Kawagoe is an old castle town with a long history, and it has many shrines and temples. It also hosts a lot of "matsuri" or festivals throughout the year what was the reason behind starting a new one?  Kawagoe is often referred to as "Koedo" or little Edo. The shopkeepers' mutual association of Ichiban Gai which includes the famous storehouses and the bell tower it would be nice to give visitors an Edo-style welcome to the city After a three-year break during the pandemic 2025 was the seventh time the event had taken place.  The date marks the beginning of Kawagoe's spring festivals It is also one of the rare days when Ichiban Gai is closed to traffic and one can walk safely anywhere along the street This is a welcome change as the street is normally very crowded with traffic and tourists.  The first thing I noticed was the number of people in kimono many families and couples had come to enjoy the festival wearing kimono A large proportion wore Kawagoe cotton kimono or checked yellow or red kimono with black satin collars They are like the ones seen in historical dramas.  Not only visitors but many shopkeepers also wore kimono Their hair was done up in Edo-style nihongami (hairstyle) Many of the men had wigs to make them look like samurai and those with long hair wore it in a ponytail like ronin.  There was a local vegetable stand with Edo staff, a farmer, and a garbage collector ensuring that everything dropped would be recycled properly. The officials carried samurai swords and wore black formal kimono The rain could not stop people from enjoying the time slip to Edo. At various places around the streets, there were performing groups to entertain visitors. There were period dramas, singing of traditional children's songs, shamisen, and kagura (Shinto music and dance) performances.  One of the highlights of the day was the parade of samurai warriors put on by the Kawagoe Tourist Association They were dressed up in full samurai armor Samurai armor is very complex in construction They carried the flags of various clans and had tabi and straw sandals on their feet These Edo-period samurai also carried muskets with them They were an impressive sight marching down the street.  This produced a surprisingly loud sound as smoke swirled out from the guns It was powerful to experience such close quarters That they could strike terror into the hearts of ordinary people back in the Edo period wouldn't be surprising.  There was a demonstration in the street on how to do Edo-period Japanese hairstyles At a stand called "Japanese Hand Work," an expert in Japanese hairstyles was working on a samurai to produce his topknot which was an important symbol of his status The tourist office had a display of Kawagoe's touzan kimono They included the new kimono cloth that I designed to celebrate the relationship between Kawagoe and Nagasaki The history of this historic cotton striped fabric that was so popular with working people at the end of the Edo period.  Kawagoe is always celebrating its history throughout the year It is a great place to visit wearing kimono in any season With its local delicacies and historic sites Kawagoe won't let you forget its attraction as a spot for a great day out within easy reach of Tokyo.  Read other columns on kimono by the author You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo cafés and shopsHow to spend an ideal day at Saitama’s Little Edo Only a 30-minute train ride from Ikebukuro Station Kawagoe in Tokyo’s neighbouring Saitama prefecture is a popular weekend destination The highlight of Kawagoe is its well-preserved Koedo area you’ll find plenty of souvenir shops Explore the historical streets in a kimono or yukata while enjoying local treats made from sweet potato or imo kenpi (sweetened sweet potato fries) sold along the cosy Kashiya Yokocho – that’s Penny Candy Alley in English But there’s much more to Kawagoe than just food The city is a great destination year round: the little stream behind Hikawa Shrine is lined by cherry blossoms in spring and large koinobori (carp streamers) decorate the Taisho Roman Yume Street around Children’s Day in May check our list below with everything you need for a great day trip to  Kawagoe RECOMMENDED: Head to the seaside for a perfect day in Kamakura Photo: クリストファー/Photo-ACBehind Kawagoe’s Hikawa Shrine, you’ll find the Shingashi River, which is lined by beautiful cherry trees. During spring, you can board a traditional Japanese boat and enjoy a picturesque ride under the cherry blossoms. Pro tip: visit towards the end of sakura season when the petals create a beautiful pink carpet on the water’s surface.  Tickets to ride the boat are now sold out. Photo: 源五郎/Photo-ACThe wooden Toki no Kane bell tower is the symbol of Koedo that goes back to the 1600s. The 16m-tall structure was erected by the former feudal lord of the Kawagoe Domain, Tadakatsu Sakai. However, the original tower was destroyed in the Great Kawagoe Fire of 1893, and the current tower is a reconstruction built in the following year. The Toki no Kane bell rings mechanically four times a day at 6am, noon, 3pm and 6pm. There’s also a small Yakushi Shrine behind the bell tower, which is believed to be good for eye-related illnesses. Photo: Kawagoe Hikawa ShrineThis nearly 1,500-year-old sanctuary is known for granting wishes related to matters of the heart There are plenty of matchmaking charms sold here but the most popular one comes in the shape of a red pencil the closer you come to your destined partner You’ll also find wooden boxes filled with omikuji fortune slips shaped like little red snapper fish Grab a small fishing rod and snag one of these adorable lucky charms Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine offers plenty of Instagram-worthy photo ops so it’s worth visiting in a kimono or yukata There’s a picturesque tunnel of ema (small wooden prayer plaques) to walk through and in summer you can find gates covered in colourful wind chimes Don’t miss the two ancient sacred zelkova trees in the back of the shrine grounds you’ll reach a stream that’s lined by cherry blossoms in spring.  3-2 Saiwaicho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama prefecture (Kawagoe, Honkawagoe stations). 049 227 7030. 11am-5.30pm, Sat, Sun & hols 10am-6.30pm (last orders 30 min before closing). Photo: Starbucks Coffee CompanyLittle Edo’s Starbucks outlet is easy to overlook as it blends in perfectly with the old-fashioned townscape The building was designed in the traditional warehouse style complete with a wooden exterior made of local cedarwood and a typical tiled roof You’ll find it just a few doors down from the Toki no Kane bell tower Kawagoe’s long history is even reflected in the cushions on the shop’s benches a local kimono fabric used since the late Edo period (1603-1868) and held in place by decorative traditional ume musubi-style knotted cords opt for the outdoor terrace seats at the back of the store where you’ll have splendid views onto the Japanese garden Photo: Kaila ImadaKakigori (shaved ice with syrup) is the perfect summer treat, and one of the best places to get a taste of it is at Korekaki short for Kore ga Kakigori (‘This is kakigori’) The kakigori are made exclusively with water from the Minami Alps Besides common fruity flavours such as strawberry the little store is especially famous for its unique creations made using local ingredients from Kawagoe and Saitama prefecture Opt for the sweet potato kakigori that’s served with a sauce made from cassis to enhance the flavour or the lemon milk cheese kakigori Another highlight uses local matcha and white azuki bean paste from Hyogo prefecture which is topped with condensed jersey milk foam so you’ll always find something new to try On the day of your visit, make sure to get a numbered ticket online to skip the lines Photo: Tabea GreunerThe most popular lunch option when visiting Kawagoe is unaju (broiled eel over rice, served in a lacquered box). There are many unagi (freshwater eel) restaurants in the neighbourhood serving this local speciality, but Unagi Hayashiya’s version is one of the best Hayashiya’s unaju comes in two different sizes starting from ¥4,000 and is served with pickles and a clear soup containing some of the eel’s innards Photo: facebook.com/coedobreweryLocal brewery Coedo is famous for its diverse lineup of craft beer including its signature Beniaka ale made from Saitama sweet potatoes At Coedo’s new brewery-restaurant, opened in July 2020, you can not only sample the brand’s standard draft beers, but also limited editions brewed right next door. Coedo’s staff learned their techniques from a German brewmaster, so you know you’re getting world-class beer. The restaurant’s food is based on Chinese cuisine – think homemade dim sum, jiaozi dumplings and dandan noodles – using local ingredients and organic vegetables. If you’re looking for a drink to go, head straight to the Coedo Kiosk. The small takeaway shop at the brewery sells bottled and canned beer, and will even refill your growlers, too. U_Place 1F, 8-1 Wakitahoncho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama prefecture (Kawagoe, Honkawagoe stations). 049 265 7857. 