Kawagoe — A Day Trip Back in Time from Ikebukuro, Tokyo

Kawagoe — A Day Trip Back in Time from Ikebukuro, Tokyo

Hi everyone, how are you doing? It’s Naoto here. Today, I’m planning to stroll around Ikebukuro in the morning, and then head over to Kawagoe afterwards. It’s like stepping back in time to the Edo period in Kawagoe! It’s about a five-minute walk from Ikebukuro train station — this is Minami Ikebukuro Park. Wait, birdhouses? Well, they’re actually filled with picture books for kids to enjoy! Hey, check it out! An owl! This park has a lovely café called RACINES FARM TO PARK. Let’s grab some breakfast here. The ceiling is super high,
and it feels really open and airy. I went with the toast plate — it’s 1,400 yen（$9） Sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, and salad — a classic, but wow, it’s all so fresh and tasty. Look, there’s another owl here. Let’s check out a shop that’s popular with travelers. This Don Quijote is open 24 hours. “Koala’s March”? I thought it was a famous snack, but it’s actually lip balm. I wonder if it tastes sweet…😆 Look, a Rilakkuma-shaped puff. These are tweezers. the popular “Kuromi” is here. These are Hello Kitty nail charms.
So cute, right? KAI brand nail clippers are super sharp! Plus, they come with a case so your clippings don’t scatter. Wow, there are so many kinds of face masks. Anyway, they have an amazing selection of cosmetics. Pocky’s a classic, but don’t miss the seasonal editions. My pick is this one — Alfort.
One box disappears in no time. KitKats you can only get in Japan. There are so many kinds of gummies. Cororo is my favorite. Tired feet? Try putting a Salonpas patch on your soles and sleep on it overnight. An owl. The main Bic Camera store is right here in Ikebukuro. And there’s also the main Animate store. Ikebukuro is super popular with anime fans, especially girls. They’re called “otome,”（ｍaiden）👧 As soon as you walk in, the anime store manager greets you. Looks like there’s some kind of event today. Most of the crowd are girls (Otome) They’re holding a special event for the manga “Given”. Are most of the main characters in manga male groups? The decorations are Halloween-themed. This is Sunshine 60, the symbol of Ikebukuro. We won’t go in today, but it’s full of food, fashion, and fun attractions. And the street in front of Sunshine 60 is called Otome Road. It’s lined with shops for female anime and manga fans. …unfortunately, most of the shops haven’t opened yet. Alright, let’s head to Kawagoe. This is Sunshine 60 Street — the busiest street in Ikebukuro🔥 Why are there so many owls in Ikebukuro? In Japanese, “owl” is fukurou.
Sounds a lot like Ikebukuro, doesn’t it? We’ll take the Tobu Tojo Line next. We’re taking the 11:20 express train. Kawagoe is called Koedo, or “Little Edo.” The town still preserves many streets with the charm of the Edo period. Only 35 minutes to Kawagoe — so quick! ”Kawagoe” Wow, it’s pretty crowded for a weekday. It’s about a 5-minute bus ride from Kawagoe Station. “Nakacho” Suddenly, it feels like we’ve slipped back in time! The rickshaws blend naturally into the streets. Red and white banners are hung all over town for the festival starting tomorrow. This street is lined with traditional kurazukuri buildings. Aww, local school kids on their way home.🚸 When you come to Kawagoe, you can’t miss trying some street food! ”Kawagoe Pudding” First, I’m going to try this special pudding. Kawagoe is famous for its sweet potatoes🍠 Everything in here is made with sweet potatoes— — the pudding, the Mont Blanc cream, the chips, and even chunky bits of sweet potato inside. Found a lovely shop! Let’s take a quick look inside. They’ve got a great selection of Japanese tableware. A trivet with a cute cat design. Every single one has its own personality. Such a refreshing design — perfect for enjoying cold drinks. Floating balls for decoration — you can enjoy them in a fish tank or vase. Lately, more people have been keeping medaka fish — especially men. I’m actually looking for a pasta plate right now, but this one’s a bit small…5,500 yen (about $36) This is a tin for mosquito coils — not for cooking 😅 Here’s another sweet starring sweet potatoes — Imo Koi. Mmm, it has such a deliciously sweet aroma. eel ”Denbei”（An eel restaurant） I think I’ll try ordering a mini unadon 800 yen($5). Charcoal-grilled eel — crispy outside, with perfectly fluffy rice. That was absolutely the right choice! Have you ever tried grilled rice balls? Katsuobushi is called the hardest food in the world, but it’s a must-have in Japanese cooking. Looks like this shop just opened recently. These are so cute! There’s even a specialty knife shop here. Kawagoe’s symbol — Toki no Kane!! The bell rings 4 times a day — at 6 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. In the Edo period, people used the sound of this bell to tell the time. It’s burned down a few times over the years, and this is the 4th version. Nearby, there’s a handmade chopsticks shop, Everyone’s really into making their own chopsticks. At the end of this street, you’ll find this shop called ”Osatsu-an”. They sell sweet potato chips here. It’s a simple snack — ultra-thin slices of sweet potato fried and lightly salted — but the balance of sweetness and salt is just perfect! Finally, it’s time to try ”Imo Koi”🍠 It’s totally different from a regular manju. Inside the soft, chewy dough are slices of sweet potato and red bean paste. This is one of the “Top 20 Starbucks Stores to Visit in the World. The high ceiling gives the space such an open, airy feel. These are fusuma paintings — sliding door art — and they even have proper handles. You can enjoy a view of a Japanese garden through the window. It’s possible to walk outside too. There’s even an engawa-style seating area — nice and cool in the shade. It’s about time to head to our next destination. ”Hikawa Shrine” Let’s purify our hands and mouth at the temizuya then let’s pray! After praying, it’s time for the classic omikuji fortune. But here, it’s a bit different Once you catch your favorite sea bream… — the fortune is inside a sea bream🐟 Let’s see… Wow! I got a daikichi — the best luck! This is a mystical place filled with countless ema plaques. It’s a special space filled with the wishes of many people. Let’s move on to our next destination! ”Kashiya Yokocho,” where lots of sweet shops are gathered. ”Kashiya Yokocho”means Candy Alley Look, a Chiikawa shop! It’s fairly new! You really suit sweets. You can get “Imo Koi “here too! “Tamariki Seika” — a candy shop. The candy-making machines make such a nice, relaxing sound. It’s easy to walk around here since there aren’t many cars passing by. We’re heading back to the main street. “Yamabu” This is a long-established miso maker. Of course — let’s eat! That sweet-savory miso totally refreshed me. You’ve got to take a photo here! Got lost in a back alley… Kawagoe is totally all about sweet potatoes🍠🍠 Thank you for watching! This channel shares special, local information from Japan. If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe. Your “like” really encourages us! See you again soon!

Enjoy a perfect Tokyo to Kawagoe day trip! 🌆🕰️
Explore Ikebukuro’s city vibes in the morning, then step into Kawagoe’s old Edo streets in the afternoon. 🍡
Taste local street food, discover historic sights, and visit the beautiful Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine for a true Japan travel experience. ⛩️

⏱Time Stamp
0:00 Opening
0:58 Minami-Ikebukuro Park
3:16 Don Quijote in Ikebukuro
5:27 Animate
8:25 Kawagoe (Old Town Streets)
13:14 Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower)
16:05 Hikawa Shrine
17:47 Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley)
21:17 Kawagoe Main Street

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