Here are 10 things to do in Saitama (Kawagoe).

Bell of Time . Warehouse-style Townscape

The "Toki no Kane" (Bell of Time) is 16.2 meters tall and has a three-story wooden structure. It is a symbol of Kawagoe. The first one was built in 1627 during the Edo period, and the current one is in its fourth generation. It automatically chimes every day at 6:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00.

The surrounding area is lined with "storehouse-style townscapes." The storehouses are painted with black plaster, influenced by the Edo period, and are cleverly designed to be fireproof to prevent fires from spreading. The town of Kawagoe is also known as "Little Edo." Experience the old-fashioned townscape.

Candy Alley

This is an alleyway filled with old-fashioned Japanese sweet shops. They have been manufacturing sweets since the Meiji era. After that, they manufactured and supplied sweets to Tokyo on behalf of the city after it was damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

Currently, there are about 20 shops that manufacture and sell peppermint candy, sweets, rice dumplings, sweet potato snacks, etc., and you can buy them and eat them on the spot. You can enjoy Japanese sweets in a traditional atmosphere, so both adults and children can enjoy them.

Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace

Kawagoe Castle was built in 1457 by Uesugi Mochitomo, who ordered his vassals to oppose the Koga kubo Ashikaga Shigeuji. During the Edo period, it was considered important as a defense for the north of Edo, and successive generations of senior vassals of the shogunate served as castle lords. The current building was built in 1848 and is open to the public. Kawagoe Castle and Kochi Castle are the only two castles in Japan where the great hall of the Honmaru Palace still remains, making it an extremely valuable cultural heritage site.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

It is a very old shrine, and in 541, it was believed that a glow every night on the Irumagawa River was the spiritual light of the god Hikawa, and so Hikawa Shrine was enshrined on that land. The large torii gate on the east approach is 15m high, making it one of the largest wooden torii gates in Japan and very impressive. The "Enmusubi Wind Chimes" event, held every summer, is photogenic, with the cool sound of over 2,000 wind chimes echoing throughout the area.

At other times, "pinwheels" are displayed. It is with the hope that "your thoughts will be carried by the wind and reach your loved ones with the help of the gods." Events vary depending on the time of year, so please check before visiting.

Kitain Temple

It is a Tendai Buddhist temple that was founded by Jikaku Daishi in 830. The "Tahoto Pagoda" is 13 meters tall and has a strong presence, making it a building that symbolizes the early Edo period. It is said that if you pray to the "Obinzuru Sonja" and rub the same place on your body that hurts or hurts, you will get better. The "guest hall, study, and kuri" to the right of the main hall are the only surviving examples of the palace that was dismantled and relocated by Tokugawa Iemitsu from Edo Castle.

Renkeiji Temple, Shingashi River

Renkeiji Temple is a Jodo sect temple with ties to the Tokugawa family that was founded in the Muromachi period. The Bell Tower was built in 1695 during the Edo period and has survived a major fire in Kawagoe. It is treasured as a cultural asset of Kawagoe City, and in addition to the bell ringing on New Year's Eve, the bell is rung 18 times every day at 3pm to pray for people's happiness. The recommended season to visit is spring, when the cherry blossoms and temple are beautiful. The Shingashi River is also a famous cherry blossom spot, and the view of the river and cherry blossoms is spectacular.

Kawagoe Hachiman Shrine

In 1030, during the Chogen Rebellion, Minamoto no Yorinobu prayed for victory in an attempt to put down the large-scale rebellion, and then pursued and pacified Tadatsune's forces. In gratitude for the god's divine power, he founded Hachiman Shrine in Kawagoe. Since then, many exam candidates and athletes have visited the shrine as it is believed to be the god of victory.

The "Tamibu Inari Shrine" in the precincts is a rare shrine that is said to bring good health to the legs and hips, and has appeared in the "Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi." The "Guchikikisama" (Listening to the Voice) is a statue of Prince Shotoku, and is named after the anecdote that he listened to 10 people's stories at once.

Kumano Shrine

In 1590, the head priest of Renkei-ji Temple separated it from Kumano in Kishu. It was part of Renkei-ji Temple, but in 1868, it became independent and became a shrine after the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. Just after passing through the torii gate, there is a unique acupressure point called "Healthy Footstep Road". If you are unhealthy, it may hurt. You can play quoits at Kayu Inari Shrine. Please make an offering of 10 yen or more before going. You can test your luck in love, work and studies, health, money, and wish fulfillment.

Experience Workshop Craft Cafe Kawagoe

There are various experiences you can try here. You can try painting glass wind chimes, a Japanese summer tradition, painting a pattern on a fox mask, making delicate Japanese sweets, and painting a Daruma doll with your wish. These can only be done in Japan, so please try them out! You can also get souvenirs, which is great.

Karaki woodwork

Here you can experience making Japanese chopsticks. Choose from 16 different types of wood with different weights and hardness, then carve the wood into a shape. You will have your own original chopsticks, which you will grow to love using. Making your own chopsticks in Japan will give you a special feeling and will become a memorable memory. They are perfect as souvenirs!

summary

We have introduced 10 things to do in Kawagoe, Saitama. Kawagoe has been selected as one of the "Three Great Warehouse Towns of Japan" along with Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture and Kitakata City in Fukushima Prefecture. The "Storehouse Townscape" is the only area in Saitama Prefecture that has been selected as a nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. There are also many shrines and temples, giving it a very atmospheric feel. There are also plenty of craft experiences, so it's great to create memories that go beyond just seeing things.