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Note: The opinions and views expressed in this user report are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of japan-guide.com.

December 2, 2015 - Kawagoe Day Trip

One of the good things about Tokyo is the ability to take part in day trips outside of the city. Kawagoe is one such location, and is famous for its Warehouse District, a series of streets lined with Edo-period warehouse buildings built primarily from clay. Over time, the buildings have a very distinctive black and white exterior with sweeping tile roofs, and walls so thick it protected goods from fire. Most of the buildings are along Kurazukuri Street but there are also other period buildings surrounding it.

Today, the buildings are preserved for us tourists to take photos of, but the interior is now used for stores, restaurants, bakeries, and dessert shops. There is also a museum along the main street giving a history lesson of these incredible buildings.

In one of the side streets in the Warehouse District is probably one of the most famous buildings, the Bell Tower. The bell atop the tower rings several times a day, and a must see (and hear). Unfortunately, while I was here, the tower was undergoing reconstruction and the tower and grounds were not available to the public. However, the bell still rang which was nice.

As a solo traveler one of my habits is to deliberately get lost and walk my way around to get to where I need to be. One of the advantages to this is finding things you never thought you could ever find. On my way to the Warehouse District I came across a small shrine called Kawagoe Hachimangu (川越八幡宮). Upon further research the shrine is worshiped as "the god of games" by athletes and students. Built in 1030, it is certainly not as large as other shrines, but important nonetheless.

If you plan to visit Kawagoe it will be a full day at most. Explore the side streets as it is quiet and peaceful, and not as busy as most parts of Tokyo.

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List of Posts:
2018/10/25 - Tohoku Series: Genbikei Gorge (厳美渓)
2018/10/24 - Tohoku Series: Hachinohe (八戸市)
2018/10/23 - Tohoku Series: Seikan Tunnel Museum (一般財団法人 青函トンネル記念館)
2018/10/23 - Tohoku Series: Cape Tappi (竜飛崎)
2018/10/22 - Tohoku Series: Oirase Gorge (奥入瀬渓流) and Towadako (十和田湖)
2018/10/21 - Tohoku Series: Hoshino Resorts Aomoriya (星野リゾート 青森屋)
2018/10/21 - Tohoku Series: Mt. Hakkoda (八甲田山)
2018/10/20 - Tohoku Series: Aomori (青森市)
2018/10/20 - Tohoku Series: Seafood Capital, Aomori (青森市)
2018/10/19 - Tohoku Series: Juniko
2018/10/19 - Tohoku Series: Gono Line
2018/10/18 - Tohoku Series: Tazawako (田沢湖)
2018/10/18 - Tohoku Series: Kakunodate (角館)
2018/10/17 - Tohoku Series: Akita (秋田市)
2018/10/16 - The Pokemon Cafe experience
2018/10/16 - Early Morning Meiji stroll
2017/11/11 - Tsukiji's (Truly) Last Breath
2017/10/31 - Yokohama - Western Port City
2017/10/30 - Tateishi Nakamise Shotengai - Stepping into a Time Warp
2017/10/29 - Oya History Museum - A Cavern in Time
2017/10/28 - Nikko - Land of Spirituality and Tourists Part Two
2017/10/28 - Nikko - Land of Spirituality and Tourists Part One
2017/10/27 - Aizu - Wakamatsu and Kitakata: Land of Ramen and Red Cows
2017/10/27 - Ouchijuku - Historic Town in Fukushima Prefecture
2017/10/25 - Noboribetsu - The Comforts of Hell!
2017/10/24 - Otaru - Land of History and Economic Power Part One
2017/10/24 - Otaru - Land of History and Economic Power Part Two
2017/10/23 - Sapporo - Fresh Seafood and Western History
2017/10/22 - Lake Toya - A Land of Destruction and Beauty Part Three
2017/10/21 - Lake Toya - A Land of Destruction and Beauty Part Two
2017/10/21 - Lake Toya - A Land of Destruction and Beauty Part One
2017/10/20 - Hakodate in 18 hours - Part Two
2017/10/20 - Hakodate in 18 hours - Part One
2017/10/20 - All aboard the Hokkaido Shinkansen in Gran Class style
2015/12/06 - Tsukiji's Last Breath
2015/12/02 - Kawagoe Day Trip
2015/11/29 - Pokemon Train on the JR Ofunato Line
2015/11/29 - Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture
2015/11/28 - Yamadera
2015/11/23 - The Architecture of the Yoyogi National Gymnasium