Historical buildings of the Edo, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods are introduced here. Let's learn a little about the historical characteristics of each period

• Pre-Edo Period(before 1603)

  Before the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, many feudal lords and rulers selected the historical town of Kawagoe as a place to build shrines and other related buildings because of its strategically important and convenient location.

• Edo Period(1603–1868)

  Kawagoe thrived as a castle town important for the protection of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Edo. The Shingashi River and the Kawagoe Kaido (road) served as distribution arteries in the Edo period, and the coming and going of people and goods through these arteries gave rise to the various cultures in Kawagoe.

• Meiji Period(1868–1911)

  Shifting from the age of samurai to the age under the influence of Western civilization, the Meiji period was when the culture that has formed a foundation of today's Japan was born and flowered. It was during this period that the value of the Kurazukuri architectural style (old storehouse-like way of construction) was recognized anew in Kawagoe after suffering a great fire in 1893.

• Taisho Period(1912–1926)

  This is the period when many Western-style buildings were built, forming a striking contrast to Kurazukuri houses. Visitors can enjoy a retro-flavored atmosphere of the Taisho Roman through these Western-style buildings.

• Showa Period(1926–1988)

  This is the period when the Western-style architecture unique to Japan, which has incorporated the "DNA" of Western-style buildings of the Meiji and Taisho periods, was established. Many of them feature delicate decorations that demonstrate the superb craftsmanship of Japanese workmen.

Are you intrigued with the brief history of architecture in Koedo Kawagoe? Then, why not visit Kawagoe and see them with your own eyes! For your convenience, Kawagoe is introduced by area below.

The tourist spots in Koedo Kawagoe are largely grouped into three areas: Kuranomachi area, Kawagoe City Museum area, and Kitain Temple area. Using the loop bus to get around the city is the most efficient way of visiting the three areas. For touring around the three areas, take a loop bus departing from the Hon-Kawagoe PePe shopping center. Be sure to check bus information in advance since there are many discounts and privileges associated with the bus service, including one-day ticket coupons.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Kuranomachi Area

This is an area lined with Kurazukuri houses that you can find only in Koedo Kawagoe.
There are also many other interesting tourist spots in this area.

• EdoToki no Kane (time bell) - Symbol of Koedo Kawagoe

  The bell tower, which was built in the Edo period, still rings four times a day to tell the hour. The bell tower has been cherished by local people since the beginning of the Edo period. The current Toki no Kane is the fourth bell.

  Access

  Approximately 13-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (1)

• EdoOsawa Residence -National Important Cultural Property

  This is the oldest Kurazukuri store on the Ichibangai Street lined with Kurazukuri houses. The store in Kurazukuri style survived through the great fire in 1893 and proved that the Kurazukuri style is highly fire resistant. Consequently, merchants in Kawagoe started building their stores in Kurazukuri style.

  Access

  Approximately 15-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (2)

• MeijiKashiya Yokocho – Street lined with nostalgic candy stores

  Kashiya Yokocho (alley of candy stores) is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Koedo Kawagoe, featuring more than 20 mom-and-pop candy stores. The history of Kashiya Yokocho dates back to the early Meiji period, when one candy manufacturer opened a store here. There were more than 70 candy stores in the early Showa period.

  Access

  Approximately 18-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (3)

• MeijiMuseum of Kurazukuri – Discover everything about the Kurazukuri style

  This is a museum where you can actually step inside a Kurazukuri house and find its design, structure, and layout at first hand. The museum building (house) was built by Bunzo Koyama, a tobacco wholesale merchant, after the great fire in 1893.

  Access

  Approximately 14-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (4)

• TaishoKawagoe Christ Church – One of the Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan

  The red brick building of the church exudes and conveys the atmosphere of the good old Taisho period to the present. The chapel in the Tudor style was designed by Mr. Wilson, an American architect, who was visiting Japan at the time. Services are held at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM on Sundays.

  Access

  Approximately 10-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (5)

• TaishoKawagoe Branch of Saitama Risona Bank – Elegant Western-style Building

  The building features a dome and vertically long windows that horizontally slide open and is one of the buildings that have incorporated Western culture to a large extent. It was designed by Katsuya Yasuoka, who also took part in the construction of red brick office buildings in Marunouchi, Tokyo.

  Access

  Approximately 12-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (6)

• ShowaKawagoe Chamber of Commerce and Industry – One of the modern buildings which were popular in the Taisho period

  This is a landmark building located at the north end of the Taisho Roman Yume Street. It is said that the dignified structure of the building with thick pillars like a Greek temple represents the typical architectural design for financial organizations that has prevailed across the country in the Taisho period.

  Access

  Take a Tobu bus #01 bound for Shinmei-cho Shako and get off at the Naka-cho Mae bus stop. The building is a one-minute walk from the bus stop MAP (7)

• TaishoKawamoku Headquarters Office Building (former Rokken-machi Post Office) – Symbol of Rokken-machi

  The building was originally built in 1927 as a furniture show space, to which an annex was added in 1937. During the Showa period, it was used as a post office. The penthouse style of the building, which leverages the corner location, stands out at the intersection. Currently, it is used as a restaurant.

  Access

  Approximately 10-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (8)

Kawagoe City Museum Area

This is an academic area in Kawagoe, where museums, art museums, and schools are located. If you want to deepen your knowledge of Kawagoe, you cannot miss this area.

