Kawagoe Ichibangai Shopping Street
Kawagoe Ichibangai Shopping Street
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4.0
634 reviews
Excellent
180
Very good
317
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120
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3
andreasjodhinata
73 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
This is one of the great places to escape from a modern city like Tokyo. It takes only 50 minutes by subway from Shinjuku Station. Take JR Saikyo Line or Yamanote Line, then change to Tobu-Tojo Line to Kawagoeshi Station. From this station take bus number 02. I suggest get off on the farthest bus stop (7th stop) near the fourth at Candy Alley, and then walk down along the main street until the nearest bus stop to go back to the subway station. There are several cheaper kimono (yukata) rentals along the street. I was lucky when I got there because the museum was opened for free.
Written February 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yichimura
Kawagoe, Japan52 contributions
May 2013 • Family
Kawagoe is also know as town of Koedo (little Edo, ancient capital and Tokyo used to be)
Mainstreet has range of Kura (warehouse) buildings with both traditional and new shops and cafes . If you are fond of the Japanese dashi broth, check out Nakaichi Honten (中市本店) in front of Saitama Resona Bank building, for its Nekomanma Onigiri (riceball covered in shredded bonito). freshly char-broilled riceball smells so good, and neko(cats) will follow you to have the fallen bonito powder.
there are some nice bagel shop and sausage factory made with local ingredients. Kawagoe is also famous for its sweets made with sweet potato. my top favourite is Pokupoku from Kuradukuri Hompo(蔵造り本舗). it's good with both coffee or Japanese tea.
Toward Honkawagoe Station, on Taisho Roman street, there is a gift shop/restaurant called Kurari (蔵里). Taste of Kawagoe gathered in this one complex! here you can taste all kinds of Koedo beer and Sake made in Saitama. Don't forget eel is another famous thing from Kawagoe! (Kawa means river, and there used to be three rivers around the town so they could catch lots of eel)
Make sure to take Tobu line from either Shinjuku or Ikebukuro for Hon-Kawagoe. You can reach Kawagoe by JR like on Saikyo line; however JR Kawagoe station if farther to Ichibangai.
Mainstreet has range of Kura (warehouse) buildings with both traditional and new shops and cafes . If you are fond of the Japanese dashi broth, check out Nakaichi Honten (中市本店) in front of Saitama Resona Bank building, for its Nekomanma Onigiri (riceball covered in shredded bonito). freshly char-broilled riceball smells so good, and neko(cats) will follow you to have the fallen bonito powder.
there are some nice bagel shop and sausage factory made with local ingredients. Kawagoe is also famous for its sweets made with sweet potato. my top favourite is Pokupoku from Kuradukuri Hompo(蔵造り本舗). it's good with both coffee or Japanese tea.
Toward Honkawagoe Station, on Taisho Roman street, there is a gift shop/restaurant called Kurari (蔵里). Taste of Kawagoe gathered in this one complex! here you can taste all kinds of Koedo beer and Sake made in Saitama. Don't forget eel is another famous thing from Kawagoe! (Kawa means river, and there used to be three rivers around the town so they could catch lots of eel)
Make sure to take Tobu line from either Shinjuku or Ikebukuro for Hon-Kawagoe. You can reach Kawagoe by JR like on Saikyo line; however JR Kawagoe station if farther to Ichibangai.
Written August 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
unescotravelbug
Wooster, OH4,651 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
City of Kawagoe a.k.a Little Edo was once an important commodity resource and business trades to Edo (today's Tokyo) during the Edo period. The city avoided severe damages after the air raid bombings by WWW II western allies that mainly aimed at large area of Tokyo. Today the older part of the Kawagoe merchant’s storage houses, important shrines and temples have been carefully preserved while city continues to expand and add modern structures, public infrastructure to the city’s old glory. One of the top attractions is the merchant block and alleys where unique appearances of black clay tiled warehouse structures kurazukuri were built with fire resistance materials and thick walls to keep out the intruders. Kurazukuri occupied most part of the main thoroughfare along Ichibangai Shopping Street; offering variety of food services and local specialty goods to attract visitors. On the side street you will see an iconic symbol of Kawagoe-Toki no Kane- a 16 meters tall bell tower with wooden frames encased, chiming four times a day at 6 am, 12 noon, 3 pm and 6 pm. Many tourists would gather around this area and watch the bell chimes. If you like to savor variety of traditional Japanese sweets, rice crackers or dango-the glutenous rice balls on sticks- you will find plenty of them here. If you let yourself get lost in the small alleys you will find Kashiya Yococho, the Penny Candy Lane where more ma and pa shops are located selling traditional hard candies and snacks of by-gone era. The atmosphere brings you back to what Edo was like as you stroll along the district.
