Kawagoe

This small town, located in Saitama Prefecture, is a perfect day trip for travelers staying in Tokyo. It preserves to old feel of Edo, the name of Tokyo when it first became the capital under the rule of the Shoguns and their military government. Kawagoe is often called koedo, or "Little Edo".

Kawagoe is especially famous for its kurazukuri street, which preserves massive merchant buildings from the Edo Period (1600-1868), when the city was an important site for storing rice and other valuable commodities. Kita-in temple was destroyed in a fire in 1638, and the Shogun donated parts of his castle to help rebuild it - these are the only remnants of that castle that exist today. Kashiya Yokocho, or "candy alley", is another popular spot that sells traditional Japanese sweets, including some unique sweet potato treats unique to Kawagoe.
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Links:

• Koeda Kawagoe Tourist Association in English
• Kawagoe City Home Page in English