Best Daytrip from Tokyo: Explore Traditional Kawagoe (Little Edo)
this is one of my favorite places for a day trip from Tokyo kawagua also known as Little Edeto is located in Saitama Prefecture about 40 minutes from Ikabukuro station you can go there for one full day or just half a day and still be able to see a lot you can experience old Japan enjoy traditional foods at a local restaurant like these very delicious matcha noodles that we had kawaguya also features different shrines and temples like Kumano Shrine or Hikawa Shrine that I love to visit every time I go there walking along the streets you can try some of the street foods and also shop for souvenirs kawaguya also features a street with shops selling old traditional and nostalgic snacks called Kashia Yokoto most importantly Kawagagoya is known for its black houses built in a traditional architectural style from the Edeto period called Kurazukuri if you’re in Tokyo and want to change up your itinerary consider exploring Kawagago
Kawagoe, known as Little Edo, is a great day trip from Tokyo – just 40 minutes from Ikebukuro Station. Here, you can walk through the old warehouse district with traditional kurazukuri black buildings and visit historic sites like Hikawa Shrine, Kumano Shrine, Kita-in Temple, and the Bell Tower (Toki no Kane). Don’t miss Kashiya Yokocho, a street full of nostalgic candy shops. Try local specialties like matcha noodles and sweet potato treats. There are also craft shops and seasonal festivals, including Children’s Day with koinobori flying overhead. A perfect spot to experience Japan’s history and culture outside the city.
📍 Honkawagoe Station – 〒350-0043 Saitama, Kawagoe, 新富町１丁目２２
🕒 shops are open at around 10am – 5pm
📌 Tobu Toju Line to Kawagoe station or Kawagoe-shi station, Fukutoshin Line + Seibu Shinjuku Line to Honkawagoe Station
📌 Festivals & Events: Kawagoe Festival (Third Saturday and Sunday of October), Kawagoe Million Lights Summer Festival (Late July), Kawagoe Fireworks Festival (Late July)