Kawagoe: Kurazukuri, Sweets and Festival History

Kawagoe has a Kurazukuri streetscape that preserves the atmosphere of the Edo to Meiji periods. Toki no Kane is considered a symbol of Kawagoe: The bell tower is about 16 meters tall, and its bell rings automatically every day at 6 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The historic streetscape and the regular tolling of the bell give Kawagoe distinct cultural character.

History and Culture in Kawagoe

The Kawagoe-kan site is designated a national historic site. It was the former residence of the Kawagoe clan, one of the influential warrior families of Musashi Province from the late Heian period through the Nanboku-chō period. The Osawa House also tells the story of a later era: A wealthy merchant who traded, among other things, in kimono had it built in 1792. The house survived the Great Kawagoe Fire of 1893 because it was built using the fire-resistant Kurazukuri style. Together, these historical connections reveal different aspects of the city's past—from the status of a warrior clan to architecture and trade.

The permanent exhibition at the Kawagoe City Museum includes a reconstructed workspace of local artisans and an area about the Kawagoe Festival and local celebrations. Visitors can also view an actual dugout canoe, about 3,000 to 4,000 years old, up close. If you plan to visit the museum, check the latest visitor information beforehand. This lets you include the exhibition in your travel plans without assuming fixed visiting conditions.

Sweets Tradition and Festival

More than 30 shops line Kashiya Yokocho, selling traditional sweets such as candies and rice crackers. The tradition of making sweets here dates back to the early Meiji period. Reports indicate that in the early Shōwa period, there were more than 70 traditional sweets shops. The different figures refer to different times: More than 70 shops is the historical figure, while more than 30 describes the current number. In fiscal year 2001, Kashiya Yokocho was selected as one of the “100 Fragrant Landscapes of Japan.”

The history of the Kawagoe Festival began in 1648, when Matsudaira Nobutsuna, the lord of the Kawagoe Domain at the time, donated festival equipment to the Hikawa Shrine for its celebrations. The magnificent float processions were strongly influenced by Edo's Tenka Matsuri. When festivals in Edo later shifted to processions with portable shrines, the processions in Kawagoe preserved the character of the earlier Tenka Matsuri style. The float procession was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in February 2005 and registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. The festival is held annually on the day before and the third Sunday in October; check the latest event information before your trip.

Open Spaces and Seasonal Activities

Isanuma Park brings together several different open spaces, including an adventure forest with an outdoor obstacle course, an open area, an outdoor stage and a wading pool. Anglers visit the park throughout the year. A walking path runs along the west shore of adjacent Isanuma; cherry trees line the path, and the area is considered one of Kawagoe's cherry blossom viewing spots. Blossom viewing and walking offer different experiences: Cherry blossoms are seasonal, while anglers visit the park year-round, according to the city description.

The harvest season offers another seasonal experience: From September to early November, visitors can dig up sweet potatoes at tourist farms in Kawagoe. Check availability for this seasonal activity in advance. Near Isanuma are also the Isanuma Agricultural Products Direct Sales Center, Isanuma-an and the Agricultural Interaction Center. If you plan to visit these facilities, check the latest visitor information in advance.

Discover more destinations: Satte, Kumagaya, Misato, Koshigaya, Chichibu, Tokorozawa, Wakō, Sōka

For the main travel overview: Saitama Prefecture.