Traveling from Tokyo to Kawagoe

Kawagoe is an atmospheric, laidback former castle town known for its surprisingly well preserved traditional architecture. Nicknamed Koedo or Co-Edo (Little Edo), Kawagoe evokes Edo, the old name for Tokyo, and the Edo period (1603–1867) when samurai ruled Japan. Like a time traveler, you can immerse yourself in Kawagoe’s charming mix of festivals, heritage buildings, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

Initially built as a fortified town by the Ota clan in the 15th century, Kawagoe prospered as a trading center and supply depot for Edo, the teeming capital of the Tokugawa shogunate. That’s why one of the main highlights is its old clay-walled warehouse buildings called kurazukuri. Some are now shops and restaurants along Kurazukuri Street in the Kuranomachi district. The oldest surviving kurazukuri is the imposing Osawa Residence, constructed in 1792 and designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Look out for the iconic Toki no Kane, a 16-meter-tall Edo-style bell tower rebuilt in 1894 that marks the hour four times a day. Other attractions include Hikawa Shrine, a Shinto sanctuary with a history of 1,500 years that is popular with those seeking romantic partners, Kitain temple and its 500 statues of rakan (Buddha’s disciples), and the Kawagoe Festival Museum, which commemorates the lively Kawagoe Matsuri parade of 8-meter-tall floats held every October.

Highlights of Koedo Kawagoe

Kawagoe’s attractions are spread across four main zones, each offering a different window into the city’s rich Edo-period heritage.

Kurazukuri Zone

Kura no Machi (Old Town Ichibangai Street) is the historic heart of Kawagoe, lined with the imposing clay-walled storehouses called kura that once kept household goods safe from fire. These fire-resistant buildings were later converted into residences and shops, and walking along the street today feels like stepping back into a town from 120 years ago. Admission to the street itself is free.

The iconic Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower) stands nearby, a building where a bell has been rung to mark the time since the early Edo period. The current tower is its fourth incarnation, rebuilt after the great Fire of Kawagoe in 1893. It rings four times daily: at 6:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. and has been selected as one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan: Preserving Our Heritage” by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment.

Tucked along a narrow street just 80 meters long, Kashiya Yokocho (Penny Candy Lane) is a nostalgic alley of traditional sweet shops. Here you’ll find hard candy, fugashi (wheat gluten sweets), senbei (rice crackers), dango (skewered rice flour dumplings), and other affordable, traditional Japanese snacks. It’s a relaxed and charming spot to browse and snack your way through Kawagoe’s confectionery heritage.

Also in this zone is the Kawagoe Festival Museum, open April through September from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays), and October through March from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Admission is ¥300 for general visitors (¥150 for elementary and junior high students). The museum showcases the materials, photographs, and actual floats used in the celebrated Kawagoe Festival, held on the third Saturday and Sunday of October. Enormous, elaborately decorated floats are paraded through the streets as traditional Japanese orchestras perform fue (flute), taiko (drum), and gong — a spectacle that builds to an exciting climax in the evening.

The Osawa House (Osawa Jūtaku) is another highlight of this zone. Built in 1792 by a wealthy kimono merchant, it is the oldest surviving storehouse in Kawagoe. After surviving a fire during the Meiji era, Kawagoe’s merchants banded together to construct it. Folk crafts can be purchased on its first floor.

Nearby, the Yamazaki House (Yamazaki Tei), built in 1925, served as the residence of the retired fifth-generation master of the old-established Kameya confectionery. Designed by architect Katsuya Yasuoka, it blends Japanese and Western architectural styles, and its scenic garden is particularly impressive. Open October through March from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and April through September until 5:30 p.m. Admission is ¥100 (free for middle school students and younger). Closed the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Central Zone

Renkei-ji Temple has ties to the Tokugawa Shogunate and enshrines the monk Donryu. Many people come here to pray for the safety of their family, safe childbirth, and child-rearing. The statue of Obezaru-sama is also enshrined here and is said to have the power to cure illness.

