Kawagoe’s storehouse streets, the Railway Museum in Omiya and the shrines and festivals of Chichibu, all close to Tokyo.
Saitama borders Tokyo, so each area is an easy half-day or day trip. Kawagoe is the classic first visit.
JapaLens editorial guide · Read in about 5 minutesKurazukuri clay-walled storehouses line Ichibangai street, and the Toki no Kane bell tower rings four times a day. Kashiya Yokocho is a lane of old-fashioned sweet shops.
About 30 minutes from Ikebukuro on the Tobu Tojo Line; weekends are busy, so go on a weekday morning if possible.
Read this area guide →The Railway Museum displays historic trains, including early Shinkansen cars, with simulators and a large model railway. Hikawa Shrine has a long tree-lined approach.
The museum is one stop from Omiya on the New Shuttle; check simulator booking rules on the official site.
Read this area guide →Chichibu Shrine and the mountain-top Mitsumine Shrine draw pilgrims, and the Chichibu Night Festival on 2–3 December features lantern-lit floats and fireworks. Hitsujiyama Park has moss phlox in spring.
Seibu limited expresses run from Ikebukuro to Seibu-Chichibu in about 80 minutes.
Read this area guide →An editorial route idea, not a timed tour. Adjust it for weather, opening days and your walking pace.
Walk Kawagoe’s Ichibangai in the morning.
Eel or sweet-potato dishes in Kawagoe.
Visit Kitain temple and Kashiya Yokocho.
Return to Tokyo or continue to Omiya.
Try eel and sweet potato in Kawagoe, soba in Chichibu and Soka senbei rice crackers.
Most visitors stay in Tokyo. Omiya is a major Shinkansen hub with hotels; Chichibu has inns for the festival and mountain trips.
Tobu Tojo Line or Seibu Shinjuku Line to Kawagoe; JR or the Shinkansen to Omiya; Seibu limited express to Chichibu.
