Kawagoe
Kawagoe is a short train ride from Tokyo, known for its clay-walled merchant buildings, old streets and traditional sweet shops.
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Kawagoe is a city in Saitama Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, often called Little Edo for its merchant history from the Edo period. Its best-known streets are lined with kurazukuri, storehouse-style buildings with thick clay walls and tiled roofs. Hikawa Shrine, Kita-in temple and the remains of Kawagoe Castle sit within an old town you can cover on foot. Express trains from Ikebukuro in Tokyo reach Kawagoe in about 30 minutes.
Most visitors come for a day or an overnight trip from Tokyo. Plan around the storehouse streets, the sweet shops of Kashiya Yokocho and the Bell of Time at Kita-in. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking. The Kawagoe Festival in mid-October brings floats and large crowds, so book a room early if you plan to visit then.
Kawagoe in five
- Take the Tobu Tojo Line from IkebukuroThe express from Ikebukuro in Tokyo reaches Kawagoe in about 30 minutes. Check the operator's timetable before you go, since express and local trains take different times.Getting around
- Buy a Suica or Pasmo card for trainsEither IC card works on the Tobu and Seibu trains and on most local buses, so you avoid buying a paper ticket for every trip. Buy one at a station machine on arrival.Getting around
- Carry cash for small shopsSome small shops and sweet stalls in the old streets may not take cards. Withdraw yen at an ATM before you start walking.Money and costs
- Walk the warehouse street in the morningStart in the morning to photograph the old storehouses with fewer people around.
- Check the October festival datesThe Kawagoe Festival in mid-October brings floats through the town and fills hotels. Book a room early, or choose another week if you want quieter streets.Festivals
Need to know
- Currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check eligibility before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCold, dry
- FebruaryCold, dry
- MarchMild, spring
- AprilCherry blossom
- MayMild, green
- JuneRainy season
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberFestival, autumn
- NovemberAutumn color
- DecemberCold, clear
Right now in Kawagoe
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 27%
Kawagoe
05:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today19°9°27%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Wed15°12°44%Wednesday: Rain. High 15°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Thu20°12°94%Thursday: Rain. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Fri22°11°4%Friday: Fog. High 22°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat17°10°4%Saturday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun16°9°1%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Mon14°8°6%Monday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 04:53 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- AprShingen-ko FestivalFuji Five Lakes, a day trip
- MayKanda MatsuriTokyo, a day trip
- MaySanja MatsuriAsakusa, a day trip
- JunSannō MatsuriTokyo, a day trip
- Jul–AugTokyo Idol FestivalTokyo, a day trip
- AugFukagawa MatsuriTokyo, a day trip
- AugKōenji Awa OdoriTokyo, a day trip
- AugJingu Fireworks FestivalTokyo, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Tokyo (Ikebukuro)about 30 min by expressThe capital, reached on the same express line that brings you to Kawagoe.
- Tokyo (Shinjuku)longer by train than the expressThe city's main hub for shopping, nightlife and onward trains.
Before you go to Kawagoe
Rules for Kawagoe, checked
- Carry your passport at all times, since foreign visitors may be asked to show ID. Check entry requirements on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa page before you book.Source
- Declare cash and goods above the allowance on the arrival customs form. Check the rules with Japan Customs before you travel.Source
- Cannabis is banned in Japan, and many medicines sold abroad are restricted. Check any medicine with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare before you fly.Source
- The legal drinking age is 20, and bars and shops may check ID.
Plan around Kawagoe
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Japan trip
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains, IC cards and buses between Tokyo and Saitama
Read the guideMoney and costsCash habits, cards and typical prices in Japan
Read the guideVisas and entryWho can enter visa-free and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses for a short Kawagoe stay
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data on arrival for maps and train apps
Read the guideKawagoe FAQ
How do you get from Tokyo to Kawagoe?
Take the Tobu Tojo Line express from Ikebukuro, which takes about 30 minutes. Kawagoe is also served by the Seibu Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku, which takes longer. Check the timetable before you go.
Is Kawagoe worth a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes, for the storehouse streets, temples and the Time Bell tower. The main streets fit into one day, and the trip is short enough to return to Tokyo the same evening.
How many days do you need in Kawagoe?
One day covers the warehouse street, the bell tower and a few temples. Stay a night if you come for the October festival, when floats and crowds fill the town.
When is the best time to visit Kawagoe?
April and May for mild weather, and October and November for autumn color. The Kawagoe Festival in mid-October is one of the busiest times of the year.
What is the Kurazukuri street in Kawagoe?
It is a street of merchant storehouses with thick clay walls and tiled roofs. The area is often called Little Edo, and many of the buildings now hold shops and cafés.
Does the Japan Rail Pass cover the trip to Kawagoe?
No. The line from Ikebukuro or Shinjuku is run by a private railway, not JR, so buy a regular ticket or use an IC card.