11.30am-3.30pm, 5pm-10pm; Sat & Sun 11.30am-10pm (Last orders 3pm & 9pm). Photo: Keisuke TanigawaTo blend in with Koedo’s traditional townscape it’s worth getting dressed up in a kimono or yukata One of the best and most reasonably priced places to rent a full traditional outfit is Coedo Vivian Located close to the Toki no Kane bell tower Vivian offers kimono/yukata rentals plus hair arrangements for a mere ¥3,300 (¥4,400 for men; ¥7,150 for couples) The deal includes the actual kimono/yukata You can choose from 300 different kimono and yukata designs and a large selection of belts Vivian will even store your personal belongings until your return you’ve got the outfit for the entire day – just make sure to get back to the store one hour before closing time Koedo Kurari Showa Gura (Photo: Koedo Kurari)This sake spot is a great place to learn about Saitama’s local booze. Koedo Kurari consists of three restored storehouses that once belonged to the Kagamiyama Shuzo Brewery, established in 1875. For some sake tasting, head straight to the Showa Gura, established at the beginning of the Showa period (1926-1989). Here you can sample local concoctions from 34 different Saitama breweries, all via vending machine. For ¥500, you can buy four tokens, each of which will get you one cup of sake. At Meiji Gura – built in the middle of the Meiji era (1868-1912) – you can find a large variety of souvenirs, including bottles of local sake, monaka wafers filled with sweet bean paste, sweet potato snacks and more. There is also a café on site, offering a range of lunch options and desserts. Dating back to the early Taisho period (1912-1926), Taisho Gura houses Hasshutei, a restaurant serving meals made from local ingredients. You’ll find plenty of sweet potato dishes, set meals and udon, as well as appetisers such as Kawagoe pork kakuni (stew of cubed meat) and Kawagoe zaru tofu. 1-10-1 Shintomicho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama prefecture (Honkawagoe Station). 049 228 0855. 10am-6pm daily. Photo: Rachabodin Suwannakanthi/DreamstimeFind some of Japan’s most beautiful temples, hiking trails and nature attractions no more than a few hours from Tokyo Photo: Grandvaux Spa VillageThese luxury campgrounds in neighbouring Chiba and Saitama prove you don’t have to travel far to get back to nature Photo: Blanscape/DreamstimeExplore versions of Himeji Castle a Japanese old town and more in and around Tokyo Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us Known as "Little Edo" (the old name of Tokyo), Kawagoe City is one of Saitama Prefecture's top tourist destinations To address overtourism and improve pedestrian safety the city plans to trial a pedestrian-only zone twice a year in its main tourist area The effectiveness of this initiative will be evaluated after each trial lined with historic kura (warehouse-style) buildings In the narrowest sections about one meter wide many pedestrians couldn't cross before the light turned red were also seen crossing the two-lane road when traffic was momentarily clear "It was so crowded that walking smoothly was difficult I had to be careful not to step onto the road because it was dangerous." Kawagoe's annual tourist numbers fluctuated around seven million from 2014 to 2019 After a sharp decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic visitor numbers rebounded to seven million in 2025 the city will implement a pedestrian-only trial starting in 2025 It will cover about 400 meters along Ichibangai's main street between the Satsu-no-Tsuji and Nakacho intersections The trial will take place during peak tourist seasons: May 3–5 and November 1–3,  six days each year The measure aims to create a safer environment for both tourists and locals A 2025 city survey found that about 85% of residents considered Ichibangai "dangerous" or "somewhat dangerous," with around 76% of business owners agreeing Many expressed support for the pedestrian-only zone as a solution concerns remain about rerouted traffic causing congestion on other roads Residents near the pedestrian zone may also face difficulties accessing their homes The city will assess the trial's impact before deciding on its future A 60-year-old self-employed man from Kawagoe commented on the plan: "Especially on weekends Ichibangai can be very crowded and dangerous I'm happy this pedestrian zone will allow more people to visit Kawagoe safely." You must be logged in to post a comment Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information Saitama Prefecture—The Ichibangai shopping street here is lined with quaint warehouse-style merchant houses and bustling with rickshaws and couples in kimono The 430-meter-long street retains the ambience of a bygone time boasting many structures built from the Edo Period (1603-1867) through the Showa Era (1926-1989) One of these buildings is Resona Koedo Terrace which was remodeled from a Western-style house built more than 100 years ago to serve as a bank branch an observation deck was established on a second-floor terrace of the building offering a panoramic view of the old townscape Although some trees partially block the view the city’s iconic “Toki-no-kane” bell tower can be seen from the deck Visitors can also get up close to a striking “onigawara” ornamental tile on the roof of the Kobayashi residence next door Onigawara are modeled after “oni,” mythical ogres which was built shortly after a great fire in 1893 is equipped with eyelash-like curvy metal bars that Nobuko Tatekawa believes were installed to protect the house from fires Kawagoe is nicknamed “Little Edo” because the feudal Kawagoe Domain was an important river shipping hub connected to Edo Because the city avoided bombing during World War II many remnants of the former castle town are still standing today Shop owners and other locals introduced rules in the 1980s to preserve and make use of the historic townscape helping Kawagoe to become a popular tourist destination with a population of approximately 350,000 attracted about 7.2 million tourists in 2023 Foreign samurai sought for Kawagoe parade for first time Hida-Takayama region laying on the charms for wealthy visitors Kawagoe online tour promotes post-pandemic tourism surge Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission The cherry trees planted along the Shin-Kashi River were lit up.The lights will not be turned on from Wednesday If you are enjoying the cherry blossoms at night please be mindful of your step as it is dark Please do not go down to the riverbank.Please also be quiet while viewing the exhibit Please be considerate of the local residents Location: Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (2-11-3 Miyashitacho, Kawagoe City) Back side along the Shin-Kashi River　　　https://www.kawagoehikawa.jp/ A large white snake painted on a giant ema wooden wishing plaque is waiting to greet New Year visitors to Kawagoe Hachimangu shrine in Kawagoe please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent A large white snake painted on a giant ema wooden wishing plaque is waiting to greet New Year visitors to Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine in Kawagoe which is about 2.7 meters tall and 3.6 meters wide It was created with the help of members of the art and culture club at Kawagoe Daiichi Junior High School in the city Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version a city whose Edo Period past already qualifies it for a weekend visit will leave you with a personalized souvenir of Japan that you can use every day puts you to work making your own set of chopsticks The staff offers a kind welcome and guides visitors to the back of the small shop where a wide choice of raw materials is available along with a description of each type of wood you will be guided to a seat and shown how to carve the chopsticks There are two molds that match numbers inscribed on the wood to be shaved into eating utensils After each side of your chopsticks are shaved to fit their molds you’ll use sandpaper to round them off into a smooth finish The chopsticks are dipped into an edible oil and then dried Put your dried chopsticks in a plastic holder and your journey is complete This activity takes no more than 30 minutes Instructions on maintaining your chopsticks comes with the holder Every part of this experience is satisfying sample some of the many small food stands on Kanetsuki-dori Diagonally across from the Bell of Time tower but plenty of stalls and restaurants on nearby Kanetsuki-dori By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. One of Greater Tokyo's most spectacular traditional matsuri the Kawagoe Festival has been going for more than 370 years The matsuri is famous for its huge floats parading along the city’s kurazukuri (old architecture) streets Make sure you stay until the evening when the floats are lit up and the festivities reach their peak in a cacophony of drums The festival float parade is held in front of city hall on Sunday (around 1.30pm-4pm) while the festival float light-up takes place on Saturday (around 6pm-7pm) hikkawase is held throughout the evening on both Saturday and Sunday You'll also find fringe events on both days including a traditional acrobatic ladder performance (around 6.20pm) and