Kawagoe

On a nice, sunny Sunday we decided to head out of Tokyo for a change and visit the old city of Kawagoe. Located a little more than half an hour by train from Tokyo, it made for a perfect day-trip! The old town of Kawagoe has lots of cultural properties and historical sites fro the Edo period, and is therefore called "Little Edo". The experience of the ambience from a town of the Edo period makes Kawagoe a popular destinations among day-trip-tourists from Tokyo.

The main street of the old Town (Kurazukuri: clay-walled warehouses) is the perfect example of the Edo culture remaining in the city. It shows us a shopping street with old-style storehouses, still selling many interesting (traditional) items and food.

Main street with Edo-style storehouses

Shop selling chopsticks, and many different chopstick-rests

Edo-style shops

Kashiyayokocho (candy street) is a famous street enjoyed by many visitors, and also by us! This street consists of shops only selling traditional sweets and candies. We could try some various snacks as delicious cakes and rice cookies. Because Kawagoe is known for it's sweet potato, we off course had to try the local specialty: sweet potato ice cream! (with the tastes of purple and yellow sweet potato)

Candy street

Shop selling rice cakes

Purple and yellow sweet potato ice cream, 美味しい!

Kawagoe has many other interesting historical sites, as the famous Tokino Kane (bell tower), the Kawagoe Castle, and the Kitain Temple. On the grounds of the Kitain temple are the 538 Rakan statues, depicting the disciples of Buddha and all show a different posture and emotion.

In October a famous festival is held in the old town of Kawagoe, so we would like to go back to see the festivals and try some more traditional sweets.

Tokino Kane (Bell tower)

Kawagoe Castle

Rakan statues at the Kitain temple