【ひとり旅】早朝の川越で重厚な蔵造りの町並みと風鈴を楽しむ散策Vlog。｜川越氷川神社｜蔵造りの町並み一番街｜【川越観光】/ Japan travel, Walking in Kawagoe.

【ひとり旅】早朝の川越で重厚な蔵造りの町並みと風鈴を楽しむ散策Vlog。｜川越氷川神社｜蔵造りの町並み一番街｜【川越観光】/ Japan travel, Walking in Kawagoe.

This is a town lined with stately, traditional storehouses. Or perhaps, a town of cool breezes and swaying wind chimes. Take your time and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of early morning. It’s the hour when streetlights mingle with the remnants of dawn and night. I’ve arrived in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture. The sky is split between blue and red, creating a dreamlike scene. Retro buildings quietly line the streets in this tranquil time. Kawagoe flourished as a castle town during the Edo period, and today it’s famous for its storehouse-style streets. Since I have plans in Saitama this afternoon, I decided to visit here early in the morning for a stroll. I’ve been here before, but it was so crowded that I didn’t walk around much, just relaxed in restaurants and cafés. I’ve heard it’s always packed during the day, so I hope to explore slowly while it’s still quiet. This street feels like a shopping arcade, with lots of cute street lamps. The storehouse-style scenery lies ahead, but the charm already begins here. Every direction offers a feast for the eyes. Some streetlights are lit, others are off, which makes this special morning hour feel even more magical. A massive, elegant storehouse has appeared before me! “Old Town Ichibangai Street” Storehouses and Western-style buildings coexist—so unique😶 It feels like a blend of Edo, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras. And yet, the buildings are well maintained, showing a clear commitment to preserving historical heritage. Wind chimes hang all along the street, and walking while watching the fluttering strips is truly delightful😊 The storehouses here have incredibly solid roofs—so cool. These sturdy roofs are part of the town’s fire prevention measures. Apparently, a major fire in the Meiji era destroyed one-third of the town, and during reconstruction, fire-resistant earthen storehouses and tiled roofs became popular, forming the townscape we see today. Even though they’re all called “storehouses,” each region has its own style due to historical, cultural, and geographical differences, which is one of the joys of visiting old towns😊 Looking east from the main street, I spotted a tall building rising above. “Time Bell Tower” The old townscape silhouetted against the backlight feels nostalgic, as if you could hear merchants chatting from long ago. The sun, faintly hidden by clouds, reveals its outline, and its gentle light diffuses through the humid air, turning black into gray. The townscape remains unchanged throughout the seasons, but this lighting effect is probably unique to hot and humid summer mornings. Even the subdued Starbucks that matches the townscape is lovely😌 The Time Bell Tower was also destroyed in the Meiji-era fire, and the one standing today was rebuilt the following year. As its name suggests, the tower once rang to mark the time, serving as a guide for daily life before clocks became common. I spotted a cute character-themed shop like those in hot spring towns. I remember taking a photo at the Totoro bus stop in Gero Onsen once, and even if such places seem mismatched with the scenery, they often become unexpectedly fun travel memories😊 I kept heading north along a single road, and retro storefronts continued to appear. Each building feels like a main character in its own right, like the final dungeon in an RPG. Even the post office blends in with the town’s aesthetic, looking chic. The mailbox matches the color of the wall. It’s a townscape that truly conveys the weight of history. I’ll walk a bit from here to reach my next destination. Even beyond the main street, old buildings are scattered throughout, offering visual delight wherever you go. The flowers stretching toward the sky are so endearing. “Kawagoe Hikawajinja Shrine” Look up and you’ll see wind chimes swaying, look ahead and there’s a dignified worship hall. This shrine is famous for its summer wind chime decorations, and I came to admire their adorable appearance. It’s still a time when many areas remain dim. In the shade, the water basin reflects the orange of the morning sun. Watching the flowing water makes me sleepy—perhaps from a sense of peace. There are other water features in the shrine besides the basin. This one is bathed in morning sunlight, glowing orange. Wind chimes lined up neatly in wooden frames look serene and lovely. Let’s explore further into the shrine grounds. Softly glowing lanterns and long, slanted shadows. A stark contrast to the usual freshness—this place feels mysterious. Listening to the chorus of cicadas while admiring the warm hues. This is exactly the kind of summer morning I dream of. Morning truly is wonderful. As I walked further, I came across a wind chime corridor. Colorful wind chimes with wooden strips hanging below. At this shrine, you can tie your written wishes to the wind chimes. Putting your wishes into words is a rare opportunity. It’s a good chance to reflect on your inner thoughts. There was another wind chime arch further ahead. Unlike the cute space earlier, this one feels refined and sacred. Still, the way they sway together is undeniably charming. It’s a refreshing corridor with green as its base color. Wind chimes are hung all around, creating a cool and pleasant moment. At the shrine’s front, I found a large torii gate and pinwheels. Sometimes they gently spin in the breeze, and the refreshing blue dances across the entire view, bringing the same sense of summer coolness as the wind chimes. Looking up, the torii gate’s presence is overwhelming😶 This shrine is said to have a history of over 1,500 years. Over that long span of time, as people and towns changed, I wonder how the gods have felt watching it all unfold. I have some photos from when I visited here during the day, so please enjoy the atmosphere that’s quite different from early morning. I’ve returned to the city center. The orange hues of morning are fading, and blue is starting to dominate. As the light shifts, the crape myrtle absorbs it all. “Penny Candy Lane” This is a narrow alley lined with candy shops. It’s said that confectioners have been setting up shop here since the Meiji era. Even after a century and a half, the concept remains unchanged. Displays and signs are everywhere, and for someone like me, walking around hungry, it’s quite the temptation. There are many shops known for their delicious treats, and every one I’ve tried was great, so I’d love to come back again just to eat. Wandering through the back alleys reveals a different kind of charm than the main street. I saw Chiikawa gazing out from a window, and the quiet stone-paved paths were so beautiful. During the busy daytime hours, places like this must feel like an oasis. In the distance, the silhouette of the Time Bell Tower. “Chokiin Temple” Beside the path stands a beautiful temple, an essential part of Kawagoe’s historic townscape. Next door is a kindergarten, and I imagine it’s lively with children’s voices during the day😌 I’ve exited the alley and returned to the main street. I have other plans later, so I think I’ll wrap up my walk soon. Today I visited the town of Kawagoe, and I’m very satisfied having seen its stately, historic storehouses. The wind chimes hanging everywhere will surely ring with coolness on breezy days, helping people endure the summer heat. This charming place—I’d love to visit again when the shops are open. That’s all for today. Bye-bye.

蔵が軒を連ねる小江戸、川越に行ってきました。
重要伝統的建造物群保存地区に指定されており、とても頑丈そうな蔵に圧倒される旅になりました。
風鈴もそこかしこで揺れていて癒されます😌

0:00 オープニング / Opening
3:04 蔵造りの町並み一番街 / Old Town Ichibangai Street
4:36 時の鐘 / Time Bell Tower
8:02 川越氷川神社 / Kawagoe Hikawajinja Shrine
13:01 菓子屋横丁 / Penny Candy Lane

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