Matcha green tea and wasanbon making experience in a Japanese garden + Kawagoe stroll

Tantoku, a lumber merchant, was founded in 1869 in Rokkencho, Kawagoe City. The annex (hanare), built by first generation Tokujiro Suzuki, and the 200 tsubo (1,860 ㎡) Japanese garden (karesansui) are open to the public.

Kawagoe, located just an hour by train from Tokyo, is a beloved destination for Japanese locals. Immerse yourself in the town's rich history with the help of a knowledgeable guide who is passionate about Kawagoe. Kawagoe offers a unique experience with its picturesque "kurazukuri" buildings constructed by wealthy merchants and Western-style buildings from the period when Japan became westernized (over a century ago), all located within a compact area. Today, some of these historical buildings have been repurposed into trendy cafes and restaurants. Its charming streets are a popular filming location for TV dramas and movies. Why not capture some of your own memories and feel like a movie star by taking some great pictures?

The history of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine goes as far back as the reign of Emperor Kinmei in the 6th century, and is said to have started with the separation of worship practices by the Ōmiya Hikawa Shrine, a part of Musashi Ichinomiya, when the cultural practice of building burial mounds was passed on to them. When Ōta Dōkan built a castle thereafter, it was revered as a Sōja, a shrine enshrining several gods, of this location. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is familiarly called “Ohikawa-sama.”