Kawagoe is not far from center of Tokyo; Metro, JR and private rails will connect you to the Kawagoe’s Hon-Kawagoe Station. It’s an ideal place for the history lovers who want to spend a day exploring how Edo period’s city was like. The best way to reach there is taking private rail Seibu Shinjuku line from Seibu Shinjuku Station; the rail line ends in Hon-Kawagoe Station where Tobu's Co-edo loop bus stop no. 2 is located outside of the station serving the routes to the Old Town of Kawagoe. You will find Tourist Information Office nearby the west exit closed to the bus stops. If you plan to spend a day, you can buy a loop bus pass from the Tourist Office that allow you unlimited rides within the mapped area of major attractions. Some of the loop buses which operated by Tobu Coedo Bus were purposely manufactured in retro body and decorated with the nostalgic feels of interior/exteriors. Tobu Co-edo Loop bus routes cover several stops within the Kurazukuri district. The best way to explore this district is by foot. However, the area is not a traffic free zone, visitors must take precautions while strolling from shop to shop.
Kawagoe is not far from center of Tokyo; Metro, JR and private rails will connect you to the Kawagoe’s Hon-Kawagoe Station. It’s an ideal place for the history lovers who want to spend a day exploring how Edo period’s city was like. The best way to reach there is taking private rail Seibu Shinjuku line from Seibu Shinjuku Station; the rail line ends in Hon-Kawagoe Station where Tobu's Co-edo loop bus stop no. 2 is located outside of the station serving the routes to the Old Town of Kawagoe. You will find Tourist Information Office nearby the west exit closed to the bus stops. If you plan to spend a day, you can buy a loop bus pass from the Tourist Office that allow you unlimited rides within the mapped area of major attractions. Some of the loop buses which operated by Tobu Coedo Bus were purposely manufactured in retro body and decorated with the nostalgic feels of interior/exteriors. Tobu Co-edo Loop bus routes cover several stops within the Kurazukuri district. The best way to explore this district is by foot. However, the area is not a traffic free zone, visitors must take precautions while strolling from shop to shop.
Written August 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annie C
Singapore, Singapore46 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
Was a last minute decision to get there and it was very easy and accessible from Shinjuku JR station. Took a train directly to Kawagoe station (a good 50 mins ride but good for resting your feet). Though the sightseeing bus driver wasn't very helpful, its actually very easy to take their public transport. A lot of buses passes this street so there's a lot of options.
Written January 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
さくら＿あん
Minato, Japan185 contributions
May 2016 • Family
人が多すぎて、何を買うにも行列。どの店も客は並んで当たり前。感謝もない。
商売第一！江戸風情？ 人情などまったく感じません。一軒も「試食」が無く、
ただ買え！って感じで、利益優先。客は二の次。町は電柱有り～マンションあり～
混んで歩けないのに、地元のおばちゃん達が道路占拠して、汚いお古をフリマ。
空気読みなさいよ。確かに歴史的建造物も有りますが、中途半端と営利第一主義で
死んでます。外国人に見せたら恥ずかしい。
Toward the foreign tourist. It is not good old Japan here. It is waste that spend time.
商売第一！江戸風情？ 人情などまったく感じません。一軒も「試食」が無く、
ただ買え！って感じで、利益優先。客は二の次。町は電柱有り～マンションあり～
混んで歩けないのに、地元のおばちゃん達が道路占拠して、汚いお古をフリマ。
空気読みなさいよ。確かに歴史的建造物も有りますが、中途半端と営利第一主義で
死んでます。外国人に見せたら恥ずかしい。
Toward the foreign tourist. It is not good old Japan here. It is waste that spend time.
Written May 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SapphireJuan
Singapore, Singapore334 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
A small and peaceful little town filled with friendly elderly. A little upset, was late upon reaching there thus many stores already closed. Only manage to catch a few candy store along the famous Candy Alley (菓子屋横丁) selling treats of Kawagoe.
You can find lots of candies, icecream, rice crackers, karinto, red bean paste cakes and sweet potatoes! Souvenirs like traditional toys and accessories are also available.
You can get there via loop bus at Kashiya Yokocho stop (Eagle Bus) or Takazawa-bashi stop (Tobu Bus).
You can find lots of candies, icecream, rice crackers, karinto, red bean paste cakes and sweet potatoes! Souvenirs like traditional toys and accessories are also available.
You can get there via loop bus at Kashiya Yokocho stop (Eagle Bus) or Takazawa-bashi stop (Tobu Bus).
Written July 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crono_Ng
Singapore, Singapore26 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
Located around 45 minutes away from Tokyo by train. The main street itself is just like a walk in museum, full of traditional Edo style building. Very unique local products especially ice cream and sweets that are made from sweet potato. We had a great time in this town!
