Kawagoe Day Trip From Tokyo

Kawagoe (pronounced kawa-go-eh) is home to a historic old town, nicknamed ‘Little Edo’ because of how well preserved it is. Locals love to dress up in kimono when visiting Kawagoe, which can be reached in just 40 minutes from Ikebukuro station. Here’s how to make the most of a day-trip to Kawagoe from Tokyo.
Kawagoe is a great day-trip from Tokyo to explore ‘old Japan’, because of all the well-preserved buildings you can wander around. It’s also a souvenir shop and street food paradise, with many vendors selling small food items to take away or take home. Take a tour of the old town, or have a wander yourself to discover Kawagoe and ‘Little Edo’.
This shrine in Kawagoe is a unique one because of the many rituals that you can take part in that are not common at other shrines around Japan. A day-trip to Kawagoe from Tokyo is not complete without a look around this shrine.
Upon entering the shrine gate, you will notice two rows of different-shaped rocks jutting out of the ground. You have the option to take your shoes off and walk down this painful road! The rocks will push into the soles of your feet to improve your health in different ways.
At the Kawagoe Kumano Shrine there is also a little waterfall, where you will see many baskets and ladles stacked next to. Locals put their coins (sometimes bills) inside these baskets and wash them in the running water. This is tied to a belief that washing your money here will cause it to multiply and return to you.
Street food that Kawagoe is famous for include red bean and sweet potato filled manju glutinous rice balls, roasted dango, and freshly made sweet potato chips.
Traditional Japanese souvenirs that you can buy here include yukata, fuurin wind chimes, chopsticks (get them engraved for free), jewelry, and of course, candies and sweets. There are more current gift shops here also, such as Studio Ghibli’s Donguri no Mori gift shop.
When retuning to Tokyo from Kawagoe, you can pass through the same busy shopping street, and eat a quick meal in a cheap restaurant before heading back to Tokyo.