a mikoshi (portable shrine) parade (from 1pm) on Saturday For the detailed event schedule, visit here. National Report Chiba Prefecture--A woman here was assaulted and abducted during a home invasion on Oct but police tracked down the robbery group and rescued her later that night in Kawagoe Another man suspected of being part of the robbery group turned himself in at a police station in Kanagawa Prefecture in the early hours of Oct Fujii is also believed to be connected to two other criminal cases including the death of an elderly man at his home in Yokohama The abducted woman in her 50s suffered severe facial injuries Her disappearance came to light around 7 a.m The mother found a smashed window and bloodstains inside the house She said the family safe was tampered with they found that the group had taken the daughter to a hotel in Kawagoe police apprehended Fujii when he left the hotel room and rescued the woman Police said it remains unclear why he exited the room Fujii was formally arrested on suspicion of confining the woman The woman told police that she was sleeping at home when three men broke in and beat and kicked her forced into a car and taken to the hotel in Kawagoe but the adhesive tape was removed when she was told to leave the room a series of robberies targeting homes and stores have occurred across the Tokyo area a 75-year-old resident was found dead in his home with his hands and feet bound Around 200,000 yen ($1,300) in cash had been stolen and his body showed signs that he had been beaten Investigative sources said Fujii’s fingerprints match those recovered from the man’s home Fujii is also suspected of involvement in an Oct where two men attacked an elderly couple and stole about 9 million yen an intruder or intruders broke into a home tied up two female residents in their 70s and 40s A man carrying a backpack was seen at the Yokohama crime scene and similar-looking man with a backpack was spotted near the scenes in Chiba Prefecture Given the similarities in the modus operandi of the bandits police suspect the same masterminds are likely behind the cases comprising officers from Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department and the Saitama Chiba and Kanagawa prefectural police departments (This article was compiled from reports by Jun Sugie Yokohama man killed at home; robbers attack women in Chiba Sapporo family rearrested over decapitated body found in hotel Rash of robberies by fake utility inspectors rocks greater Tokyo Disabled woman forced to sell body sentenced for killing client Police arrest 25 Japanese over Cambodia-based phone scam Kawagoe City Hall has announced the trial implementation of a "pedestrian paradise (pedestrian road)" in Kawagoe Ichibangai (a street lined with storehouses) ■For more details, please visit the Kawagoe City Hall website.https://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/shisei/seisaku/1008208/1008337/1016481/1017184.html ■During Golden Week, roads and parking lots in the city are expected to be very congested, so Kawagoe City has announced areas where traffic congestion is expected during the "pedestrian zone" period. Please refer to the following website 👇https://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/kanko/kotsu/1017668.html 　Last year, when the "pedestrian paradise" was not implemented, congestion occurred, including confusion between people and vehicles, traffic jams, and parking lots filling up early. To avoid traffic jams and ensure a safe sightseeing experience, please use public transportation when visiting Kawagoe. Please refer to the following website.https://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/kanko/kotsu/1017701/index.html ■Mayor of Kawagoe City, Morita Hatsue, has posted an announcement and request regarding the "trial implementation of a pedestrian mall on Ichibangai" on YouTube 👇https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tliHgsy5WyM Tokyo isn’t short of brilliant cherry blossom spots but there are also incredible sakura destinations just outside the city that are perfect for pleasant day trips Not only are these lesser-known areas beautiful they also tend to be less crowded than some of the cherry blossom hotspots around Tokyo From sakura with the backdrop of Mt Fuji to traditional gardens full of pink flowers these cherry blossom retreats are definitely worth the excursion RECOMMENDED: The greatest cherry blossom trees of Japan and where to see them which takes place from March 29 to April 20 this year. During this event you can take a slow boat ride along the sakura-lined river How to get there: Kawagoe Station is about 30 minutes from Ikebukuro Station you can take a ten-minute bus ride to Hikawa Shrine Bus numbers 1 and 6 from Kawagoe Station are your quickest options Photo: Nathapon Triratanachat/DreamstimeGongendo Park looks like it came straight out of a painting The colours are stunning at this famous sakura-viewing spot which has a striking 1 km-long stretch of cherry blossom trees right next to a field of bright yellow nanohana (canola flowers) Around 1,000 cherry blossom trees make up the sakura tunnel and are accented with cute pink lanterns during peak season How to get there: Gongendo Park is about an hour and a half from Ueno Station by train and bus You can walk to the park in around 30 minutes or take a 6 minute bus from Satte Station Photo: Minchun Chen/DreamstimeThis massive greenspace a short train ride from Tokyo is home to a magnificent collection of roughly 1,200 cherry blossom trees. You’ll find them along the banks of Omiya Park’s very own lake and around Hikawa Shrine Plenty of food vendors set up in the park during sakura season so you can easily enjoy a peaceful hanami picnic under the trees How to get there: It’s just over 30 minutes from Tokyo Station to Omiya Station you can walk to the park in about 20 minutes the cherry blossoms along the lake are lit up for a gorgeous yozakura (evening cherry blossom viewing) experience How to get there: The cherry blossoms are located on the north end of the lake near Kawaguchiko North Bank Walking Trail It’s about three hours from central Tokyo by train and bus take the Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus for around 20 minutes and alight at Sarumawashi Theater Konohana Museum Photo: Danilo Mongiello/DreamstimePopular seaside destination Kamakura is a lovely place to visit come spring. One of the best spots to catch the blooming cherry blossoms is at Kotokuin the temple where you’ll find the Great Buddha of Kamakura There are some gorgeous trees situated around the Buddha (which make for great photos) as well as throughout the rest of the temple grounds How to get there: Kamakura is roughly an hour from Tokyo Station. Once you get to Kamakura Station, take the Enoden tramline to Hase Station from where Kotokuin Temple is a seven-minute walk Photo: Wiradej Thongsuwan/DreamstimeHakone is a relaxing getaway for an onsen break but it’s also a wonderful spot to enjoy spring’s most popular flowers One of the local sakura hotspots is the Haya River in Miyagino which is home to a 450m-stretch of somei-yoshino sakura trees More than 100 trees are planted here and the entire area is illuminated during the Miyagino Cherry Blossom Festival which usually takes place from the end of March until mid-April.  How to get there: This sakura spot is about one hour and 15 minutes from Tokyo Station by shinkansen and bus you can take a bus to the Miyagino Information Center from where the river is a couple of minutes’ walk away The T Togendai Line bus heading for Togendai is the best option How to get there: Sankeien Garden is just over an hour from Shinagawa Station by train and bus 106 and 168 will take you from Yokohama Station to Sankeien-Iriguchi bus stop How to get there: You can easily reach Hadano Station on the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station in just over an hour Then take the number 11 bus for 7 minutes to Culture Park-mae bus-stop How to get there: The Happoiwa Observatory is about two hours and 45 minutes from Tokyo Station by train and bus. The closest bus stop is Okutamako, from where the observatory is just a three-minute walk. Photo: Winhorse/iStockGet an idea of when you can expect to see this year’s blooms across Japan in Tokyo Here's where and when to catch sakura across Japan There's more to these pink and white flowers than you think Read the full story on Japan 2 Earth - Pioneering Green Hydrogen System Launched to Push Decarbonization On August 6, a trial operation began for the green hydrogen production system led by Yamanashi Prefecture Unit 1 of the Yamanashi Model Power-to-Gas (P2G) System was started on a trial basis at a concrete component factory in Kawagoe City This marks the first installation of green hydrogen production equipment at an existing factory in Japan.  The system is designed to support the switch from fossil fuels like city gas and heavy oil to green hydrogen. As it emits no carbon dioxide (CO2), green hydrogen is linked to decarbonization efforts Yamanashi Prefecture is leading the way in promoting P2G technology Plans are in place to introduce one of the world's largest P2G systems The system was introduced at a Taisei U-Lec factory in Kawagoe. A subsidiary of major general contractor Taisei Corporation Taisei U-Lec manufactures construction concrete components The PEM type P2G system was jointly developed by Yamanashi Prefecture and others.  