Tokyo's Nearby Little Edo Kawagoe - A Journey Through 400 Years of Time

For those visiting Tokyo, if you have some extra time after shopping, eating, and having fun, I recommend taking a trip to Kawagoe, which is nearby. Kawagoe is a place that preserves the buildings and atmosphere of the Edo period. Walking through the streets and alleys of Kawagoe truly feels like stepping back in time. It's very convenient to get to Kawagoe; just check online for directions from Tokyo and you can reach it directly in a little over an hour by JR train. The best part of Kawagoe is strolling through the streets, each shop has its own unique charm. The first place you should visit is the Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower). It was built 400 years ago and still chimes the hours today. Additionally, Kawagoe Ichibangai Shopping Street and Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley) are must-visit spots. Kawagoe has many Japanese craft stores, such as those selling handmade canvas backpacks. Though they are not cheap, the designs and quality are excellent. As for food, we randomly found a beef restaurant that was very delicious. Luckily, we were the first customers, so we didn't have to wait in line. The price was also reasonable, around 2000 to 3000 yen per person. We also found a dessert shop where their chestnut cake was very tasty, and the environment was lovely. If you want to have a drink, I recommend visiting the Starbucks in Kawagoe. Their decor is in the Edo period style, and inside, you'll see a large glass wall design with a beautiful garden outside. The sunlight streaming in is very beautiful. Before leaving Kawagoe, we tried a shop called Benzaiten that makes daifuku (rice cakes) with fresh fruit. In July, they used seasonal pineapples to make fruit daifuku, which were very sweet. They also have many other fruits, so give it a try.