You will take a day trip to Kawagoe, a city near Tokyo known as Koedo, or “Little Edo”, for preserving part of the historic atmosphere of Japan’s former feudal period. The experience will begin around Ikebukuro Station or at the passengers’ hotel in Tokyo, from where you will take the train with the guide to Kawagoe.
Once in the city, you will begin the tour in the Kurazukuri district, an area closely linked to Kawagoe’s historical importance on the commercial route with Tokyo. During the walk, you will observe the traditional black houses of the former merchants and discover the Toki-No-Kane bell tower, a 17th-century structure that has become one of the city’s most recognizable symbols.
The tour will continue through Kashiya Yokocho, a street full of traditional Japanese candy shops, where you can get closer to a more everyday and nostalgic part of local culture. Next, the guide will accompany you to Kita-in Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple founded in the year 830, known for housing some of Japan’s most outstanding rakan sculptures.
Later, you will have free time for lunch before visiting the Shinto shrine Hikawa-jinja, known for its connection with the deity of marriage. If passengers do not wish to have lunch, a mandatory break will still be taken so the guide can rest before continuing with the visit.
If the pace of the tour allows, you will approach the Shingashi River for a walk along its riverbank, an especially attractive area in spring due to the presence of cherry blossoms. If time is more limited, the return to Tokyo will take place after the visit to the shrine, closing a day trip that will combine history, traditional architecture, spirituality, and local atmosphere in one of the most interesting getaways from the Japanese capital.