A small 500-kilowatt type is now operating The P2G system electrolyzes water to produce hydrogen using electricity generated from 1 MW solar power equipment installed on the factory's roof This hydrogen is used as boiler fuel to generate steam That heat is then utilized in the curing process to accelerate concrete hardening.  Continue reading the full story on Japan 2 Earth to read more about plans to mass produce the green hydrogen system to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality And find more great articles on the environment and the challenges of achieving the SDGs on our affiliated website Japan 2 Earth (J2E) sparking a transition to a sustainable future (Read the article in Japanese.) Author: Takashi Hirao You must be logged in to post a comment but family ties remain the same.A story of love and bonds passed down from parent to child and from child to grandchild.It first premiered in Japan in 1967 In the midst of a rapidly changing world situation this masterpiece musical presents contemporary themes that are relevant in any era and any country and dance scenes.The final performance will be held in Kawagoe who has played the lead role of Tevye since 2004 (I.e.Musical "Fiddler on the Roof" Saitama performance2025/05/31 (Sat) - 2025/06/01 (Sun)Opening: 12: 15Start: 13: 00Venue: Westa Kawagoe Large Hall 💰Price: <All seats reserved> S seats 14,500 yen / A seats 9,000 yen / B seats 4,500 yen first served)■Release date: March 3th (Tue)■Ticket handling:　Westa Kawagoe 1st floor general information　　・9:00 to 19:00 (excluding inspection days and other holidays)　　・Payment is limited to cash Westa Kawagoe Online Ticket Service https://p-ticket.jp/westa-kawagoe　　・Tickets will be accepted from 12:00 on the first day of sales Production: TohoOrganizer: Designated Manager NeCST (Next) [Kawagoe City Proposal Project] For further information, please read Westa Kawagoe website Inquiries: Westa Kawagoe Designated Manager NeCST (Next)1-17-17 Arajukumachi, Kawagoe City 049-249-3777　　　　 https://westa-kawagoe.jp/ Access: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from the west exit of "Kawagoe Station" on the JR Kawagoe Line and Tobu Tojo Line (by train)　　　　　Approximately 2.5km from Kawagoe IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway (in the case of a car) a parade of massive floats and a grand tea ceremony are happening in and near Tokyo the annual Kawagoe Festival has been going on for more than 370 years The matsuri is famous for its huge floats parading along the city’s kurazukuri (old architecture) streets hikkawase is held throughout the evening on both Saturday and Sunday including a traditional acrobatic ladder performance (around 6.20pm) and a mikoshi (portable shrine) parade (from 1pm) on Saturday A large-scale tea ceremony where even those who aren’t familiar with the custom are welcome to participate. The event will be held at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum on Saturday October 19 and Sunday October 20, and the weekend after at the Hamarikyu Gardens on October 26 and 27 There are different tea ceremonies held between 10am and 4.15pm and sessions cost ¥800 per person (¥500 for the children’s session) While the indoor tea ceremony in Japanese is already booked out the English sessions can be booked at the venue on the day itself.  you’ll find plenty of other cultural programmes including live performances of daikagura (ceremonial dance) Check the website to see what’s on at each venue Entrance to the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is free during the event Calling all gin fans: you’d want to make a beeline for Tokyo’s biggest gin festival happening on the third weekend in October With a picturesque canal-side location along Tennozu Isle this spirited festival at Warehouse Terrada offers tastings of over 100 brands and 250 types of gin from Japan and abroad merchandise (check out the event’s exclusive T-shirt ‘We're all connected by Juniper’) and plenty of food to balance out the drinking you can purchase it at the onsite bottleshop you'll need to first purchase the starter pack for ¥2,200 one gin and tonic as well as the admission pass Additional tasting tickets are available in sets of 10 at ¥1,100 while gin and tonic is priced at ¥770 per cup Although summer is usually the season for fireworks in Japan this Shonan festival breaks away from tradition with a captivating fireworks show in October The 30-minute fireworks show is scheduled for 6pm on Saturday October 19 You can expect approximately 1,800 rockets of colourful bursts launched against the dark silhouette of the nearby Enoshima Island The nighttime seascape makes for the perfect backdrop for this explosive showcase park yourself at the Katase Nishihama beach on the mainland.  For more things to do, see our curated list of Tokyo weekend events Here’s the official 2024 autumn leaves forecast for Japan Shibuya is officially closed for Halloween 2024 33,000 kochia bushes are now growing at Hitachi Seaside Park near Tokyo Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera Temple is open till late for a special light-up this autumn teamLab opens a new permanent exhibition at a rice terrace in Ibaraki Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic It seemed better to avoid encouraging travel to a popular and frequently crowded tourist destination even when the absence of foreign tourists had reduced the number of visitors Now COVID-19 has been downgraded and the government advisory on wearing masks was lifted on March 12 Coincidentally it is a good time to visit Kawagoe and not just for its Edo period ambience and history.  the sakura viewing season is just starting and Kawagoe has numerous viewing sites Kawagoe was an important commercial and transhipment center for Edo it was sometimes referred to as the "kitchen of Edo" (江戸の台所).  The most famous feature of Kawagoe is Kurazukuri Street (蔵造りの街並み) It features a row of buildings in a style widely used for shops and warehouses in the Edo period the buildings themselves date from the Meiji (1868-1912) period They were built following a devastating fire in 1893 Most of the buildings are still in use as shops although not necessarily in the same line of business as in the 19th century.  The Kurazukuri Museum also known as the Kurazukuri Exhibition Hall is housed in a shop built by a tobacco wholesaler in 1893 In the Museum one can feel the 19th century ambiance and learn about the construction of the kurazukuri buildings There are also good explanations of the periodic fires that were the reason for their construction (The museum is currently temporarily closed for work to strengthen the building against earthquakes.) Just off the Kurazukuri Street is the Bell Tower (時の鐘) a favorite backdrop for selfies It has a bell similar to those in Buddhist temples (conical in shape hit from the outside by a wooden pole) that sounds four times per day: 0600 Its original structure was constructed in the early 17th century This Kawagoe City Museum has large models showing the development of Kawagoe at different periods It includes a cut-away model showing the internal aspects of the kurashiki construction style and the ceremonies associated with construction This museum is some distance from the kurazukuri shops area But the walk to it is also pleasant and worth the effort The regular exhibit deals with the history of the Kawagoe area from the earliest human habitation to the present.  the changing exhibit area was devoted to re-creations of shops and homes in postwar Japan in the 1960s The exhibition was very well done. It was particularly interesting to me as a social historian who first came to Japan in 1971. Adult admission is only ￥200 JPY. Details are here While known primarily for its Edo-Meiji era architecture, Kawagoe also has fine examples of commercial buildings from the Taisho era (1912-1926) Most are on Taisho Roman Street just to the east of Kurashiki Street Roman here means romantic. It refers to a sense that the Taisho period was something special between the hard driving modernization of the Meiji era and the militarism of the Showa era (1926-1989) Another term applied to this period is Taisho democracy (大正デモクラシー) In terms of lifestyle, Taisho roman is associated with casual kimono for women and eclectic mixing of Japanese and foreign styles This is still to be seen on Taisho Roman Street. Find it in the form of a wood-fired pizza restaurant housed in a kurazukuri building, boutique coffee shops, and the appearance of the street in guides for vegetarians visiting Japan It is also a good place to relax after dealing with the crowds on Kurashiki Street Taisho roman is further reflected in the Yamazaki House. This is a villa built in 1918, the seventh year of the Taisho period, for the 5th generation head of Uya (亀屋), a confectionary founded in 1783. His name was Kashichi Yamazaki (山崎嘉七) and he was also instrumental in the founding of the 85th