Traditional streets alongside the Toki no Kane in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture

Discover the Charms of Traditional Japan in this Easy Day Trip from Tokyo

One Day Kawagoe Day Trip

Often times, visitors to Japan have the misconception that to get a feel of traditional Japanese townscapes, one has to travel from Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō) all the way to Kyoto (京都, Kyōto).

Kawagoe (川越) is a great place to get a feel for traditional Japan, rent a kimono for the day, and get some great street food, all without having to take a shinkansen to Kyoto. Located just 30 minutes out of Ikebukuro Station, Kawagoe is convenient to get to, and at a low fare.

Ultimate Kawagoe Day Trip Itinerary from Tokyo

Discover the Best of Traditional Japan Near Tokyo

Nature

Culture

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Volume

While well-known amongst the Japanese locals, Kawagoe is still relatively off-the-beaten-path for foreign tourists. Located just 30 minutes out of Tokyo, Kawagoe has beautiful streets lines with old wooden warehouses on both sides of the road that have been retro-fitted into modern shops.

Here's an easy 1 Day Kawagoe Day Trip Itinerary from Tokyo to make sure you check out all the great places and food spots in Kawagoe. Plus, a chance to relax at an onsen (温泉, Hot Spring) at the end of the day, without having that make that long trip to Hakone (箱根).

Itinerary Details

Starting Time

Start off from Ikebukuro

Recommended Time:

09:30

The easiest way to access Kawagoe from Tokyo is via Ikebukuro Station.

Hop on the train to Kawagoe

Est.

09:30

32 mins

The recommended method to get from Tokyo to Kawagoe is by taking the Tobu Tojo Line direct from Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo to Kawagoe (or Kawagoeshi) Station. There is also a pass that covers the round-trip cost for this route.

Tobu Tojo Line

Towards Ogawamachi Station

Tobu

Ikebukuro Station

Kawagoe Station

32 mins

¥481

Walk over to Kimono Rental Koto

Est.

10:10

15 mins

1.2km

Kawagoe Station

Kimono Rental Koto

Couple wearing kimonos in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture

Est.

10:25

45 mins

Kimono Rental Koto (川越着物レンタル古都)

Dress up like the Edo-era

For those who want to soak up the atmosphere and experience what it’s like to wear the kimono (着物, Traditional Japanese Garment), a form of traditional Japanese clothing, you can consider renting one at Koto.

Walk through Taisho Roman Yume Dori

Est.

11:10

5 mins

As you head northwards, you will walk past a stone-paved street, with Taisho-era (early 1900s) vibe buildings lining both sides of the road. The Taisho-era was when Japan was heavily influenced by Western style architecture, so you will find many stone pillars and stone-buildings that are different from the usual wooden-style traditional Japanese buildings.

5 mins

400m

Kimono Rental Koto

Coedo Ohana

Est.

11:25

1 hour

Coedo Ohana (小江戸オハナ)

Dig into the Japanese comfort food, Oyakodon

One of the most popular shops in Kawagoe is Coedo Ohana, an oyakodon (親子丼, Chicken and egg rice bowl) specialty shop. Oyakodon consists of stewed chicken meat topped with egg in a dashi-based sauce on rice. Oyako literally means parent and child – the chicken and egg – get it? Well, it’s a bit morbid, but the oyakodon is one of the classic Japanese donburi (丼, Rice Bowl) dishes alongside the katsudon (カツ丼, Pork cutlet rice bowl) and gyudon (牛丼, Gyūdon, Beef bowl).

Est.

12:25

2 hours

Kawagoe Warehouse District (蔵造りの町並み)

Tabearuki and feel like you've been taken back in time

The Kawagoe Warehouse District is a beautifully preserved stretch of kura (蔵, Warehouse) that has been repurposed to house modern shops and food stalls. Kawagoe is famous for its imo (芋, Sweet Potato) products, and so you can find everything from imo chips, imo desserts, and even imo steamed buns. The combination of the area's Edo era (1603-1867, 江戸時代, Edo-jidai) vibes, and the vibrancy of tabe-aruki (食べ歩き, Eating while walking) make it a popular spot for locals on the weekend.

Exterior of Bakery Raku Raku in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture

Credit: Collin Grady (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP)

Est.

14:25

30 mins

Bakery Raku Raku (川越ベーカリー楽楽)

Take a bread break

This bakery is located within a two-storey townhouse, with the bakery on the first floor and the owner’s residence on the second floor. Built to resemble the traditional Kawagoe townhouse, it was built using traditional construction techniques without any nails, uses recycled plastic bottles for insulation, and plaster for its walls. The small garden outside provides an al fresco space for customers to enjoy their meals in the comfort of greenery.

Est.

14:55

30 mins

Toki no Kane (時の鐘)

Check out a 100-year old bell tower

While there are quite a few places across Japan where you can experience a feudal Japan cityscape, not many still have a functioning bell tower. The Toki no Kane was first built in 1634, and was burnt down due to fires a few times, and the current structure dates back to 1893.

Walk over to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Est.

15:25

11 mins

800m

Toki no Kane

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Credit: Yuika Takamura (Unsplash)

Est.

15:50

45 mins

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (川越氷川神社)

Get lucky in love

A popular shrine (神社, Jinja) amongst locals for matchmaking and love, this shrine houses 5 deities, two of which are married couples. As such, many singles looking for love, and married couples looking for a long and prosperous marriage often come to this shrine to pray.

Head back to Kimono Rental Koto

Est.

16:35

19 mins

1.4km

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Kimono Rental Koto

Est.

17:00

30 mins

Kimono Rental Koto (川越着物レンタル古都)

Return your kimono

Head to Saitama Seiganji Onsen

Est.

17:30

36 mins

15 mins

1.2km

Kimono Rental Koto

Kawagoe Station

JR Kawagoe Line

Towards Ōmiya Station

JR East

Kawagoe Station

Nishi-Ōmiya Station

13 mins

Take North Exit

8 mins

Nishi-Ōmiya Station

Saitama Seiganji Onsen

Credit: 投稿者 (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP)

Est.

18:20

1.5 hours

Saitama Seiganji Onsen (さいたま清河寺温泉)

Soak away your exhaustion

Saitama Seiganji Onsen stands out for its wide variety of baths, indoor and outdoor, as well as a sauna.

Take the bus to Ōmiya

Est.

19:50

29 mins

16 mins

Seiganji

Sonic City-mae

13 mins

950m

Sonic City

Yakiniku Futago

Est.

20:25

1.5 hours

Yakiniku Futago (大阪焼肉・ホルモンふたご)

Dig into some delicious yakiniku

Yakiniku (焼肉, Japanese barbecue) can be quite an expensive meal choice in Japan depending on the cuts of meat available, but Futago has a good balance between cost and quality.

Back to Ikebukuro

Est.

21:55

30 mins

5 mins

400m

Yakiniku Futago

Ōmiya Station

JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line

Towards Zushi Station

JR East

Ōmiya Station

Ikebukuro Station

25 mins

End off back at Ikebukuro Station

Est.

22:35

Originally seen in

Ultimate One Day Kawagoe Itinerary

A Beautiful City Defined by its Rustic Edo-era Charms

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