Koedo Kurari is a brewery founded in 1875 during the Meiji era that was renovated to create a popular commercial complex. Four brewery buildings now make up the complex, offering dining and shopping. Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Taisho Roman Yume Dori Street is a nostalgic commercial street with distinctive shops that evoke the atmosphere of the Taisho era (1912–1926), thanks in part to its frequent appearances on TV, in shows and movies. The romantic charm of the era draws visitors into its retro-styled boutiques.

Kawagoe Castle

The Honmaru Goten of Kawagoe Castle is the primary surviving section of a castle that was of great strategic importance to the Tokugawa Shogunate for protecting the northern region. The Shogunate dispatched its most trusted vassals here, and the castle remains a testament to the work performed during that era. Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (entry until 4:30 p.m.). Admission is ¥100 (free for middle school students and younger). Closed on Mondays (the day after if a Monday is a holiday), and from December 29 through January 3.

The Kawagoe City Art Museum, housed in a building reminiscent of a kurazukuri storehouse, displays works by artists with ties to Kawagoe. Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (entry until 4:30 p.m.). Admission is ¥200 (free for middle school students and younger). Closed on Mondays (with holiday exceptions) and during the Kawagoe Festival.

Kita-in Temple Area

Kita-in Temple was founded approximately 1,200 years ago and has deep ties to the Tokugawa Shogunate — during the Edo period, its learning room and reception hall were relocated from Edo Castle grounds to the temple. On January 3, the Daruma-ichi (Good-luck Market) brings visitors from across the region to pray for safety from misfortune, family wellbeing, and traffic safety. Open weekdays 8:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and weekends 8:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (November through February: until 4:00 p.m. on weekdays). Admission is ¥400.

Nantaizan Kawagoe Betsu-in Temple holds an antique market on the 28th of every month. Many people come to find clothes, tableware, books, old coins, and other antique items — from everyday necessities to rare valuables. It is a popular event for bargain hunters and collectors alike.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, built more than 1,500 years ago, has been cherished by the people of Kawagoe as their guardian since ancient times. The shrine’s elaborate carvings, called Edo-bori, and its 15-meter tori gate make it a striking destination. The shrine is also popular with those praying for good fortune in love and marriage.

The Kawagoe City Museum sits on the former site of Kawagoe Castle and displays many materials on the history and traditions of Kawagoe. Video displays at each exhibit allow for interactive learning. Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (entry until 4:30 p.m.). Admission is ¥200 (free for high school and college students and younger). Closed on Mondays and around the Kawagoe Festival period.

Getting Around Kawagoe

Two bus routes serve the main sightseeing spots. The Co-Edo Loop Bus departs from the West exit of Kawagoe Station and loops around the main sights, with stops at Kawagoe Station, Kashiya Yokocho, Hikawa Shrine, Kita-in Temple, Kawagoe Castle, and more. There are two routes running in opposite directions. The Tobu Koedo Bus departs from the East exit of Kawagoe Station and serves the historic downtown area.​

Traveling from Tokyo to Kawagoe by Train

Kawagoe is located in Saitama Prefecture to the northwest of Tokyo. Only about 30 minutes by train from central Tokyo, Kawagoe can make a delightful day trip, especially for those interested in Japanese history and traditional architecture. Kurazukuri Street lies to the north of Tobu Kawagoe-shi, Seibu Hon-Kawagoe and JR Kawagoe stations.

While the closest station is Hon-Kawagoe on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, all three are within walking distance of the sights. For instance, it takes about 13 minutes to walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station to the Toki no Kane bell tower.

Seibu Railway from Seibu-Shinjuku Station

Seibu operates the Koedo Limited Express to Seibu Hon-Kawagoe Station from Seibu-Shinjuku Station, located a few minutes’ walk north of JR Shinjuku Station. The Koedo Limited Express links Seibu-Shinjuku and Hon-Kawagoe in about 45 minutes and the fare including limited express surcharge is 1,013 yen.

Slower express trains run along the Seibu Shinjuku Line and reach Hon-Kawagoe Station in 57 minutes; the fare is 520 yen.

