🏮 Kawagoe (Little Edo): A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Time-Traveling Japan!

#holidayitinerary
### **Why Visit Kawagoe?**
Just **30 minutes from Tokyo**, Kawagoe (川越) is a **perfectly preserved Edo-era town** nicknamed "Little Edo" (小江戸). Wander its **kurazukuri (clay-walled warehouse) streets**, hear the iconic **Toki no Kane bell tower**, and savor sweet potato treats—all while soaking in a nostalgic atmosphere that feels worlds away from modern Tokyo .

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### **Top Attractions**
1. **Kurazukuri Street**
- Lined with **17th-century merchant warehouses**, this photogenic area survived the 1893 Great Fire. Don’t miss the **Starbucks in a traditional warehouse** .
- *Pro Tip*: Visit **Ichibangai Shopping Street** for local crafts and snacks .

2. **Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower)**
- A **16-meter wooden tower** that chimes at 6 AM, noon, 3 PM, and 6 PM. The current structure dates to 1894 .

3. **Kitain Temple**
- Home to **538 whimsical Rakan statues** (each with unique expressions) and buildings relocated from Edo Castle .

4. **Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine**
- A **1,500-year-old shrine** famous for matchmaking. Grab a "love stone" pebble for luck in romance .

5. **Candy Alley (Kashiya Yokocho)**
- A nostalgic lane selling **old-school Japanese sweets** like sweet potato chips and rice crackers .

6. **Taisho-Roman Street**
- A retro-futuristic stretch of **1920s Western-style buildings**, ideal for vintage photos .

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### **Solo Traveler Tips**
- **Getting There**:
- From **Ikebukuro Station**, take the Tobu Tojo Line (30 mins, ¥500) to Kawagoe Station .
- From **Shinjuku**, take the Seibu Shinjuku Line to Hon-Kawagoe Station (1 hour) .
- **Transport**: Use the **Co-Edo Loop Bus** (¥600/day) to hop between sights .
- **Eats**: Try **Kawagoe’s sweet potato specialties**—ice cream, beer, and even coffee! .
- **Hidden Gem**: **Renkeiji Temple** features a serene garden and Tokugawa crest .

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### **Seasonal Highlights**
- **October**: **Kawagoe Festival** with ornate floats (UNESCO-listed) .
- **Spring**: Cherry blossoms at **Shingashi River** .

**#solojapan #littleedo #timetravel**
*Pro Tip: Rent a kimono (from ¥3,000) to stroll in style!* 👘