Neighbourhood in Kawagoe
Kawagoe old town
川越
'Little Edo' north of Tokyo: a street of black clay-walled warehouse shops, a wooden bell tower, an alley of old sweet shops and big temples.
- places to see
- 10
- walk past the highlights
- 2.8 km
- Saitama
- Kawagoe
Kawagoe is known as Little Edo for its many historic buildings. A great fire in 1893 destroyed about a third of the old town, and merchants rebuilt in kurazukuri style, the thick clay walls of traditional storehouses, to keep the next fire out. The main street of these black warehouse shops keeps the look of the Edo period.
The Bell of Time, a wooden bell tower, still rings four times a day. Nearby, Kashiya Yokochō is a small alley where about a dozen shops sell old-fashioned cheap sweets. Kita-in temple and Hikawa Shrine are a longer walk. More of the city is in our Kawagoe guide.
Don't miss in Kawagoe old town
Start with these, then wander the side streets.
1. Toki no Kane (Bell of Time)
時の鐘Wooden bell tower over the old street, still rung four times a day.
2. Osawa Residence
大沢家住宅The oldest of the clay-walled kurazukuri shop houses, built in the 18th century.
3. Kashiya Yokocho
菓子屋横丁Alley of old-fashioned sweet shops selling cheap candy and sweet potato snacks.
4. Kawagoe Festival Museum
川越まつり会館Museum with two of the giant floats from the Kawagoe Festival.
5. Hikawa Shrine
氷川神社Shrine where many come to pray for love, with wind chimes in summer.
6. Kita-in Temple
喜多院Big temple with hundreds of stone disciple statues and rooms moved from Edo Castle.
Walk Kawagoe old town in order
The highlights as one easy walk, about 2.8 km in all.
Stop 1
Toki no Kane (Bell of Time)
Start here
Stop 2
Osawa Residence
2 min walk
Stop 3
Kawagoe Festival Museum
1 min walk
Stop 4
Kashiya Yokocho
2 min walk
Stop 5
Hikawa Shrine
13 min walk
Stop 6
Kita-in Temple
19 min walk
More around Kawagoe old town
Other places within walking distance. Each shows its Japanese name for maps and taxis.
Kawagoe Textile Market
川越織物市場A place to visit in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Kawagoe City Art Museum
川越市立美術館A museum in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Yaoko Kawagoe Museum
ヤオコー川越美術館A museum in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Senba Tosho-gu
仙波東照宮A Shinto shrine in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Kawagoe old town on the map
Every place on this page. Tap a pin for directions.
Questions
Why is Kawagoe called Little Edo?
Because of its many historic buildings that keep the look of old Edo, the former name of Tokyo, especially the warehouse shops rebuilt after the fire of 1893.
When does the Bell of Time ring?
Four times a day, at 6 am, noon, 3 pm and 6 pm.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.