Kawagoe: Bell Chimes, Festival History, and a Sweets Tradition

A preserved kurazukuri streetscape, the sound of the Toki no Kane bell, and a sweets tradition dating back to the early Meiji period give Kawagoe a distinctive historical character. The city also offers places to enjoy nature and leisure at Isanuma, as well as seasonal sweet potato digging. You can shape your trip around your preferred focus, from culture and local food to the landscape.

Streetscape and Bell Chimes

A preserved kurazukuri streetscape preserves the atmosphere of the Edo to Meiji periods. The Toki no Kane is regarded as a symbol of Kawagoe: the tower is about 16 meters tall, and its bell rings automatically every day at 6 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. The historic buildings and the recurring chimes offer tangible points of connection to the city’s history.

A Festival with a History

The Kawagoe Festival began in 1648, when Matsudaira Nobutsuna, the lord of the Kawagoe Domain at the time, donated festival equipment to the Hikawa Shrine for its celebrations. The festival was strongly influenced by Edo’s Tenka Matsuri. When that festival in Edo shifted toward processions featuring portable shrines, Kawagoe’s magnificent festival float parades preserved the character of the earlier Tenka Matsuri.

The float procession of the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in February 2005 and inscribed as an intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO in 2016. The Kawagoe Festival takes place every year on the third Sunday in October and the preceding day. Check the latest event information before your trip.

A Sweets Tradition in Kashiya Yokocho

Kashiya Yokocho offers traditional sweets such as candies and rice crackers. Sweet-making there dates back to the early Meiji period. It is said that in the early Shōwa period, there were more than 70 traditional sweet shops. In fiscal year 2001, Kashiya Yokocho was selected as one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan.” Here, a distinctive selection of sweets meets a long history of confectionery craftsmanship.

Nature and Leisure at Isanuma

The landscaped Isanuma Park features an adventure forest with an obstacle course, an open area, an outdoor stage, and a wading pool. A walking path runs along the west shore of neighboring Isanuma. Cherry trees also line the shore, which is considered one of Kawagoe’s cherry-blossom viewing spots. While cherry blossoms are a seasonal attraction, anglers visit Isanuma Park throughout the year.

Near Isanuma are the Isanuma Agricultural Products Direct Sales Center, Isanuma-an, and the Agricultural Exchange Center. From September to early November, during the sweet potato harvest, you can dig for sweet potatoes at tourist farms in Kawagoe City. The annual festival date in October falls within this stated harvest period. Check the latest event information and seasonal availability of sweet potato digging in advance.

Museum and Historic Sites

The permanent exhibition at the Kawagoe City Museum includes a recreated workspace of local artisans and an area about the Kawagoe Festival and local festivals. Visitors can also get a close-up look at a real dugout canoe, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 years old. Check the museum’s latest visitor information before your visit.

The Kawagoe-kan site, the former residence of the Kawagoe clan, is designated a national historic site. From the late Heian period through the Nanboku-chō period, the clan was one of the influential warrior families of Musashi Province. The Osawa House tells another chapter of the city’s history: a wealthy merchant, who traded in kimonos among other goods, had it built in 1792. The house survived the Great Kawagoe Fire of 1893 because it was built in the fire-resistant kurazukuri style.

To plan your trip, compare the different highlights: city history, the festival, and the museum alongside nature at Isanuma, the sweets tradition, and the harvest. If you are looking for a vacation rental in Kawagoe, first consider which of these themes you want to shape your trip, and search accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Chichibu, Fujimi, Sayama, Gyōda, Ranzan, Misato, Iruma, Minano.

For the broader travel overview: Saitama Prefecture.