Kawagoe

Nice pictures, i didnt know that a nice place like this was so close by Tokyo.
The 7 times i have been there it was a mix of shopping and being with friends.
The shopping was mostly for other people too... "Ohh Tami heard your going, could you..." ...orz.
On my next trip i gona stay there hahaha *crazy women laugh with hand in front of mouth* ... i wonder if theres a own name for this kind of laugh. o.O
Thumbs up for your next articles like this. :)

Nice, so many live in the picture.
May be i should go visit the place if i go japan

I must remember to visit it when i go there...its a great source of reference when drawing traditional buildings like shrines and all...Thanks for the pictures! they have given me alot of knowledge about these type of buildings!

hoohoo nice introduction Danny :D must bookmark this article ^^

I always want to visit some traditional Japanese places like I see in anime. It sounds fun to visit...
I might go try when I go to Japan in the summer.

Wow....Looks so peaceful there. My kind of place. I like the clash between the past and modern. Definitely a stop for me when I go over to Japan.

i suddenly want to get those bentos, must be fun to eat

those are nice pictures. I've been to one of the shrines in tokyo the daibutsu (hope i spelled it right) in kamakura.

yum, definitely on my list next time i go. i usually spend an insane amount of time in akihabara, the rest sort of wandering around. love visiting shrines and temples, love eating just about anything i can find. most of all, just love being there ^_^

I went with other as one of the main things that I want to visit Japan for is the Super GT and maybe some other motorsports related stuff.

I'd say shopping AND sight seeing, but I guess sight seeing is more important.

Very nice pics Danny, I went to some beautiful places like that, but didn't see that many traditional buildings...

Taking a note, next time I'm in Japan, be shure to visit Kawagoe.

I have the feeling that not even living a whole year in Japan exclusively for tourism, one would be able to visit every interesting place there.

I mean, we went to this very small town that was supposedly my ancestors hometown, and it still had some very interesting stuff to see... sorry, can't remember the name right now.

Thanks for the pics of a more traditional looking Japan. I love foreign architecture and stuff. It's really neat seeing the old blend into the new like that, too. Can't do anything about natural disasters, but I really hate when wars destroy that stuff; it just seems like such a waste.
Do people give you weird looks when you pull out Haruhi and start snapping pictures?

I'll be sure to check out Kawagoe next time I visit Japan. It's gonna be a nice change from all the shopping I do at Akihabara and Nakano Broadway, thanks for the great post Danny ^^;

yep yeap. another good place to visit!

Wow! Kawagoe looks beautiful! Next time I'm in Tokyo I'll check it out.

btw, my thumbs are now being created! sorry! It was my fault after all Danny! >.<"

If I ever get the chance to go to Japan I will try to do some sight seeing, check out the night life, and buy some souvenirs.

Cool. I love anything that's traditional Japanese. Been to Kyoto & Nikko for sight seeing. Both are great. I didn't know there a place as such so near Tokyo. You're right about how saddening it is to know abt the Akiba stabbing incident while walking ard a peaceful traditonal place. Such difference. Will definitely go check it out this July when I go over for studies.

Kawagoe is sweeeeet! A very nice alternative if you're unable to go to Kyoto~

^^ Girls do really look good with drums ^^

Parts of my MUST-DO-IN-JAPAN thing will surely be meeting up with Danny Choo! NO LESS! Muhahahha!

AH! This makes me want to visit Japan even more!

This is definitely a place I will stop by on a visit to Japan someday. I want a combination of shopping and sight seeing- I would have to bring my laptop to Japan because I don't even think I can compress the amount of photos I would take to 10gb!!

I love seeing how the old meets the modern, I want to make the trip happen but currently am financually strapped.

Thank you for posting up the pictures, Danny. Am glad that I stumbled on to this website, and thankful that I get the chance to see parts of Japan that I may not know about or consider visiting. I'm certainly looking forward to be there in person one day. ^_^

An insightful post, thank you danny.

LOL hanky panky... 2D girls FTW!

If I ever get to visit Japan, I think I'd do some shopping and some sightseeing...

Definitely sightseeing... you know, looking at RL girls are also considered "sightseeing".

^^

The place looks wonderful. I feel that, more than anything else, just being there would be enough for me. A nice climate and brilliant infrastructure is in very stark contrast to the place I live in.

Ahh no wonder the name "Kawagoe" sounds familiar.