national bank It is a registered cultural property and now houses a branch of the Saitama Resona Bank The Yamazaki family also funded an art museum Kawagoe is additionally known for its Japanese sweets They range from the pricey artisanal to very inexpensive "penny sweets" sold at dagashiya Shops offering inexpensive and retro sweets are also concentrated along a street known as Confectionary Row (菓子屋横丁) It is often very crowded with school children on an excursion to Kawagoe and families with children Early Showa period retro sweet treats such as fukashi (a stick of wheat bran covered in brown sugar) and amezaiku (handcrafted candy in the shape of animals and insects) are among the items on offer Shops featuring artisanal confections are on Kurashiki Street Particularly worth trying are items combining chocolate and matcha On one trip to Kawagoe I bought a matcha-chocolate confection that was truly delicious Because matcha has become well known outside of Japan, some may wish to take a side excursion to Miyanoen. There you can learn about Japanese tea at a working Japanese farm specializing in Sayama tea There are restaurants on Kurazukuri Street that offer matcha flavored soba noodles. Also, there are shops offering eclectic items such as matcha flavored sweet potato mousse made from Japanese mochi rice. Or try matcha tiramisu and matcha gelato. A guide can be found here Kawagoe is noted for sweet potato (サツマイモ) production are on sale at numerous shops in and around Kurazukuri Street "Soft cream," the Japanese term for soft serve ice cream made with purple sweet potatoes is a particular favorite of mine There are numerous restaurants in and around the Kurazukuri area few have the window samples so typical of Japan Usually the menu for the day is on a small chalkboard or a stand with photographs of what is on offer restaurants are often located on the sides of narrow allies or at the rear of a building that has a completely different shop facing the street Eating while standing or walking on the street is relatively uncommon in Japan the whole Kurazukuri area is rather like one large festival And it is at festivals where one will see casual eating while walking or standing in Japan Kawagoe is also known for fish and eel dishes and eels from the nearby Arakawa and Iruma rivers there are ryotei (料亭) offering kaiseki (会席料理) cuisine Each carefully prepared item is served in a distinctive dish From time to time there have been flare ups, mostly in the US, over the issue of "cultural appropriation." This has been especially true for non-Japanese wearing kimono Few if any Japanese have been involved in such protests The whole issue of cultural appropriation is little known in Japan and As is true of almost any major tourist site in Japan, Kawagoe is well stocked with kimono rental shops They are happy to provide kimono for both women and men Most patrons are young women, including Japanese. But on my last visit I was gratified to see Chinese-speaking male tourists decked out in hakama (袴) typically worn on occasions when women wear kimono Numerous seasonal festivals are held in Kawagoe including one dedicated to digging potatoes. But the most famous festival, which attracts enormous crowds, is the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival It consists of multi-story floats moving about and finally coming together at an intersection where performers engage in a musical competition This is done at night by the light of traditional Japanese paper lanterns Kawagoe Hikawa Festival is one of the 33 examples of float festivals in Japan that were registered in 2016 as part of the "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." If you are interested in Japanese celebrations, you can learn more at the Kawagoe Festival Museum on Kurashiki Street which is speficially dedicated to this festival The next festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 14 to Sunday, October 15, 2023. Also, there is a worthwhile short video showing the 2022 festival. Additionally, a longer and more professional video is also available.  Moreover, having developed as a castle town (城下町) and trading center, Kawagoe is well supplied with temples and shrines Kitain (喜多院) is the head temple for the Tendai sect (branch) of Buddhism in the Kanto region. It has several notable features other than the temple buildings.  statues of 540 disciples of the historical Buddha There is however a small charge for viewing the statues The second is a set of three buildings that were originally part of Edo Castle the seat of government for the Tokugawa shogunate that governed Japan (1603-1868) These buildings were moved to Kawagoe by order of the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604-1651) after the Kitain was destroyed by fire in 1638 One room is also said to be where Iemitsu himself was born Because of damage done by the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and US firebomb raids on Tokyo these buildings at Kitain are the only surviving components of the original Edo Castle complex there is a small charge for viewing these buildings and the adjacent garden Of similar historical interest is Honmaru Goten built in 1848 it is the only remaining portion of the Kawagoe Castle About a 10 minute walk from Kurazukuri Street this is the shrine that is the patron of the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival It is famous for its "corridor of marriage wind chimes." There are countless hopes for finding true love written on wooden cards hanging from the top and sides of the 10 meter corridor in July and August More important in terms of cherry blossom viewing is that if you take the rear exit from the shrine The scene features two extended ranks of cherry blossoms This is not only the most attractive of a dozen or so blossom viewing sites in Kawagoe It is also one of the most pleasant in the whole Kanto area When we visited in January, several early blooming sakura were in full flower. But the more common and noted Somei Yoshino variety are, as of this writing, just starting to bloom. You can see what they look like Kawagoe is served by three rail lines with frequent service The Seibu Line station is closer to the historical area than is the combined JR East – Tobu station the area around the Seibu Line station is bland and generic The walk from the JR East – Tobu station takes you through an interesting and funky shopping street that has an eclectic mix of high end "brand name" shops and foreign cuisine restaurants These are interspersed among low end discount shops and budget-priced eateries There are several shops and a small mall dedicated to Kawagoe products on this street Both Tobu and Seibu offer discount tickets for tourists covering transportation The Tobu ticket also offers discounts at some shops City-sponsored free Wi-Fi is available at 15 hotspots. Free software available under the official name Connected Japan Free Wi-Fi simplifies the process of access for the Kawagoe City and other systems.  The main issue in the historical area is the lack of a distinct sidewalk on what is the main route to the JR East – Tobu station The narrow walkways along this street can be packed with pedestrians almost to the level of inbound commuter trains during the morning rush hour The Accessible Japan site has details Jinrikisha rides are available from a base near the Saitama Resona Bank branch on Kurazukuri Street Bicycle rental is also available although I do not recommend it There is very limited bicycle parking near Kurashiki Street and most other sites are no more than a 10 minute walk away Tourist information is available at several sites and on-line. The Japan National Tourist Organization has an informative pamphlet with a walking map that can be printed for easy reference Despite having been to Kawagoe numerous times by train and by cycling along the Arakawa River there is much to see and discover on side streets And going on a non-holiday weekend means fewer visitors There is something to see in Kawagoe all year round but the cherry blossom season is a particularly good time to go and even well-known viewing sites in the city will not be as crowded as those in Tokyo Find other stories about Tokyo and nearby areas by Dr Kinmonth on JAPAN Forward Photos: By Earl H Kinmonth and Shinichiro Kageyama You must be logged in to post a comment. Text description provided by the architects. This house is located in a quiet residential area, which is to Northside of Kurazukuri Zone (Old storehouse zone) in Kawagoe City In the summer Koedo Kawagoe Fireworks Display is exciting in the whole city a lot of lantern lights in front of the house are fantastic and traditional.What is the best harmony of their family's lifestyle and the traditional Kawagoe City Natural lighting and natural ventilation by the high windows there are This house has solar panels on the roof for water heating system and a ventilation system It sends warm air from the loft to the “Doma” on the first floor You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Holding period: 2025/02/01 (Sat) -2025/02/16 (Sun) The projector will project a shadow puppet based on the traditional Japanese snowflake pattern found on