Kawagoe : A Journey Through Time and Tradition Just 30 Minutes From Tokyo
Just 30 minutes from Tokyo's Ikebukuro Station, Kawagoe beckons as a captivating destination rich in history. Visitors can stroll through evocative streets lined with preserved buildings dating back to the Edo Period and more. This itinerary showcases Kawagoe's best treasures, including the serene 150-year-old Tantoku Garden, which presents a tranquil Zen oasis amidst urban bustle. Enjoy enchanting seasonal greenery, and try your hand at Japanese cultural activities like tasting matcha, making traditional “wasanbon” sweets, and more. Next, dive into Kashiya Yokocho, where Kawagoe's timeless charm lingers, and indulge in tasty confections from traditional to modern.
Start
Ikebukuro Station (9:00 AM)
Approximately 40 minutes : From Ikebukuro Station, take an express train on the Tobu Tojo Line for 33 minutes to Kawagoe Station, then walk 3 minutes to Tantoku Garden
9:40 AM - 10:40 PM
Experience Japanese culture in your own "old" private Japansese house!
Matcha green tea experience and making wasanbon (Tantoku Garden)
Tantoku, a lumber merchant, was founded in 1869 in Rokken-cho, Kawagoe city. The hare" built by Tokujiro Suzuki, the first generation, and the 200 tsubos (1,860 ㎡) karesansui (dry landscape garden) are open to the public.
Approximately 20 minutes : Walk from Tantoku Garden to Kashiya Yokocho
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
A Charming Shopping Street That Brims With Nostalgia
Explore a Narrow Alley Packed With Candy Stores
Kawagoe offers a glimpse into Japan's old world townscape. Within this is Kashiya Yokocho, a narrow alleyway packed with traditional Japanese candy stores. Hosting around 30 shops, you'll be immersed in a world of scrumptious treats. There are also limited edition goodies that change with each season, as well as workshops to watch skilled confectioners at work. Relive the excitement of childhood days spent shopping for sweets with pocket money in hand.
Approximately 45 minutes : From Kashiya Yokocho, take a taxi for 10 minutes to Kawagoe Station, then take an express train on the Tobu Tojo Line for 33 minutes to Ikebukuro Station
Goal
Ikebukuro Station (Approx. 1:45 PM)