JR East and Tokyo Metro from Shinjuku Station or Ikebukuro

For those with a Japan Rail Pass for Japan Railways (JR) lines, JR East runs Commuter Rapid trains from Shinjuku Station to Kawagoe Station along the JR Saikyo and JR Kawagoe lines. The trip takes about one hour. If you don’t have a pass, the fee is 770 yen.

If you can’t catch a Commuter Rapid service, you can take a JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line train to JR Omiya, then a JR Kawagoe Line train to JR Kawagoe. The trip takes about 54 minutes. Another option is to take a JR Saikyo Line or JR Yamanote Line train to Ikebukuro and then switch to the Tobu Line, a trip that takes about 45 minutes and costs 660 yen.

You can also get to Kawagoe from Shinjuku via Tokyo Metro’s Marunouchi Line subway. You have to change at Shinjuku-Sanchome Station for the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line’s F Liner train. It has through service to the Tobu Tojo Line F Liner, which also stops at Ikebukuro. The trip from Shinjuku to Tobu Kawagoe Station takes about 51 minutes and costs 591 yen.

Note that the Japan Rail Pass is not accepted on Tokyo Metro, Seibu or Tobu railways.

Tobu Railway from Ikebukuro Station

The fastest way to get to Kawagoe is from Ikebukuro, but it’s in the northern part of central Tokyo, about 5 minutes from Shinjuku on the JR Saikyo Line. The JR and Tobu Ikebukuro stations are next to each other in the large rail hub of Ikebukuro.

Tobu Tojo Line Rapid Express trains bound for Ogawamachi connect Ikebukuro and Kawagoe in only 27 minutes; the fare is 490 yen.

Kawagoe Discount Pass

Tobu Railway offers the Kawagoe Discount Pass with significant savings for travelers and shoppers. Shaped like a traditional happi festival coat, the pass offers round-trip fare on the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro to Kawagoe or Kawagoe-shi stations—it also gives you special offers, such as discounts or small complimentary gifts, at participating shops in Kawagoe and Tobu Department Store in Ikebukuro. The price is 710 yen for adults and 370 yen for children.

The Kawagoe Discount Pass Premium adds Tobu bus rides in Kawagoe, including the Tobu Koedo Loop Bus, to the above offer. The price is 1,050 yen for adults and 540 yen for children. Tobu Koedo Loop buses look like retro school buses painted black and red. The route starts and ends at the East Exit of Kawagoe Station, serving the Hikawa Shrine, Kuranomachi area, Kashiya Yokocho candy shop lane and Kitain temple.

You can purchase Tobu’s Kawagoe Discount Pass at Tobu ticket counters and Tobu tourist information centers inside Ikebukuro Station. Look for the blue signage saying “Tobu” or “Tobu Top Tours.” For more information, see https://www.tobu.co.jp/en/ticket/kawagoe/basic.html

Tokyu Line Tobu Tojo Line Koedo-Kawagoe Coupon

Tokyu Railways offers a discount ticket giving users one day of unlimited use of the Fukutoshin and Tobu Tojo lines between Shibuya and Kawagoe stations. It’s only sold at Tokyu ticket machines but note that this does not include those at Shibuya Station, on the Setagaya Line or the Kodomonokuni Line. Ticket prices depend on where they are purchased. For instance, tickets from Daikanyama Station near Shibuya cost 1,650 yen for adults and 860 yen for children.

Traveling to Kawagoe by Bus

While there are no direct buses to Tokyo from Kawagoe, there are Tobu buses that run from Kawagoe Station’s west exit to Narita Airport and Tokyo Disneyland. Seibu buses also serve Haneda Airport from Kawagoe and Hon-Kawagoe stations. For a list of other destinations in Japan connected to Kawagoe by bus, check the Kawagoe City website.

Article by Tim Hornyak. Photos by Tim Hornyak, matya1234/pixta (1), yama1221/pixta (2), hirotomo.Isobe/pixta (3), sae/pixta (4,5). All rights reserved. Last updated 16-Apr-2026.