Escape Tokyo for a day trip to Kawagoe—'Little Edo'—a historic town often called a mini Kyoto. Just 30 minutes from Ikebukuro, explore traditional clay warehouses, the iconic Toki no Kane Bell Tower, ancient shrines and temples, and sample delicious street food. Experience old Japan without leaving the Tokyo area!
Group tour operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours.
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Join in day tour
The Highlight
- Walk in and around the last remaining buildings of Edo Castle in Japan!
- The opportunity to see beautifully preserved Kurazukuri architecture
- Go ‘fishing’ for your fortune at a famous shrine!
- Get out of Tokyo and visit Saitama prefecture, and see a different side to Japan!
The Experience
The tour will begin at 09:00 inside of Ikebukuro train station where you will meet your tour guide. You will meet outside of the Tobu line blue entrance ticket gates. Once everybody has arrived, you will officially start the tour and your tour guide will escort you to the first destination!
Your first destination will be one of Kawagoe’s most famous Buddhist temples. This temple is famous for its Pagoda, part of its main hall being constructed from buildings from the original Edo Castle in Tokyo, as well as its 540 Rakan statues. It is steeped in history and is a must when visiting Kawagoe! Enjoy a guided tour with your guide and some time to take photos and enjoy the grounds at your leisure.
Your next destination will be a guided walk and tour of Kawagoe’s Old Town. Comprising of many famous landmarks, architecture, and beautiful side streets, this is the hub of Kawagoe. Your guide will take you back in time, painting the picture of what was once ’Little Edo’. You will pass the famous Kurazukuri warehouses, a culturally significant bell tower, visit an old sake brewery, and many interesting local shops and food stalls. You will have free time and your lunch break here to explore at your leisure, and it is highly recommended that you try the street food on offer! Kawagoe is famous for sweet potatoes, so make sure to try something sweet potato themed!
Your next destination will be one of Kawagoe’s most famous and beautiful shrines! Famous for its match making power, many people come here to pray for good fortune in love and their relationships. Your guide will give you a tour of the Shrine complex and tell you about its unique features and history! You will have the opportunity to fish for your fortune, walk through a beautiful ’Ema’ tunnel (wooden fortune plaques), and walk around 600 year old sacred trees that are said to bring you spiritual enlightenment! The tranquil Shingashi river is just behind the shrine where Koi Carp swim, and in Spring it is filled with Cherry Blossom!
Our final stop will be the remains of Kawagoe’s flatland castle. The structure and its rooms are beautifully preserved. You can walk the halls, step back in time and imagine what it was once like in the Edo period when the Shogun (Samurai) were in power. You can also collect a castle stamp as a free souvenir of your visit!
Finally, before leaving Kawagoe, enjoy some free time to visit any remaining attractions, shop, take photos and pick up any final souvenirs before we meet back up to walk to Kawagoeshi train station. There is Kawagoe City Museum and Kawagoe Matsuri Museum which are great attractions to visit in addition to what is covered on the tour.
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- English
Itinerary
- 09:00Meet inside of Ikebukuro Train Station outside of the Tobu blue entrance ticket gate.
- 10:10Your first destination will be Kawagoe’s most famous Buddhist temple. Enjoy a guided tour of the temple complex with your guide.
- 11:10Walk for 15 minutes to Kawagoe’s ‘Old Town’. This is the centre and hub of Kawagoe. You will have a guided tour of the ‘Old Town’ and its landmarks. You will then have your lunch break here to enjoy the many drinks and foods on offer!
- 13:30Kawagoe’s famous Shinto shrine known for its match making power and granting good fortune in relationships!
- 14:15The remains of Kawagoe’s flatland castle
- 15:00Return to Kawagoe Old Town for free time to explore, shop, and take photos before a 20-minute walk to Kawagoeshi station.
- 16:00Back to Ikebukuro station
- 16:45The tour conclude at Ikebukuro station.
Price Details
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at designated location.
Purchase Notice
- A minimum of 2 participants is required to book this tour.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. This tour involves several hours of outdoor walking. Check the forecast and bring an umbrella or raincoat if needed.
- Group charters available. Contact us if you'd like to arrange a private tour continuing to Nagano afterward.
- Stay on schedule during free time. Return to meetup points at the times your guide specifies. If you get lost, call the number on your tour pass for immediate assistance.
- No large luggage. Store bags at your hotel or use coin lockers at major stations (Ikebukuro, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo) or Kawagoeshi station before the tour.
- Public transport used. Timings may vary depending on traffic and crowd levels.
Important Booking Information
Tour Availability Disclaimer Availability subject to confirmation. While tours may appear bookable online, all activities require confirmation with our partner venues and depend on date availability. If any part of your itinerary needs adjustment or becomes unavailable, we'll contact you promptly to arrange suitable alternatives.
Tour Information Organizer (Planning & Operation) Machinovate Inc. (Brand: Snow Monkey Resorts) License No: Nagano Prefecture Governor Registration No. 2-562 Address: 2159 Kurita, Nagano City, Nagano, 380-0921 Japan
Agent (Sales) H.I.S. Co., Ltd. License No: No. 724 by the Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency
Minimum number of participants: 2
Emergency Contact (Day of Tour) For immediate assistance on the day of your tour, please contact the local operator, Machinovate Inc., directly: Tel: (+81) 26-219-6272
Contact (Sales Office) Address: Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Central Park Bldg. 11F 6-13-1 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023 JAPAN Tel:+81-70-1735-1547(10:00-18:00, Weekdays only) Tour Operations Manager: Kyota Kasai (Responsible for transactions regarding this travel contract)
Terms and Conditions Please ensure you read and understand the following documents before booking: Travel Terms and Conditions (Organizer)
