One-Day Trip to discover the Charms of Historic Kawagoe: A Journey Through Time
Kawagoe is known as "Little Edo" for its well-preserved Edo-period atmosphere. This tour offers an immersive experience of Kawagoe's rich history and culture.
The main attraction of this tour is strolling through Kurazukuri Street you will feel the charm of the Edo period.
We can also visit Kumano Shrine, Toki-no-Kane Tower used to tell the time, Kawagoe Festival Museum, Kashiya Yokocho street filled with traditional sweets shops, Hikawa Shrine, Kawagoe Castle, etc. according to your preference.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel
- I will meet you near the reception in the lobby of your hotel. Go to Kawagoe by public transportation.
Kawagoe
We will explore Kawagoe.
Kurazukuri Street
This area replicates the merchant streets of the Edo period, featuring historic buildings, stylish cafes, and souvenir shops. Visitors can feel the essence of old Japan while strolling here.
Kumano Shrine
Kumano Shrine in Kawagoe is known for its blessings of matchmaking and warding off evil. Visitors can pass through the torii gate and find peace in the serene surroundings of the shrine.
Toki-no-Kane (Time Bell Tower)
Toki no Kane, also known as the Time Bell Tower, is one of Kawagoe's most iconic landmarks. Standing at 16 meters tall, this wooden tower has a history that dates back over 400 years. Originally built during the early Edo period, it has been reconstructed several times due to fires, with the current structure dating from the late 19th century. The tower houses a bell that rings four times a day (6 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM), echoing through the streets and serving as a reminder of Kawagoe's rich historical past. This traditional method of telling time adds to the nostalgic atmosphere of the city, making it a must-visit spot for anyone exploring Kawagoe. The Toki-no-Kane not only symbolizes the city's cultural heritage but also connects the present with the bygone days of Edo.
Kawagoe Festival Museum
This museum showcases the splendid floats and the history of the Kawagoe Festival. Exhibits include actual festival floats and costumes, offering a vivid sense of the festival's lively atmosphere.
Kashiya Yokocho
A street filled with shops that have been selling traditional Japanese sweets since the Showa era about 50 years ago. It is a delightful place where both children and adults can enjoy nostalgic treats and traditional confections.
Hikawa Shrine
Famous for its splendid wooden architecture, Hikawa Shrine is a historical landmark in Kawagoe. It is cherished as a shrine for blessings in matchmaking and family harmony.
Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten
Located in the heart of Kawagoe Castle, the Honmaru Goten is a rare place where visitors can experience samurai life. It is preserved in its original Edo-period architectural style, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts.
Kawagoe
Go back to Tokyo.
Your Hotel
End of the tour.
Ending Point
Your Hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
1. Guide fee
2. Hotel pick-up
* Hotel pick-up is included if your hotel is located near a station on JR Yamanote Line or inside the circle of JR Yamanote Line. If the extra transportation fee is necessary for hotel pick-up, I will let you know.
1. Transportation fee (you and your guide): About 2,000 yen/adult
2. Admission fee (you and your guide): About 1000 yen/adult (Kawagoe Festival Museum, Kawagoe Castle)
3. Lunch (you and your guide)
4. Beverages (beer, juice, etc.)
Tour Important Information
(1) We will stay in Kawagoe about 5 hours. You can choose, add, or delete places you would like to visit in advance or on the day.
(2) This tour is also available for groups of 6 or more. Please inquire about guide fees for groups of 6 or more.
Important message from the supplier
Nothing speceial.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Hiroshi S.
Hello, I'm Hiroshi.
I am a National Government Licensed Tour Guide Interpreter in English. I received a master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the U.S.
I have lived in a city of Fujisawa, which is a city next to Kamakura, for more than 20 years, and also used to live in Kamakura for more than 10 years. So far, I have visited almost all the temples and shrines in Kamakura. I am sure I can offer you a pleasant trip to the historical city!
In addition to Kamakura, I can also guide you around Tokyo, Yokohama, Hakone, Nikko, etc. because I have visited many places in Kanto area. For example, in Tokyo I can show you around many sightseeing spots, such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Skytree, etc.
I like baseball and used to play baseball, but now enjoy watching professional baseball games. And I like watching Rakugo, Japanese traditional story-telling performance.
Of course, I also like travelling very much, and am interested in Japanese culture and history. So I would like to show you Japanese tradition and culture.
Let’s enjoy a trip in Japan together.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon.
Reviews
Kay H.
“Great experience”
We booked our half-day tour four months in advance, and communication was prompt and seamless right up until the day we met. When a typhoon hit during our trip, Hiroshi proactively reached out to adjust our schedule, moving our tour to the following day which turned out to be completely clear and sunny! On the day of the tour, Hiroshi was already waiting down in our hotel lobby early, proving how punctual and reliable he is. He speaks excellent English is incredibly knowledgeable + was simply lovely to be around. He was a massive help translating with local vendors at the fish market, offered to take photos for us and shared so many practical transit tips that we felt totally confident navigating Tokyo on our own for the rest of our trip. Since we are a younger couple and moved through our itinerary quickly, he even offered to take us to a few extra temples and shrines, which we loved. He was incredibly generous, patient & humble throughout the entire tour. We couldn't recommend Hiroshi as a tour guide enough!
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Hiroshi S.
Thank you for taking your time to write a review. I had a wonderful time with you both. Our tour was scheduled for a typhoon day, but by rescheduling it for the next day, we were able to enjoy the tour under a clear blue sky! At Meiji Shrine, we saw a bride and groom in traditional Japanese wedding kimonos. At Tsukiji-Honganji Temple, we witnessed a solemn Buddhist ceremony, and I hope you enjoyed the fresh fish at Tsukiji Market. I am happy the information I shared was helpful for your tour. There are still many more things to see in and around Tokyo. Let's enjoy Japanese culture, customs, and beautiful scenery together again sometime!
Guy B.
“Third time with Hiroshi”
Hiroshi is a kind, patient guide, who took great care of us. We appreciate everything he did for us, and can highly recommend him to anyone wanting to see Tokyo and surrounding areas!
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Hiroshi S.
It was a rainy day for the tour, but we were able to experience Japanese culture at the Tokyo National Museum and enjoy shopping at Solamachi shopping mall. Although the indoor facilities were crowded due to the rain, I hope you enjoyed the tour. There are still many more sights to see in Tokyo. I look forward to seeing you again in the near future. Next time, under a blue sky!
Guy B.
“Another wonderful day with Hiroshi”
Hiroshi took us to Kawagoe yesterday. We had a great day out. The town is beautiful, and Hiroshi was so kind and patient as we shopped and wandered through the old town.
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Hiroshi S.
Thank you for accepting my suggestion to change the Tokyo tour to a Kawagoe tour due to the weather. We were able to enjoy Kawagoe tour without rain. We walked through the streets lined with traditional warehouses and felt the atmosphere of the Edo period. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the old town and the shopping in Kawagoe. There are many other sights to see in the Tokyo area besides Kawagoe. Let's enjoy Japanese culture and history together again!
$254/ per group
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