Kawagoe Day Trip from Tokyo: Little Edo, Toki no Kane and Candy Alley

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Researched guide · Checked on Nov 4, 2026

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Kawagoe, north of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, is known as “Little Edo” for its streets of old clay-walled merchant houses. With a famous bell tower, a candy alley and a shrine for good matches, it is an easy half-day or full-day trip from Tokyo.

Getting there from Tokyo

• From Ikebukuro: about 30 minutes to Kawagoe Station by express on the Tobu Tojo Line. Tobu sells a discount round-trip pass for overseas visitors at Ikebukuro Station. See our Ikebukuro guide.
• From Seibu-Shinjuku: about 45 minutes by limited express on the Seibu Shinjuku Line to Hon-Kawagoe Station, which is a little closer to the old town.
• From Shinjuku: about an hour on JR lines to Kawagoe Station.

The old town is about a 20-minute walk north of the stations, or you can take a local bus.

A day in Kawagoe

1. MorningKitain Temple
2. Walk
3. Late morningKurazukuri Street and Toki no Kane
4. Walk
5. LunchKashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley)
6. Walk
7. AfternoonHikawa Shrine

Kurazukuri Street and Toki no Kane

The main street, Ichibangai, is lined with kurazukuri, heavy clay-walled merchant houses built to resist fire. Just off the street stands Toki no Kane, the wooden “Bell of Time” tower that has been the symbol of Kawagoe for centuries. The current tower was rebuilt after a great fire in 1893.

Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley)

A narrow lane with over 20 shops selling old-fashioned Japanese sweets and snacks. Kawagoe is also known for sweet potatoes, so look for sweet potato snacks, ice cream and chips around town.

Hikawa Shrine and Kitain Temple

• Hikawa Shrine is dedicated to deities of marriage and good relationships, and is popular with couples.
• Kitain Temple is a large temple known for its garden of hundreds of stone statues of Buddha’s disciples, each with a different face.

See our shrine and temple etiquette guide before you go.

Tips

• Weekends and holidays are very crowded. Go on a weekday morning if you can.
• Rickshaw tours of the old town are a fun way to hear its history.
• Many small shops are cash only. See our money guide.
• Eat at the shop or in the seating area, not while walking through crowded streets.

Try a tea ceremony in Kawagoe

You can try a Japanese tea ceremony (chado) in Kawagoe, taught in English. The session takes about 1 hour and includes matcha and Japanese sweets. It starts about 8 minutes on foot from the East Exit of Hon-Kawagoe Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line).

It was from ¥4,854 per person when we checked on November 4, 2026. You do not get a refund if you cancel, so check your plans and the details on the booking page first.

Tours

A guided tour, including rickshaw rides or kimono rental, is an easy way to enjoy Kawagoe.

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