s backstreets, and you’ll quickly find your way to the city’s famous Kurazukuri district, so-called for the amazing traditional architecture lining the streets. The main road is crowded with heavy, dark-walled Japanese-style buildings, originally constructed as warehouses in the Edo period (1603-1868), with sturdy architecture chosen by wealthy merchants to protect their businesses from fire. Of course, it’s no longer a warehouse district, and the traditional buildings now house unique boutiques, gift shops, cafes, restaurants, and even small museums.

Kurazukuri Street (蔵造りの町並み)
Saiwaicho, Kawagoe, Saitama

Turn down one particularly bustling street at just the right time, and you might be startled by a loud ringing from above. The Toki no Kane Bell Tower is one of Kawagoe’s most recognizable landmarks, and the historic bell still rings four times a day to tell the time, just as it has for centuries.

Toki no Kane Bell Tower (時の鐘)
15-7 Saiwaicho, Kawagoe, Saitama

While you’re in the area, this part of Kawagoe is a treasure trove of street food, and some of the most popular options revolve around Kawagoe’s famous sweet potatoes. Wander the area, and you’ll find shops selling sweet potato ice cream, sweet potato cakes, and Japan’s classic roast sweet potatoes, but we particularly recommend trying the eye-catching sweet potato chips, which are long, thin, and very lightly salted. Each cup of the crispy chips comes with a free dipping sauce, including both sweet and salty options, to match whatever you’re in the mood for. 

Indulge in Kawagoe Eel for Dinner

Kawagoe is busy through the afternoon, but when the waves of day-trippers start to head back to Tokyo, you can stay behind and enjoy a quieter side of the city. As the stores begin to close and the streets start to empty, the beauty of Kawagoe’s historic architecture really shines in the fading light—a sight that far fewer visitors get to enjoy!

The extra time in the evening provides a chance to enjoy another Kawagoe specialty. Many parts of Saitama Prefecture have long been known for unagi, freshwater eel, which is grilled over charcoal and brushed with a rich, savory-sweet sauce to deepen the flavor. Traditional unaju—grilled eel served over rice in a lacquered box—is an appropriately indulgent conclusion to a full day spent discovering Kawagoe’s history and food culture. And with your hotel waiting nearby, there’s no need to rush through dinner or (much worse) worry about navigating the crowded evening trains. Take your time, enjoy Kawagoe’s magical evening atmosphere, and return to Kawagoe Tobu Hotel whenever you’re ready.

Head Back to a Quiet Evening at Kawagoe Tobu Hotel

Kawagoe Tobu Hotel opened on the upper floors of the U_PLACE complex near Kawagoe Station in June 2020, and ever since it has served as a convenient base for travelers looking to make the most of their time in “Little Edo.” The interiors are modern, but keen-eyed guests will notice subtle nods to Kawagoe’s historic storehouse district, connecting the practical hotel with the whimsy of the city outside. Alongside the nice seating area mentioned earlier, the 7th-floor lobby also has a handy currency exchange machine, and coin-operated laundry machines useful for families or anyone on a longer trip.

Check in using the automated machines at the front desk, and take the elevator up to find the hotel’s simple, stylish, and practical guest rooms—equipped with large smart TVs (where you can check laundry machine availability) and bedside tablets to control the heat and lights, convenient USB charging ports, free Wi-Fi, and air purifiers with humidifying functions.

The standard Double is especially good for solo travelers, while Comfort Double provides a little extra space as well as separate bath, toilet, and sink areas, and the Twin works well for friends and couples who want more room. Families and other groups of 3 will want to check out the Corner Triple Room, which offers a Japanese-style room layout: 3 low beds resting on floors that evoke tatami mats, perfect for toddling kids or anyone who likes to stretch out on the floor. Book the right room for you and your travel companions, and the luxurious Slumberland beds will have you drifting off in no time.

Start the Morning With Breakfast at “Kawagoe Makibi Ryori in the park”

The next morning, when you’re finally ready to get out of your comfy bed, you can head down to the 2nd floor of U_PLACE to find “Kawagoe Makibi Ryori in the park” serving breakfast. The airy dining space offers a breakfast buffet with a mix of Japanese and Western dishes incorporating ingredients and specialties from Saitama. Alongside eggs, French toast, sausages, soups, and a salad bar, the buffet often serves up local dishes like Kawagoe’s thick-noodle yakisoba and candied sweet potatoes, as well as rice grown in Saitama prefecture and miso soup made with locally produced barley miso. Breakfast offers one last taste of the region, leaving you full of energy and ready to see more of Japan!

In the Park
U_PLACE 2F, 8-1 Wakita Honcho, Kawagoe, Saitama
Breakfast Hours: 6:30 – 10:00 (last order 9:30)
Hotel Page (en) | Official Website (jp)

▶︎ If you want to get a little shopping done before check-out, U_PLACE not only has some interesting eateries (including a beer hall focused on COEDO craft beer), but also a helpful 100 yen store, and even some places to pick up souvenirs! Hotel guests can even show their card key for a discount or freebie at many of the shops and restaurants.

Add Kawagoe as an Overnight Stop on Your Trip to Japan

Once breakfast is finished and you’ve had your fill of Saitama specialties, Kawagoe Station is just a short walk away. Kawagoe may be close enough that it’s possible to visit for a few hours, but staying overnight is a much more immersive experience. Next time you’re ready to get out of Tokyo, don’t just follow the crowds, rush through meals, and squeeze onto the packed trains at the end of the afternoon! Stay in Kawagoe, and you can slow down, take your time exploring the city, and enjoy all of the beautiful scenery long after the crowds have thinned.

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