kimonos called "Setsuhana Komon."The storehouse-style building and the Japanese atmosphere are in harmony creating a tasteful and warm shadow puppet illumination👍 All the staff at the Tourist Information Center have been working hard to prepare for this event.We hope you enjoy Kawagoe at night while admiring the kura-zukuri buildings When: February 2025st (Sat) - February 2th (Sun) 1　　　Daytime (10am-5pm): Light-up washi paper decorations on display in the tatami room 　　At night (5pm - 8pm): The main entrance door of the Tourist Information Center is lit up Where 📌 Kawagoe City Nakamachi Tourist Information Center (2-3 Nakamachi, Kawagoe City)　※Information center website💻https://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/shisei/shisetsu/kanko/1013327/1013331.html Period: 2025/03/11 (Tue) - 2025/09/28 (Sun) The Yaoko Kawagoe Museum of Art is holding an exhibition by Misu Uji entitled "Flowers fruits and the sea - I perceive myself as living things" 🎉The exhibition will be held at the museum near Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine from March 2025 to September 3 11.Misu Uji has created many works that explore the brilliance of life and the beauty of aging.The exhibition features his representative "Rankan" series as well as the results of his work that confronts nature.For example such as "Rankan," a painting of cherry blossoms and "Shinshu Uminoguchi," a work painted in oil and pastel will captivate visitors.The exhibition also features works that symbolize the end and rebirth of life such as a work depicting an abandoned ship and seagulls and a scene in which soft light shines on a decaying apple.Misu's works are not just realistic paintings reflecting his gentle perspective.This is an exhibition where you can feel the beauty and transience of life When: March 2025th (Tue) to September 3th (Sun) 11　　　10:5am - 4:30pm (entry until XNUMX:XNUMXpm)Where is Yaoko Kawagoe Museum?(109-1 Hikawacho Admission fee: 300 yen for adultsClosed on Mondays(If it is a holiday For details, please click here↓Site 💻Yaoko Kawagoe Art Museum Misu Uji Memorial Museum The "Kawagoe Festival 10" will be held on Saturday Some neighborhoods will create original Kawagoe Festival merchandise and sell it at their local community centers Please take a look at the video below to see some of the local goods so please come to the meeting place on the day of the festival *Please check the prices directly at each venue please refer to the website below or the Kawagoe Festival venue guide map 💻Kawagoe Festival Hall Map　https://www.kawagoematsuri.jp/matsurimap-R6.html ◆ Kawagoe Festival Venue Guide Map 👇Click on the image to enlarge👇 ◆List of meeting locations 👇Click on the image to enlarge👇 ************************************************ For more information about the Kawagoe Festival ＜Organizer＞ Kawagoe Festival Support Association (Kawagoe City Hall Tourism Division) 💻Kawagoe Festival Homepage　https://www.kawagoematsuri.jp/traffic-R6.html Two novelists were selected Wednesday to receive Japan's prestigious Akutagawa and Naoki literary awards for their works about the past and present lives of a family in southwestern Japan and history of the indigenous Ainu ethnic group in the north won the Akutagawa Prize for up-and-coming authors for his novel "Seitakaawadachiso" (Tall goldenrod) got the Naoki Prize for entertainment fiction for "Netsugen" (Heat source) Furukawa has written about a family with roots to a small island in Kyushu which portrays past and present events that occurred on an island in Nagasaki is written in a fragmented manner which is then woven together The committee said the story "skillfully rendered the many layers of history that had taken root in that land." Kawagoe made his debut in 2018 after winning the Matsumoto Seicho literary award named after the famed novelist Set on Karafuto -- the present-day Russian island of Sakhalin -- Kawagoe's novel follows the Ainu ethnic minority as it grapples with the tide of modernity It was described by the committee as a "literary world of a large scale that is rarely seen in recent times." Furukawa appeared nervous at a press conference "The feeling of joy will probably come to me when I return to my everyday life." Kawagoe said he is surprised at winning the award and vowed to produce even better works The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Tokyo in late February with each author receiving 1 million yen ($9,100) in prize money The Akutagawa Prize was established in 1935 in memory of the Japanese novelist Ryunosuke Akutagawa Tokyo bookstore charges entry, but offers joy of discovery -- coffee too Tokyo manga hotel makes virtue of sleepless nights Haruki Murakami looks back over 40 years of literary endeavors Aso apologizes for remarks about Japan's historical unity Ainu minority to file suit for fishing rights in northern Japan To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible By Many travelers flock to Tokyo and its picture-perfect landscape of neon and chrome vibrant with urban activity and modern convenience north of the capital lies Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture a portal to a bygone era that abounds with timeless Japanese charm Perhaps what’s instantly striking upon arriving at Kawagoe is the sense of nostalgia embedded in the area’s distinctive warehouse-style architecture Although Japanese houses were typically made of wood this former merchant town’s thriving commerce allowed for the construction of low-rise buildings with grey or white clay walls and black clay roof tiles This was done in part to protect the city from further fires after several broke out in the 1800s and burned down Kawagoe’s buildings—the most catastrophic being the Great Fire of Kawagoe in 1893 which destroyed nearly a third of the area Kawagoe’s vintage vibe is most abundant in Kurazukuri Street—the unofficial nickname for culturally-rich Nakacho district—which would make a visitor feel as though they’ve stepped into a Ghibli movie A fifteen-minute walk north from Hon-Kawagoe Station Kurazukuri—which translates to “building a warehouse”—comprises several blocks housing more than 200 structures in the iconic warehouse style Many of these homes have been converted into stores selling traditional crafts and delicacies and the aroma of Japanese barley or green teas wafts from some of the storefronts Many of these houses line up along the main street of this district locals dressed in kimono and other traditional attire roam around Kawagoe’s most iconic landmark can be found here: the Toki no Kane clock tower the majestic tower was built in the mid-1600s and was rebuilt four times following several outbreaks of fire in the city The several museums scattered around Kawagoe are comprehensive enough in documenting the city’s rich history to satisfy the curious visitor The pieces are few but provide a quaint look at how artists viewed the world around them and getting to see the interior of the warehouse gallery is a plus The former residence of an Edo-era tobacco salesman delves into Kawagoe’s history of fires with its display of photos of the city’s beginnings and artifacts from the fire and old-style firefighters the Osawa House has its share of stories to tell the Osawa House is the oldest storehouse in Kawagoe and one of the few remaining storehouses from the Edo Period (1603-1868).  (1-15-2 Motomachi the Kashiya Yokocho—or “Candy Alley”—offers treats for all the senses Candy Alley retains the retro vibe of the Meiji Period (1868-1912) when its first candy shop was opened and shortly thereafter blossomed into the candy-filled backstreet it is today Mom-and-pop candy stores line the streets selling homemade confectionery utilizing candy-making methods of yore where guests can stop and play with Japanese tops and a myriad other fun gadgetry from a simpler time Quiet 1960s Japan-type coffee shops are also nearby for a quick repose from wandering around Kawagoe’s popularity peaks every third weekend of October when the 360-year-old Kawagoe Festival draws in tourists from around the country with its lively percussive music and accompanying dance images from and information about the festival can be found at the Kawagoe Festival Museum (2-1-10 Motomachi While much of Kawagoe is accessible on foot the most convenient mode of transport is the Koedo Loop Bus The bus route goes through a majority of the popular sightseeing destinations including those in Kurazukuri Street and other nearby sites such as Kitain Temple and Honmaru Goten From purple sweet potatoes to wild horse sightings here’s how to make the most of Okinawa’s tropical escape Explore the best local brands shaping Tokyo’s fashion scene From vintage clothing to Hawaiian-themed goods here’s what’s worth checking out before it’s gone From buying and registering a bike to key rules of the road Collagen staples for beauty and health in Japan Our handpicked list of the best events going on this month and the untold tales of Japan’s queer community Everything you need to know before and during a natural disaster Stay up to date with Tokyo news and events Saitama Prefecture--A samurai parade held as part of the annual Koedo Kawagoe Spring Festival in the historic