Written April 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
roy v
Traralgon, Australia5,937 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
We were taken to this old Edo style town by Japanese friends and it was truly like stepping back in time Kawagoe was a important political & military town in the Edo era and there are lots of buildings still surviving from that time. There are quite a few shrines about and KITA-IN TEMPLE founded in 830 had very strong ties to the Tokugawa clan including the first Togugawa Shogun Ieyasu Togugawa. A bit over an hour from Tokyo the town of Kawagoe is also known as little Edo, I presume because of the style of the homes and warehouses etc. They really do have a distinct look especially the heavy roof decorations. A great assortment of shops selling all sorts of local products, I noticed with interest a couple of knife shops which must be very good going by the price, they certainly looked impressive so if your in the market for knives this would be a good place to start.One street there called KASHIYA YOKOCHO [penny candy lane] is famous for it's candy, rice crackers etc. and at one time there were 70 stores there supplying candy all over Japan.Quite a few museums in town, we visited the Festival Museum where they house two of the beautifull floats that are used in a special festival in October each year.This festival was started 360 years ago by NOBUTSUNA MAYSUDAIRA Lord of Kawagoe Castle. These multi story floats of Edo style are pulled through the town on their huge wheeled undercarriage by teams of people while musicians and others perform on them. About thirty floats take part in the parade from different towns. WE watched a film of the parade and it would be an amazing experience to be here in October for it. We were told the floats are worth over a million dollars each. They are stunning to view, the details is incredible. Another main feature is the TOK NO KANE [time bell tower] which is a tall wooden tower first built in the Edo era 16oos. in front of a shrine which dates to the 700s. Up the top is a huge bell which is rung four times a day, 6. am ,12. pm, 3.pm, 6. pm. Plenty of great eating places so a great place to spend the day and let your mind go back to another era , enjoy.
Written March 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macsimogong
Singapore, Singapore364 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
Ticket can be purchased at Tobu Toju line ticketing gate @ ikebukuro station. Pass for a return train ride cost 700¥, premium pass includes return train ride and unlimited bus rides in kawagoe for 950¥. Either ways you'll still pay lesser than the regular rides. Good to start your day early. Lots of snacks made of sweet potato. Interesting architectures. Alot of walking of course. Saw a sharing bicycle station near the bustop.
Written January 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J&S_Singapore
Singapore, Singapore5,462 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
A main point in our day trip to Kawagoe from Tokyo (took Ikebukuro). Remember to buy the 300yen Koedo Kawagoe Loop Bus tickets which brings you to the famous points, it also brings you back to main station!.
The city is quiet and unique, a small peaceful little nostalgic town that is worth visiting.
which runs about 800m long and you’ll find interesting stuff on both sides of the road. The shops are of with ancient japan architecture...There are actually a few “segments” of his street stretch but let’s explore it wholesomely!!
Visitors should first make their way to Kura-zukuri Street, a shopping street lined with black warehouses. Built to withstand fires, a peculiar feature of these buildings is their thick walls and well-tiled roofs
Remembered to catch a few candy stores along the famous Candy Alley (菓子屋横丁) selling treats of Kawagoe which is actually a slight detour from a slip road along the main street!
You can find lots of candies, ice-cream, rice crackers, karinto, red bean paste cakes and sweet potatoes! There are even long queues on the delicacy. Souvenirs like traditional toys and accessories are also available.
From one of the side lane we reach the bell tower, which was built in the Edo period, still rings four times a day to tell the hour. Very signature! Then there is the Taisho roman yume street, a romantic cobblestone street. Sure get that nsotaglic feel..
A local specialty of Kawagoe is the satsumaimo sweet potato. In the Edo era, when roast sweet potato become popular, Kawagoe was known for producing good quality sweet potatoes. That is why Kawagoe produces many snacks, including noodles, which contain sweet potatoes. We even tried the flourved ice-cream too!
We spent easily 2 hours exploring all the streets-shops. Only to head back to main station as we complete our Kawagoe day-trip. Highly recommended.
The city is quiet and unique, a small peaceful little nostalgic town that is worth visiting.
which runs about 800m long and you’ll find interesting stuff on both sides of the road. The shops are of with ancient japan architecture...There are actually a few “segments” of his street stretch but let’s explore it wholesomely!!
Visitors should first make their way to Kura-zukuri Street, a shopping street lined with black warehouses. Built to withstand fires, a peculiar feature of these buildings is their thick walls and well-tiled roofs
Remembered to catch a few candy stores along the famous Candy Alley (菓子屋横丁) selling treats of Kawagoe which is actually a slight detour from a slip road along the main street!
You can find lots of candies, ice-cream, rice crackers, karinto, red bean paste cakes and sweet potatoes! There are even long queues on the delicacy. Souvenirs like traditional toys and accessories are also available.
From one of the side lane we reach the bell tower, which was built in the Edo period, still rings four times a day to tell the hour. Very signature! Then there is the Taisho roman yume street, a romantic cobblestone street. Sure get that nsotaglic feel..
A local specialty of Kawagoe is the satsumaimo sweet potato. In the Edo era, when roast sweet potato become popular, Kawagoe was known for producing good quality sweet potatoes. That is why Kawagoe produces many snacks, including noodles, which contain sweet potatoes. We even tried the flourved ice-cream too!
We spent easily 2 hours exploring all the streets-shops. Only to head back to main station as we complete our Kawagoe day-trip. Highly recommended.
Written October 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On 31st Dec and 1st Jan, Was stores around there opened? Had many people?
Written January 17, 2019
Like most of the visitors, I took JR line to Ikebukuro station, purchase the special ticket called "Kawagoe special pass premium" and board the rapid train to to Kawagoe station (about 30mins). If you take JR line to Kawagoe station, it will take 50mins.
Written December 31, 2017
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