Explore the heart of "Little Edo" with a half-day tour of Kawagoe!
The historic town of Kawagoe is located in the Saitama Prefecture and nicknamed "Little Edo" (Koedo) after the name of the former Japanese political capital, Edo (now Tokyo), which was established during the eponymous Japanese historical period (1603 – 1868). Kawagoe is a step back in time; it's linked with Edo because of its ambience and traditional architecture, which hark back to the former capital of the Tokugawa shogunate.
On this guided tour departing from Tokyo, you'll have the chance to enjoy a unique traditional experience thanks to Kawagoe's period setting and can also extend your visit by choosing an optional cultural activity.
You'll meet your guide at a pre-arranged meet-up point in Shinjuku in Tokyo and take the train together to Kawagoe (the cost of the train is included in the price).
On arrival, you'll start with a stroll through Kawagoe's iconic streets and districts. The first stop is at the Buddhist temple of Kita-in, a must-see monument in "Little Edo".
You'll then take a trip back to the 1910s and 20s with a visit to Taisho Roman street which is lined with traditional early 20th-century buildings.
Your time travel will continue back to the Edo period as you wander down Ichiban-gai street. This is Kawagoe's most famous street, and its traditional houses embody the town's identity and soul.
Another must-see city icon is the Toki no Kane tower built in the 19th century, as well as its bells, which may peal while you're there!
After all the walking it will be time to sample typical Kawagoe dishes with a stop at Kashiya Yokocho street.
To make your experience even more unique and traditional you can add kimono hire or a rickshaw ride to your tour and get real feel of Japanese culture back in the day: these optional extras, if selected, will be scheduled at the end of the tour.
The tour will end in Kawagoe. Afterwards, you can return to Tokyo or continue exploring at your own pace. You'll be given the return train ticket at the start of the tour. The guide will not accompany you on the return trip.