Kawagoe Ichibangai Shopping Street

The basics

Ichibangai Street has some of the best examples of Edo-era architecture in Japan, as Kawagoe, which was once part of a trade route, escaped major damage in World War II. While the street is not very long, it’s still a living street rather than a frozen museum, with businesses still operating in the old shop buildings. Most of the structures date from the late 19th century, as a fire destroyed much of the street in 1893, and the buildings that replaced them were designed to be fireproof. Most visitors to Ichibangai Street visit while spending the day touring Kawagoe, which has a number of other attractions, such as a belltower, a temple, and part of a once-important castle.

Things to know before you go

• Other attractions in Kawagoe are the Kitain Temple, the Honmaru Goten (the last surviving building of the castle), Candy Alley, and the City Museum.
• Ichibangai Street is full of snack stalls, so come hungry.
• While this is a touristy area, the street is not pedestrianized, so pay attention to traffic.

How to get there

Kawagoe is in Saitama Prefecture. From Tokyo, take the Tobu Tojo train from Ikebukuro to Kawagoe, which takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on whether you board an express or local train.

When to get there

To browse the stores and try some local snacks on Ichibangai Street, go during normal business hours. The Kawagoe Hikawa Festival, held on the third weekend of October, is an especially festive time to visit the city and experience traditional local culture; it's on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Visit the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Saitama City

Saitama Prefecture is known for some other notable attractions. In Saitama City, immediately east of Kawagoe, is the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, home to one of the most important bonsai collections in the world. About 120 bonsai trees are on display, and are considered superlative examples of the art form. Omiya is easily accessible from Tokyo.