city will include non-Japanese participants for the first time The move is aimed at entertaining inbound tourists with "kacchu" traditional Japanese armor in the city nicknamed "Koedo," or Little Edo a city-based enthusiast group for samurai armor the procession will take place on March 24 The group intends to include about 20 non-Japanese participants for the parade which usually consists of approximately 50 people They must be 180 centimeters or shorter with a waistline of 100 cm or less "We want to have interviews to decide who can join the parade because it will require about five hours of their time," said Katsuhiro Terada Shishi-no-Kai was founded in 1976 to learn the history of Japanese armor and join various events clad in the protective clothing to pass down its tradition Some of its about 120 members are also members of a preservation association for matchlock guns handed down to feudal Kawagoe Domain now part of present-day Saitama Prefecture They give demonstrations of the antique firearm the group will also host an armor exhibition on Feb during which guests can put on samurai armor which is located alongside the Ichibangai shopping street lined with traditional "kura" warehouses It costs 2,000 yen ($14) for adults and 1,000 yen for children Samurai armor gifted to Malta in 19th century back for repairs ‘Two-sword’ Ohtani looks sharp ahead of WBC opener ‘Castle stay’ programs bestow ‘lordships’ from one million yen The information on this page is intended for journalists If you click NO you will come back to Mynewsdesk.com Just half-an-hour northwest from Tokyo's Ikebukuro station, along the Tobu Tojo Line, is the charming, well-preserved Koedo or "Little Edo" town of Kawagoe when the maples are fiery red and the ginkgoes are golden yellow the shrine looked just like a floating (uki) island (shima) it's the golden ginkgoes that are the star at Ukishima particularly as the fallen leaves scatter below the nearly 200-year-old stone torii gate we can still experience the music and colorful Furthermore, for those in Japan, the Kawagoe Festival Museum, near the historic Edo period Bell Tower  displays the floats during the rest of the year and is equipped with an enormous screen for a simulated experience of the live event Both passes are a great value for tourists from abroad Kawagoe looks forward to welcoming travelers back as soon as the international gates are opened Come rent a kimono and stroll around old town Kawagoe is a major Japanese corporation consisting of approximately 90 companies The Tobu Railway covers the longest operating distance in Metropolitan Tokyo leading to numerous tourist attractions including: Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN in Tokyo; Nikko and Kinugawa-Onsen famous for its world heritage sites and hot springs; the Tatebayashi and Ashikaga areas known for their blooming flower fields; and Kawagoe and Tochigi City where the atmosphere of the old Edo era lives on Tobu is also invested in a portfolio of hotels including the newly opened The Ritz-Carlton Tobu Railway's massive network extends through Tokyo as well as four surrounding prefectures: Chiba Tobu is Kanto's largest private railway and is used by commuters Tobu Railways is one of many companies that is part of the Tobu Group where the world's most famous structures are re-created at 1:25 scale; the Courtyard Marriott Ginza Tobu Hotel and the Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo operated in partnership with the Marriott Group The Tobu Group also develops and manages condominiums and various other properties along its railways and in Tokyo as well When you choose to create a user account and follow a newsroom your personal data will be used by us and the owner of the newsroom for you to receive news and updates according to your subscription settings To learn more about this, please read our Privacy Policy, which applies to our use of your personal data, and our Privacy Policy for Contacts which applies to the use of your personal data by the owner of the newsroom you follow Please note that our Terms of Use apply to all use of our services You can withdraw your consent at any time by unsubscribing or deleting your account To celebrate Japan's "traditional sake brewing" being registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO "Tasting Machine Conquest Challenge" will be held at Showa Brewery in "Koedo Kurari" 🍶 [Challenge Course]...Two courses to choose from▶ All-alcohol course: Try all 50 tasting machines o Achievers will receive a special masu and a commemorative glass as well as a 300ml bottle of Showa Brewery sake of their choice *60 medals are required to sample all varieties.▶ Daiginjo Mastery Course: Enjoy all 10 types of Daiginjo sake with our dedicated tasting machine o The winner will receive a 300ml bottle of Showa Kurauchi sake of their choice *20 medals will be awarded for the tasting required to complete this course 【way to participate】...It's easy to participate 👍 Let's aim for our achievement!1 Choose your favorite sake from the tasting machine and enjoy Record the sake you sample in your own original record book [Event summary]▶ When: January 2025th (Mon) - March 1st (Mon) 13▶ Time: 11:00-19:00 (Showa Brewery)▶ Where 📌Kawagoe City Industry and Tourism Center Koedo Kurari Showagura (1-10-1 Shintomi-cho Saitama Prefecture) *15 minutes walk from JR Kawagoe Line/Tobu Tojo Line "Kawagoe Station" / 3 minutes walk from Seibu Shinjuku Line "Hon-Kawagoe Station" ▶ Contact Us(Representative) ☎049-228-0855Site 💻https://www.machikawa.co.jp/※For details about the event, click here☞ 💻https://www.machikawa.co.jp/6614 Drums beat and flutes whistle a traditional sound—ancient Japanese melodies in an otherwise modern city We follow the alluring tune and quickly become engulfed by a town that stands still in time Men and women in kimono pass by and the buildings grow old as we progress ever closer to what looks like a raised Just half an hour from central Tokyo, the town locally known as Koedo (Little Edo) Edo was renamed to Tokyo in 1868, but a breath of that heritage lives on in Kawagoe’s “Little Edo”, with old-world buildings, shops offering traditional foods and gifts, an abundance of shrines and temples impassioned motivation to keep the history alive or even half-day trip to Kawagoe wonderfully contrasts the ultra-modern Tokyo cityscape and quickly overshadows the small oases of tradition that sprinkle the otherwise futuristic central metropolis The trek to Kawagoe is not only worthwhile but easy as well.  You must be logged in to post a comment The "Kawagoe Sake Experience" will be held at the Kawagoe Green Tourism Base Facility The program includes the experience of harvesting sake rice "Sake Musashi" and tasting "Kagamiyama" sake Taste the charcoal-grilled Koedo Kurobuta pork (you can grill it yourself)🍖 Participants will receive a souvenir from "Kagamiyama" 🍶 ①You can interact with producers of "Sake Musashi" sake rice grown in Saitama Prefecture and experience traditional rice harvesting ②There will be a lecture and explanation about sake by the master brewer of Kawagoe's only sake brewery a brand of pork from Kawagoe that impresses even gourmets *Please do not drive a car after participating in the event (Please use public transportation to get to the event.) 10 5:1pm-30pm *Registration begins at 4:1pm Where 📌Kawagoe City Green Tourism Base Facility(887 Isanuma 　　　　7 minutes walk from Tobu Bus "Kamoda" stop Cost👛1 yen per person *Insurance fee included 　　　　Experience sake rice harvesting (rice harvesting) Fixed employee👤30 people (first come first served) 　　　　(The rice field experience lasts about an hour) Clothing👔Clothes that you don't mind getting dirty How to apply🖊Please check the following website and apply👇 　　　　https://kawagoe-gt.com/event/detail/id=415 but applications will close once capacity is reached contact us☎ Weekdays: 049-224-5939 (Agricultural Policy Division 　　　　Weekends and holidays: 049-226-6551 (Green Tourism base facility: 8:30-17:00) https://kawagoe-gt.com/event/detail/id=415 Japanese version Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker sends a delegation of students and teachers to visit North Salem High School and experience American culture North Salem students are asking for help from the community to go to Japan for about one week this summer The 2016 Kawagoe Delegation will consist of three staff members and eight students; about 30 students applied Salem and Kawagoe have maintained a sister city relationship for almost 30 years Salem and Kawagoe has exchanged not only middle Because neither the school nor the city of Salem pay any of the expenses for the cultural exchange the delegates are working to raise the funds to pay for their trip The delegation is organizing a number of fundraising events in Salem including: 7 p.m.: Movies Made in Oregon Series at the Salem Public Library; "Animal House," Japanese National Honor Society and Kawagoe Delegates selling concessionsMay 6 7 p.m.: World Music Night at Salem Public Library Japanese National Honor Society and Kawagoe Delegates selling concessionsMay 20 7 p.m.: Movies Made in Oregon at Salem Public Library; "Stand By Me," Japanese National Honor Society