🏮 Kawagoe (Little Edo): A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Time-Traveling Japan!

#holidayitinerary ### **Why Visit Kawagoe?** Just **30 minutes from Tokyo**, Kawagoe (川越) is a **perfectly preserved Edo-era town** nicknamed "Little Edo" (小江戸). Wander its **kurazukuri (clay-walled warehouse) streets**, hear the iconic **Toki no Kane bell tower**, and savor sweet potato treats—all while soaking in a nostalgic atmosphere that feels worlds away from modern Tokyo . --- ### **Top Attractions** 1. **Kurazukuri Street** - Lined with **17th-century merchant warehouses**, this photogenic area survived the 1893 Great Fire. Don’t miss the **Starbucks in a traditional warehouse** . - *Pro Tip*: Visit **Ichibangai Shopping Street** for local crafts and snacks . 2. **Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower)** - A **16-meter wooden tower** that chimes at 6 AM, noon, 3 PM, and 6 PM. The current structure dates to 1894 . 3. **Kitain Temple** - Home to **538 whimsical Rakan statues** (each with unique expressions) and buildings relocated from Edo Castle . 4. **Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine** - A **1,500-year-old shrine** famous for matchmaking. Grab a "love stone" pebble for luck in romance . 5. **Candy Alley (Kashiya Yokocho)** - A nostalgic lane selling **old-school Japanese sweets** like sweet potato chips and rice crackers . 6. **Taisho-Roman Street** - A retro-futuristic stretch of **1920s Western-style buildings**, ideal for vintage photos . --- ### **Solo Traveler Tips** - **Getting There**: - From **Ikebukuro Station**, take the Tobu Tojo Line (30 mins, ¥500) to Kawagoe Station . - From **Shinjuku**, take the Seibu Shinjuku Line to Hon-Kawagoe Station (1 hour) . - **Transport**: Use the **Co-Edo Loop Bus** (¥600/day) to hop between sights . - **Eats**: Try **Kawagoe’s sweet potato specialties**—ice cream, beer, and even coffee! . - **Hidden Gem**: **Renkeiji Temple** features a serene garden and Tokugawa crest . --- ### **Seasonal Highlights** - **October**: **Kawagoe Festival** with ornate floats (UNESCO-listed) . - **Spring**: Cherry blossoms at **Shingashi River** . **#solojapan #littleedo #timetravel** *Pro Tip: Rent a kimono (from ¥3,000) to stroll in style!* 👘