Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture

Kawagoe City is located slightly south of central Saitama Prefecture and has a population of over 350,000.
Kawagoe flourished as a castle town in the Edo period.It is said that the city came to be called “Koedo” (Little Edo) because its warehouse-styled streets and float festivals retain the atmosphere of Edo.
It is said that the name “Koedo” was given to the town because of the Edo atmosphere it still retains.It is a popular sightseeing spot among foreign tourists as well, with many spots that make you want to take pictures of them.Let us introduce you to Kawagoe, a city full of sights and attractions that are fun just to walk around.

The Bell of Time

Toki no Kane (Bell of Time)” is a popular photo spot.As its name suggests, it is the symbol of Koedo Kawagoe, which has been telling the time by ringing a bell.
The bell rings four times a day at 6:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.There are many restaurants in the neighborhood, and many Snacks are sold for eating while walking.
Kawagoe produced a very large amount of sweet potatoes until the 1960s and was a major production area.Because of this, the image of Kawagoe as a sweet potato is well established, and many Snacks made from sweet potatoes are sold here.There is also a store where you can drink Coedo beer, Kawagoe’s local beer that has won numerous awards in international competitions.

The Bell of Time
15-7 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama
https://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/welcome/kankospot/kurazukurizone/tokinokane.html

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

There are many shrines and temples in Kawagoe.Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is especially popular.It is very popular as a god of marriage, and many people visit every day.
The unique omikuji, a fortune in the shape of a sea bream that you catch yourself, is also popular. Most people think of romance when they hear the word “enmusubi,” but the meaning of “bringing together” applies not only to love, but to all human relationships, so it is recommended for people who want to connect with each other.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
2-11-3 Miyashita-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama
tel;049-224-0589
https://www.kawagoehikawa.jp/#/

Kikisakezakaya Showagura

This is a store where you can drink and buy local sake from Saitama Prefecture.It is recommended for those who like sake or are interested in sake.
You can enjoy sake from all breweries in Saitama Prefecture at the sake comparison corner for a fee.

At the drinking corner, you will receive three medals for 500 yen. Take out a paper cup and choose your favorite sake. The number of medals varies depending on the sake. Some sake can be drunk with one medal, some with two, and some with three.

Kiki Sake Shop Showa Kura
1-10-1 Shintomi-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama
TEL: 049-229-6110
Business hours: 11:00-19:00
https://www.machikawa.co.jp/sake

Kawagoe Festival Hall

The Kawagoe Festival is held every year in October and is characterized by float events that recreate the Tenka Matsuri of Edo period in the present day.
In 2005, the Kawagoe Festival was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan as a float event of the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival, and in 2016, it was registered as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO as a Yamato, Hoko, and Yatai event.This facility conveys the history and charm of the Kawagoe Festival.Visitors can see the gorgeous floats in all their splendor.
Please come and see the beauty and power of the floats that have been built over a long period of time.

Kawagoe Festival Hall
2-1-10 Motomachi, Kawagoe City
TEL: 049-225-2727
Hours of operation: Varies depending on the time of year.
9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission until 6:00 p.m. (April to September)
9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Admission until 5:00 p.m. (October – March)
Closed on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month (if the day falls on a national holiday, the museum is closed the following day)
Year-end and New Year holidays (December 29-January 1), temporary closing days, etc. Admission: ¥300 for adults (¥240 for groups of 20 or more) ¥100 for elementary and junior high school students (¥80 for groups of 20 or more) *Please contact Kawagoe Matsuri Kaikan in advance for group reservations*.
https://kawagoematsuri.jp/matsurimuseum/

Chabudai, a Japanese-style house with an open-air porch and a kimono shop

*Not affiliated with Guest House Chabudai*.
This is a reuse (recycle) kimono shop. (We do not rent kimonos.) There are many kimono rental shops in Kawagoe.In Kawagoe, there are many kimono rental stores, and you can stroll around the town wearing kimono.
This store does not rent kimonos, but they deal in reused (recycled) kimonos, so you can buy them very inexpensively.The store staff will show you new ways to enjoy kimonos, such as wearing them like a coat over your regular clothes or enjoying your original coordination.

There are also obis, obi cords, obi stoppers, and other small accessories, so you may want to start with the accessories and incorporate them into your fashion.
This store is also introduced in the web series “Sheila’s Kimono Once in a Lifetime” by Sheila Cliff, a kimono researcher and professor emeritus at Jumonji University Women’s University.

Enko-Chabudai Kimono-Ya
2-6-6 Motomachi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama
tel:090-2498-0852
Business hours: 10:00-17:00
Closed: Thursday
https://encyab.thebase.in/
Web series “Sheila’s Kimono Once in a Lifetime” by Sheila Cliff, kimono researcher and professor emeritus at Jumonji University Women’s University

Guest House Chabudai

*Engawa, Chabudai, Kimono-ya have nothing to do with Chabudai*.
This guesthouse was renovated from an old private house over 100 years old.There are dormitory and 2 private rooms for accommodation.Depending on the time and day of the week, a café and bar are also open for guests who are not staying overnight.In the courtyard, there is a store of Sawaguchi Meganeisha, an optician specializing in custom-made handmade eyeglass frames.
*Only frames are available, so lenses are not available*.
Sawaguchi Meganeisha is a popular store where customers wait up to a year for their order to be delivered. It is open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, so you may be lucky if it is open.

This round table is called chabudai. This dining table was often used in Japanese households in the past. Since chair-style dining tables became popular, the number of households using this type of table has decreased.
Guesthouse Chabudai is a place where people gather and talk over a chabudai. We hope you will enjoy your time with the people of Kawagoe, the staff of the restaurant, the guests of the guesthouse, and the people who visit this place.

Guest House Chabudai
1-14 Mikubo-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama
Phone number: 049-214-1617 (Hours: 8:00-11:00, 16:00-22:00)
For lodging reservations, please visit our website at
https://www.chabudai-kawagoe.com/

Sawaguchi Optician
tel:080-7295-8008
Business hours: 10:00~17:00
Open: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (with occasional holidays)
Reservations preferred (you can come in without a reservation if available)
https://sawaguchi-meganesha.com/