Kawagoe Koedo Warehouse District and Candy Alley Course

About an hour by train from central Tokyo, Kawagoe is a town that still carries the strong flavor of the Edo period. Walking the streets lined with black plastered warehouses feels like stepping back in time. Here is an easy one day course built mainly around walking.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Hon Kawagoe Station Set out while the morning air is still fresh. The warehouse district is about a fifteen minute walk from the station. Picking up a map at the tourist information center makes it easier to find your way through the many small lanes.

9:30 Stroll the warehouse district Walk slowly down the main street lined with heavy old warehouses. For photos, the morning is best, when there are fewer people and the light is soft. Strolling the streets themselves is free.

10:30 See the Bell of Time Head to the Bell of Time, the symbol of Kawagoe, just a few minutes on foot from the warehouse district. The present bell was rebuilt after a great fire in the Meiji era, and it still rings several times a day. Looking up at the bell tower is free of charge.

11:30 Snack along Candy Alley A narrow lane packed with old fashioned candy shops, only a short walk from the Bell of Time. Wander while nibbling on sweet potato treats, rice crackers, and penny candy. Since each purchase is small, having coins on hand is handy.

13:00 Lunch with local eel or sweet potato dishes Kawagoe is famous for eel in the Edo style, as well as dishes and sweets made from sweet potato. Choose whatever suits your taste and budget. Popular shops draw lines at midday, so shifting your timing cuts the wait.

14:30 Visit Kitain Temple This temple linked to the Tokugawa family is about a fifteen minute walk from Hon Kawagoe Station, or roughly twenty minutes from Kawagoe Station. Wandering the grounds is free, but the viewing areas, such as the reception hall and study moved from Edo Castle and the row of five hundred and forty Rakan statues, are a paid tour. End the day in the quiet grounds.

Highlights

The warehouse district was built from the Edo into the Meiji era as fire resistant merchant houses. The heavy roofs and black outer walls speak of the wealth of the merchants of that time. Candy Alley drifts with a plain sweet scent and delights both children and adults. The five hundred and forty Rakan statues at Kitain each have a different face and pose, and visitors linger to study them one by one.

Access and Tips

The starting point is Hon Kawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, or Kawagoe Station on the JR and Tobu Tojo lines. The main spots connect on foot, but since the warehouse district and Kitain are a short walk from the stations, a sightseeing loop bus makes moving around easier. Check the fare and whether a one day pass is offered on the day of your visit. Weekends and holidays get especially crowded, so it is best to see the main spots early in the morning.

Practical Travel Notes

• Time needed: Half a day to a full day to see the main spots. Allow a full day if you want to take your time snacking and having lunch.
• Getting there: From central Tokyo, reach Kawagoe on the Tobu Tojo Line, the Seibu Shinjuku Line, or the JR Kawagoe Line. The town center is mainly walkable, and a sightseeing loop bus also runs. By car, use one of the paid parking lots nearby.
• Budget guide: Viewing the streets and the Bell of Time is free. Kitain has paid viewing areas. Otherwise the day centers on snacking, lunch, and souvenirs, so it comes together fairly cheaply.
• Avoiding crowds: On weekends and holidays, early afternoon is the peak. Touring the warehouse district and Candy Alley early in the morning makes photos easier and the flow smoother.

A Quick Tip

Since snacking is the main activity, a bag that frees up both hands and some coins are handy. You will walk on stone paving and through lanes, so wear comfortable shoes.