Tamaki-chan's surname is Kawazoe (from Bamboo Blade). ^^

Anyway, sight-seeing traditional Japan is certainly on the top of to-do list. And I want to try those traditional Japanese snacks!

Mmm dried pufferfish.. :]

Never really been there before but would love to go someday.

Interesting article, thanks Danny!

I guess I'd prefer both sightseeing *and* shopping. Being of Asian ancestry, Eastern culture has always amazed me, so learning about the traditional aspects suits me well.

What a beautiful area. While I agree it'd have been great if the town were pedestrianized, on the other hand it looks pretty damn good for having modern roads, which too often can uglify just about any scenery.

Still not sure when I'll get to Japan, but it'll likely be for study, with any luck. While admittedly I'd rather go to Kyoto than Tokyo, on the other hand if I do end up in the capital, having a place like this would be nice. (Get my fill o' shrinery.)

All this pics makes me wan to go back to Japan as soon as possible, it was such a good time there !

And the sweets got me hungry ! >.<

Guess it'd be a mix of modern sites/traditional sites/nature sites/shopping if I ever make it over there, but not as much shopping as I'd like as plane tickets already cost an arm and a leg...
And yes please categorize all sights-to-see articles + coordinates, would be great as a resource when planning the trip ^^

I don't think I've been there yet but I might be going down there in August. Will have to check it out if I go. Nice pictures! ^_^

GREAT article!

packaging for food in Japan ALWAYS seems to look really really nice...

Those bento packed sweets makes me wanna try them now!!! AWW!

*Wipes saliva*

That looks great there. Im hoping to go back to Japan later this year, and if we dont have time to go to Kyoto, this place is on my list!

Have you ever been to Yanaka? Its a suburb of Tokyo that escaped the bombing of WW2, and as a result, is very quiet and traditional. Tons of temples and graveyards everywhere. Nice place.

Wow, a trip like this is a must when visiting Japan. I just love traditional life of the Japanese. So peaceful and tranquil.

I love crab korokke and also the plain veggie version, just corn and potato korokke. Yum! Want some now!! ^__^

Kawagoe looks like a great place to visit and take in the Nippon cultural traditions and classic origins. It reminds me a bit of the backdrop from Samurai Champloo actually.

I wish you had your macro lens, too.

My last visit to Japan was mainly across the island of Kyushu and involved sight-seeing and a bit of shopping. My to-do-list for a future trip to Japan would include lots of sight-seeing and visiting more otaku locations.

The occasional Gunpla, but mostly sightseeing. Why is it always so clean in Japan btw?

Or did you clean up the streets before taking the pictures? =P

I just came back 3 days ago from Nippon. I must say that I was there for shopping, eating ( best food in the world IMO) , sightseeing, and spend 5 days just relaxing and being there. Sugoi desu ne. Onto ni!! I just can't wait to go back this fall...

I'd go shopping first then I'll go sightseeing

One thing for sure is, I would like to go around my native homeland (Philippines) first before going sightseeing in Japan.

That area looks great, might add it to my schedule when I visit there when I visit Japan. Close to Tokyo (even better).

Will there be much difference if I went to places like Kawagoe during winter compared to when you visited(summer)?

Nice~ definitely on my list of places to visit =D I just hope I don't buy too many of the those cute bento boxes >3<~

shopping in akihabara of course :D

Ahh.. Sugoi. Love olden Japan too. Damn, didn't know bout this place if not would have gone to take a look.

But the food is ex. SGD 14.00 for that? Can buy 4 plates of chicken rice, haha.

I have a trip planned for two years from now, and I'm definitely going to sight-see. I'm planning to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima for sure, but I'll add Kawagoe to the itinerary as well.

been wanting to go for a trip to japan, but none of my frens plan on going there, mostly to neighbouring country because of cost wise. short trip cant see much of japan, planing to stay for two weeks at least but need to save enough 'greens' for hotel, on food, traveling and shopping. that is alot of 'greens'. nice photo taken Danny.

if i plan to visit japan, sightseeing will be first priority. i'll keep shopping for last since i wouldn't want to carry stuff everywhere i go.
nice beautiful place. :)

I really love Tokyo and all, but there's something about rural/traditional Japan that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Haruhi is so lucky, she can always go around with you. =D

looks like a nice place.

Everytime I go to Japan I try to see as much cultural stuff as possible (and try to visit other ones every time).
I'd say that it's about 75% sight seeing, 20% shopping and 5% other stuff (like concerts, tokyo anime fair kind of stuff). I just love old Japanese buildings, shrines and temples.