and Kawagoe Delegates selling concessions  the North Salem students will stay with host families visit classes at the Kawagoe City High School and more Some stay after the scheduled trip to explore Tokyo and other cities "Because we have such a large and prosperous country being large and prosperous does have its disadvantages One of those is that other countries have a strong motivation to learn English and familiarize themselves with American culture," Ben Wolcott "This trip is a chance to remind ourselves that other peoples exist and to give us a healthy dose of perspective on our importance and our role in the world .. educating our citizenry as to the broader effects of that power and influence appears to me indispensable." "It is hard to regard others as important and human if you haven't met them," he said Donations can be made by sending a check to North Salem High School Salem c/o Sherry Chidwick and payable to "North Salem Kawagoe Exchange." These are tax-deductible donations and there will be an event in the fall to thank all donors For additional information, contact Wolcott at wolcott_ben@salkeiz.k12.or.us or Sherry Chidwick at chidwick_sherry@salkeiz.k12.or.us or call North Salem High School at 503-399-3241 npate@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6745, or follow her on Twitter @Nataliempate, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nataliepatejournalist or on the Web at nataliepate.com Saitama — Buildings preserved from the 1900s form a unique landscape in central Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture By Keito Uchiyama / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer Stepping out of the street crowded with tourists I found an elegant Western-style building in a back alley is an active clinic where Kawagoe residents go for treatment today The light green clapboard exterior is said to be built in the English style with double-door windows on the first floor and sash windows on the second floor The house is surrounded by a red brick wall making it look like a house out of a picture book or anime and passersby stop to admire it and comment on how cute it is The grandfather of the clinic’s current director The clinic had served local people from the early Showa period (1926-1989) to the postwar period but closed when the grandfather Kiyoshi passed away in 1975 the clinic had been the Nakano family’s home with the examination room turned into the children’s room and the staff room becoming the parents’ room It was 27 years later in 2002 when Fumio became a dentist and opened the current Chuseido Dental Clinic “I remember my grandfather treating my cavities here,” Fumio said ‘I used to be treated by Kiyoshi-san.’ I’ve spontaneously developed a desire to open a dental clinic.” the skeleton of the building was left untouched and only areas in need of repair were renovated The waiting room is furnished with antique wooden chairs which can ease patients’ anxiety before treatment I’ve been greeted by the people in the town,” Fumio said “I want to continue to run a clinic where local people feel at home and have a sense of belonging.” Access: 13-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line 16-minute walk from Kawagoeshi Station on the Tobu Tojo Line Memo: The inside of the building is open for patients only Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp In the Little Edo district of Kawagoe City you'll find a festival that's sure to leave an impression With a history of more than 370 years and featuring rousing performances starring massive floats it's no wonder why it was chosen by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage Rooted in the autumn festival of the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine the celebration's main feature is the so-called hikkawase Marvel as the lavish floats—as tall as nine meters and weighing up to 3.4 tons with many crafted as early as the Edo period (1603–1867)—are pulled through town The town of Kawagoe itself adds to the atmosphere with a traditional Edo-style townscape lined with kurazukuri Though the festival is truly a can't-miss event it's worth a visit at any time of the year for the sights and the tasty Japanese sweets for which the area is famous take the Marunouchi subway line to Ikebukuro Station (about 20 minutes) then take the Tobu-Tojo Line limited express train to Kawagoe Station (about 30 minutes) https://www.kawagoematsuri.jp/English/index.html Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages the residence has been scaled down by dismantling the west side of the building (about 1/4 of the whole) leaving behind the framework and the tile roof on the floor of which the architects have applied gravel to create a rock garden reinforced concrete walls have been used to define the boundary between this garden and the house’s interior spaces DOG has renovated the traditional house which originally had no seismic resistance with only the eastern extension being braced in order to reduce the size of the residence and improve its construction the tokyo-based architecture studio decided to dismantle the building’s west side leaving behind only the framework and roof ‘the japanese roof tiles of this house were quite good and we felt that the essence of the tiles was effective on the gable-end side,’ says DOG a semi-outdoor space has been formed and finished with gravel on the ground while reinforced concrete walls define the boundary between this space and the interior the walls are finished at a height that does not reach the wooden beams of the house ‘swallowing’ existing wooden pillars and tightening them to make ‘shorter columns’ and perform seismic reinforcement this reinforced concrete wall extends from the house toward the garden and also serves as the gate of the shrine on the site architect: DOG lead architect: ryutaro saito + yuki kojima structural engineer: tetsuya tanaka / tetsuya tanaka structural engineers AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style today announces that its UNIQLO Kawagoe Store in Saitama Prefecture Japan has received Gold Level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in the Building Operations & Maintenance (O+M) category This is the first retail outlet in Japan to receive gold certification in this category The Kawagoe Store is a representative example of UNIQLO's roadside locations The first roadside store opened in 1985 in Shimonoseki establishing a new standard for UNIQLO stores This store format currently accounts for around half of the more than 800 UNIQLO locations in Japan UNIQLO has standardized the specifications for roadside stores and simple store designs to create durable The LEED O+M Gold certification was awarded in recognition of this store design and its operating procedures The store received particularly high marks for its energy-saving measures such as the adoption of a high-efficiency air-conditioning system and its resource conservation measures including waste separation and the installation of water-saving toilets as well as the maintenance of air quality through appropriate air conditioning and circulation UNIQLO considers environmental considerations to be a priority measure for sustainability and is working to reduce environmental loads through its store designs and operations UNIQLO will seek to acquire LEED O+M certification at other main roadside stores in Japan with the same Kawagoe store standards and plans to apply the knowledge gained through these efforts to further lower the environmental load of its stores © FAST RETAILING CO., LTD.Corporate Governance | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Your California Privacy Rights | EU Recruitment Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Sitemap A website opened on Friday and revealed that the Kawagoe Boys Sing original television anime will get a stage play adaptation titled Butai: Kawagoe Boys Sing -Kassai no Choir- (Stage: Kawagoe Boys Sing -Choir of Cheers-) that will run from June 22-30 at the Theater H in Tokyo is in charge of the stage play's main theme song The former orchestra conductor Haruo Hibiki suddenly appeared in front of Tenshi who was having his normal school day routine Tenshi's ordinary everyday life went into total chaos after he met Haruo… but he was kicked out of the orchestra because of his problematic nature He was given an opportunity to come back to the orchestra again only if he can achieve certain conditions The condition was to make a choir club to win the first prize of the “national boys choir competition” with a new set of boys from Kawagoe School Tenshi and other boys were pushed to join the choir club due to the strong pressure and can't help but saying nasty things to others The new members of the choir have a tough time dealing with Haruo but they also start to be fascinated by Haruo's coaching skills and are drawn into the world of choir After encountering the numerous strong opponents in the competition how will Kawagoe School boys choir club succeed to be the no.1 at the competition? The comedy with energetic youth with many soulful choir songs starts Sources: Butai: Kawagoe Boys Sing -Kassai no Choir- stage play's website, Comic Natalie