Saitama Kawagoe City Day Trip Must-Visit Attractions

Kawagoe City, known as "Little Kyoto," is only a 30-minute train ride from downtown Tokyo, making it easily accessible. The city combines the characteristics of the Meiji, Taisho, Showa, and Heisei eras, with its ancient streets and retro buildings creating a rich historical and cultural atmosphere for visitors. In addition, the authentic cuisine and traditional festivals are not to be missed, making Kawagoe City a popular tourist destination. Here are some must-visit attractions for a day trip: 1. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine With a history of about 1,500 years, Hikawa Shrine has been the guardian deity of the castle town and territory since the construction of Kawagoe Castle. The shrine is famous for enshrining five deities from the same family and is known as the god of family harmony, marital happiness, and love. 2. Kita-in Temple Kita-in Temple was founded by Master Jikaku in 830 AD and has a deep connection with the Tokugawa family. The temple houses a large number of statues of the disciples of Shakyamuni, known as the "500 Arhats," which took more than 50 years to complete and are a must-see. 3. Kurazukuri Street Kurazukuri architecture is a fireproof design that was widely used in the reconstruction of Kawagoe City after the great fire of 1893. Today, these buildings have become a symbol of the streets of Kawagoe, showcasing a unique historical style. 4. Kawagoe Festival Museum The Kawagoe Festival Museum showcases the history and charm of the Kawagoe Festival, especially the two festival floats, "Yatai," in the exhibition hall, which are exquisitely carved and gorgeously decorated, making it an excellent place to learn about the culture of the Kawagoe Festival. 5. Kashiya Yokocho Kashiya Yokocho is one of the famous old streets of Kawagoe, which once had more than 70 candy stores, and now still has more than 20, selling traditional Japanese candies such as konpeito and peppermint candy, making it a great place to taste authentic Japanese flavors. 6. Starbucks Kawagoe Toki no Kane Store Located on Kurazukuri Street, Starbucks Kawagoe Toki no Kane Store is adjacent to the Toki no Kane landmark, with an exterior that retains the Kurazukuri architectural style and an interior that incorporates Saitama cedar and Kawagoe's traditional fabric "Kawagoe Torizen," creating a unique Japanese-style coffee experience.