Kawagoe is a historical center, which is no longer left in the urban Tokyo. It is called "Little Edo" (Edo is the old name of Tokyo during the reign of the Tokugawa samurai clan - 1603-1867). Now it is a fair city full of charm and flavor of good old Japan. Kawagoe (translates as "river crossing") is famous for its beautiful and clean rivers, so there are many restaurants that offer dishes made of tender eel.
There are 7 sacred Buddhist and Shinto temples here. Legend has it that if you visit the 7 Gods of Happiness, 7 misfortunes will leave you.
Excursion "Kawagoe - a journey through time!"
Tour time: 10:00-18:00
- A walk through the Buddhist to the Kitain templeThe temple, which houses the original interiors of the Edo Imperial Castle, is accompanied by a picturesque Japanese garden, which is pleasant to enjoy on the terrace. In spring, the temple grounds are awash in cherry blossoms and in autumn, the colorful maples come to life.
- Attendance Kuman shrines - a unique place where you have the opportunity to meet the Goddess of Money and Art, known as Bentensama. According to local legend, if you wash your money in the pond at the shrine and then use it, it will bring you good luck and profit. However, there is a certain ritual: the washed money should be dried naturally, leaving it in your wallet, and then used. This approach is said to bring even greater financial success.
- A walk along the cobblestone Kura no Machi street: kimono-wearing rides, rickshaws that cheerfully transport tourists, and ancient buildings that have stood along the street for over three hundred years create an atmosphere where antique porcelain, Japanese paintings, swords, and traditional Japanese cuisine merge into one. All this makes you forget about the current time and plunge into the atmosphere of "old Japan".
- Toki no Kane - The bell tower, 400 years old and 16 meters high, is a historical monument. The bell sounds four times during the day: at 6:00 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The sound of this bell was included in the list of "100 Sounds of Nature in Japan", created to remind us of the beauty of sounds in our world.
- Attendance matsuri museum (colorful Japanese festivals associated with religious holidays, important historical events or seasons) will allow you to immerse yourself in a world of fun, dance, music and learn about local traditions.
- Edo Starbucks is housed in a 300-year-old building. If Starbucks had existed in the Edo era, it would have looked like this: a café with an outdoor seating area in the style of a Japanese garden with bonsai trees.
- Candy Alley (candy alley). This street has been selling traditional Japanese sweets, lollipops, rice crackers and Japanese glazed plums for centuries. Kawagoe is famous for its purple potatoes, which are considered dietary. It is used to make chips, pies, cookies and even purple ice cream.
- A visit to the tasting room of a local Japanese sake producer, where you will be able to taste and purchase various varieties of this traditional Japanese beverage.
Important! Additionally during the tour you can:
- Change into a kimono and walk the streets of "old Edo" in it.
- You can also participate in master class on making Japanese cakes "osembei" (about 30 minutes).
- Participate in making handmade rings in sterling silver and K10, K18 gold. Choose your width, shape and finish from 3 options, engrave your initials or wedding anniversary on it. The salon's master craftsmen will provide you with comprehensive support, from selecting your ring to completing your one-of-a-kind original piece. The master class will take 45-60 minutes.
- At the end of the tour, you can stop by to the local onsen (a healthy natural thermal spring) accompanied by a guide who will explain in detail the etiquette of Japanese bathing.
- Go for a ride by rickshaw.
- Go for a ride on a rickshaw driven by a foreigner. We can organize for you a fascinating rickshaw ride with a German guide. A tall blond man from Germany, whose height exceeds 2 meters, will not leave you indifferent. His presence attracts the attention of the whole audience and it is a truly unique experience.
