Saitama Hidden Gems
Tokyo's northern neighbour, where an Edo-era merchant town, river valleys and long-standing craft traditions sit half an hour from Ikebukuro.
5 spots
Climate & Best Season
Hot, humid summers (Kumagaya regularly tops Japan's charts) and dry, sunny winters. Spring and autumn are most comfortable.
Famous For (Food)
- Soba
- Unagi
- Sayama tea
- Kusadango
Signature Sights
- Kawagoe 'Little Edo'
- Chichibu valley & Mitsumine Shrine
- Nagatoro river boating
- Hitsujiyama Park shibazakura
Kawagoe Kurazukuri Street — Little Edo Merchant District
Kawagoe's Kurazukuri Street (蔵造りの町並み) preserves one of Japan's most complete Edo-period merchant districts — over 30 cla…
Toki no Kane — Time Bell Tower Ringing Since 1624
The Toki no Kane (時の鐘, 'Bell of Time') is Kawagoe's symbol — a wooden bell tower rising 16 meters above the merchant dis…
Kawagoe Unagi — Edo-Style Grilled Eel Tradition
Kawagoe's proximity to the Arakawa and Iruma rivers made it a historical center for freshwater eel fishing, and the city…
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine — Matchmaking Power Spot
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (川越氷川神社) is one of Japan's premier 'enmusubi' (縁結び, matchmaking) shrines, believed to grant blessi…
Kashiya Yokocho — Penny Candy Alley Since 1820s
Kashiya Yokocho (菓子屋横丁, 'Candy Alley') is a narrow 80-meter lane lined with traditional sweet shops selling dagashi (駄菓子…