• Pre-EdoKawagoe Hikawa Shrine – The god of marriage and happy family is enshrined

  The shrine was built about 1500 years ago. People in Kawagoe call the god as "Hikawa-sama" and cherish it as a village shrine protecting the entire land of Kawagoe.

  Access

  Approximately 25-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (9)

• Pre-EdoMiyoshino Shrine – The god of learning is enshrined

  It was built in 807 and is said to have served as a stage for "Toryanse," a Japanese children's song. The main shrine building is a prefecturally designated cultural property.

  Access

  Approximately 25-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (10)

Kitain Temple Area

This area is spotted with famous shrines and temples. Walk around the area and feel the history of Kawagoe at first hand.

• Pre-EdoKitain Temple –Treasury of ImportantCultural Properties

  The temple was built in the Heian period and was specially esteemed and protected by the Tokugawa Shogunate. Many believers worship the temple's founder as a guru capable of expelling evil spirits.

  Access

  Approximately 15-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (12)

• EdoSemba Toshogu Shrine – Beautiful vermillion front shrine

  This is a shrine that honors the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu. The existing shrine was built in 1640. The Shrine comprises Hondo (main shrine), Zuishin Gate, Stone Torii Gate, Haiden (front shrine), Heiden (place for offerings), Karamon Gate, and Mizugaki (fence), all of which are registered as national important cultural properties.

  Access

  Approximately 12-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station MAP (13)

Since you came all the way to Kawagoe for sightseeing, don' t miss savoring the local delicacies. The best selection of souvenirs is introduced here.

Sweet Potato Products

Sweet potatoes in Japan originate from Kawagoe potatoes that have grown since the Edo period. In Kawagoe, visitors have the opportunity to savor interesting products made of sweet potatoes, a local specialty of Kawagoe. Highly recommended is sweet potato soft ice cream. Once you have tried this sweet potato-flavored soft ice cream, you will become addicted to it. For adults, there is also sweet potato beer. This exquisite beer is a product that you can get only in Kawagoe.

Traditional Snacks

Traditional snacks are low-priced small candies that even children can buy with their pocket money. In the Kashiya Yokocho, there are a number of stores filled with an array of different types of traditional snacks. The nostalgic taste of Japanese common people makes a great souvenir!

Dumplings

In Kawagoe, you will find signs of dumpling stores all over the place. Dumplings of Kawagoe are not sweet, but baked with soy sauce. Since each store has its own taste, it would be fun to compare flavors of different stores.

Eel

There are many historical eel restaurants in Kawagoe. It is said that these restaurants became popular during the Edo period, and later in the Taisho period, physicians and other wealthy people used to drop by on the way home from a public bath and wait for eels to be grilled while playing Japanese chess. Among those historical eel restaurants in Kawagoe, Ogagiku boasts a history of 200 years, one of the oldest in Kawagoe. The romantic wooden three-storied building built around 1924, which faces the Taisho Roman Yume Dori, is designated as a Structure of Cityscape Importance by Kawagoe City.

<Ogagiku>
Address: 3-22, Naka-cho, Kawagoe

Koedo Kurari

Koedo Kurari Exterior

Souvenir Shop

Food Shop (Taisho Storehouse) /
Hasshu-tei

Kawagoe Souvenir

The Koedo Kurari facilities leverage the old buildings of the former sake brewer Kagamiyama (established in 1875). These buildings were renovated while retaining some vestige of the Meiji period and opened in October 2010 as new tourist facilities where visitors could enjoy the local produce of Kawagoe. The facilities comprise three former sake breweries built during the respective periods of Meiji, Taisho, and Showa and have been designated a national registered tangible cultural property. These breweries were refurbished into the Souvenir Shop (Meiji Storehouse), Food Shop (Taisho Storehouse)/Hasshu-tei, and Kura Market (Showa Storehouse). In the leisurely space of Food Shop (Taisho Storehouse), visitors can enjoy the seasonal produce of Kawagoe while tasting the rare sake of Kagamiyama Sake Brewery. During a delightful walk around the sights of the town, drop by to take a break and look for nice sophisticated souvenirs. On the premises, Edo Kawagoe floats for the Kawagoe Festival, which is held in October each year, are on display:

<Koedo Kurari>
Address: 1-10-1, Shintomi-cho, Kawagoe
http://www.machikawa.co.jp/ (Japanese only)

COEDO Beer

COEDO comprises five types of craft beer decorated with a stylish label. They can be purchased also at Koedo Kurari. In the iTQi (International Taste and & Quality Institute) Contest, the COEDO-Beniaka beer made from the local specialty Kawagoe sweet potato has won the top, three-star award (Superior Taste Award) for three consecutive years. Each of the remaining four kinds of beer has also won a two-star award. The exquisite taste of beer created manually by dedicated beer experts makes it one of the best souvenirs of Kawagoe.

<Coedo Brewery>
Address: 59-1, Fukuda, Kawagoe
http://www.coedobrewery.com/e/

How to use Koedo Kawagoe Free Coupon

• Tip 1Where to buy

  Koedo Kawagoe Free Coupons can be purchased at any stations on the Seibu lines (except Kotake-mukaihara, Hon-Kawagoe, and stations on the Tama Line).

  

• Tip 2How to use it at stores

  Present the Koedo Kawagoe Free Coupon at the facilities and supporting stores written on the coupon, and you will get discounts or privileged services. Present the coupon when you make payment or order or when you enter the facilities.

  

Koedo Kawagoe Free Coupon Brochure

To Red Arrow Limited Express