Kawagoe City Industrial Tourist Center (Koedo Kurari)
sightseeing
Basic Information
Business hours / Fee
How to get there
Universal design
Map
Nearby spots
We offer tourism information and brochures for sightseeing on the first floor of Pepe Honkawagoe Station of Seibu Shinjuku Line. This is the closest visitor information center from Koedokawagoe and Kurazukuri’s townscape. In addition, we also offer rental services of wheelchairs and baggage storage (payment required).
The Renkei Daishi was built by the mother of the lord of the Kawagoe Castle, Daidōji Masashige, in 1549. Later during the Tokugawa period, it was made into a place of study for the Buddhist priest and was officially recognized as a temple, raising many Buddhist priests. In addition, Fukurokuju, one of the 7 lucky gods of Kawagoe is enshrined. There is also an event that takes place on a regular basis.
It greatly thrived in 1612 when Sōjō Tenkai trusted by Ieyasu Tokugawa became the chief priest. Due to Kawagoe’s great fire in 1638, most of the Kita-in Temple burnt down, but from the Edo period, the third generation Shogun Iemitsu removed and reconstructed “Iemitsu Tanjō no Ma” and “Kasuga no Tsubone Keshō no Ma” from the Edo Castle. In addition, the entire area was designated as an important cultural property. One of Japan’s three major arhat, “Gohyakurakan”, can be seen.
"Rakan", or "Arhat" is a Buddhist term signifying a spiritual practitioner, or high priest, who has attained enlightenment. Considered as one of Japan's three great Rakan is the 500 Rakan of the Kita-in temple that took 50 years to complete. The 538 stone statues are famous for expressing human emotions and for being unique in their actions. According to legend, if you visit at night and touch the heads of the statues, one will be warm. The face of this statue is said to resemble the sculptor's passed away parent.
Situated near the Nakacho intersection, the entrance to the Kurazukuri district, this information center takes the shape of a traditional storehouse and is packed with useful information! You can also use their baggage storage service (for a fee) and connect to their free Wi-Fi!