But for my 4th trip to Japan next year, it will be the first time I will not be going alone, so I'll have to visit some stuff that I've already visited. But now I know a bit what is worth visiting. So I'm gonna do 80% old good stuff, and 20% new stuff.

When I'm in Japan I will most likely be spending my time trying to wittle away at my study abroad program. However, when I can find the time I will definately want to be a little touristy. I don't know if it's in my budget, but I would love to snowboard in Japan's mountains. Other than that IDK what I want to do. Maybe Danny and other generous members can help me fill that in with ideas!

Im getting hungry from looking at the food....*drools*

When ever I see traditional with modern technology somewhere in the picture....I always envision Gintama...

wow...so old fashioned..

Those pics are so very nice. I'm planning on seeing more traditional things when i go to Japan...I even plan on living in a more traditional home I hope. I am really anxious to go to Japan!!! I can't wait til im 18!!! (two years from now)

I wanna go

I went in Japan sometimes for work but have visited only Tokyo and Kamakura. I really like to visit the rest of Japan one day...

Nice, I've always wanted to eat ramen at one of those stalls... it's the experience itself, ya~.

i'm planing to visit Japan probably next year (OMG MY VERY FIRST TIME!! YAYYY!) & i'm really interested to visit the Traditional side of Japan check out the Cherry Blossoms & then go to AKIHABARA!!

When I went I just walked around everywhere with no purpose, I love people watching and just taking in the area. I did all the touristy stuff as well but just wandering with my camera was the best bit.

It is shopping, divided into by the soccer matches I cover [sporting].
The fare on the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro to Kawagoe is only ¥450.
A one-seat ride from Shibuya to Kawagoe is now possible on the new Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line. Seek through-routed "F"-Line trains bound for Shinrinkoen.

The building in the image above the sushi pics remembered me the cannon of the Samurai Pizza Cats XD (don´t remenber the original name).
Really nice place, if i go to Japan (hopefully i will some day) i will definitely visit Kawagoe.

Next vacation = Japan :D

nice pictures.....
it make me wanna go to japan....

The buildings and scenery are beautiful and amazing, now there is another place added to the list of visiting :P

me wonders how long you have to take before you can cover all of japan's sights....

Please visit Hakone too! Kawagoe is nice place, I know. But Hakone is the location of Evangelion! Evangelion!
It takes 1 hour and half by Romansu-car from Shinjuku, Tokyo.
I and Fuyutsuki are waiting for you.

I've been to Japan once last year and I'm going again in 6 days. The general rule of thumb is in Tokyo it's Akihabara on the first day, Pokemon Centre on the second, then Akihabara again on the third. Everywhere else is sightseeing and general wandering.

When I go I plan to take in all the sights as my top priority. After that will come the shopping to fuel my other desires.

there are weird shaped snacks in there... would love to try it.

My main objectives in Japan would be sight-seeing and relaxing. I might do some shopping in Akihabara for some figures and even some trekking along with the sight-seeing. I might be alone when I visit Japan so "time with friends" is out of the question. I don't even know what sports I might play there so "sporting" is also out.

As for clubbing, I'm not into that. Now if it was "hanky panky"... nah, I'm not that kind of guy x_x

hmmm... must visit this place when I go study in Japan next year, hopefully I'll be able to get either one of my first two choices since they are around Tokyo

More photos about Japan, thanks a lot!
Sightseeing will take top priority if I visit Japan one day. The country has so many places to visit a lifetime wouldn't be enough to see them all. If it's a question about checking out traditional or modern stuff in Japan, then it's definitely both.:) (The girl cooking food is very cute btw.:) )

Danny, to what extent are people in Tokyo actively worried about another earthquake? I clicked through to the link at Wikipedia on the 1923 earthquake, and saw both its effects and its after-effects, including more disaster preparedness. Are buildings in Tokyo built to withstand another earthquake now, or is are they built to fall down easily and be rebuilt? Do you know?

Wah~ Look at all the snacks and goodies :3 makes me hungry just looking at them.

Shopping in Japan is not worth it money wise, imo... too expensive and geared towards brands. And if you like brand name goods they'll most likely be more expensive there anyway. Unless you spend enough time there to be in the know on cheaper places for goods, that is. For my first couple of months in Tokyo I was under the impression I'd never be able to buy anything :P then I got away from the giant department stores and more central shopping areas.

However, anime goods :3 :3 :3 if that's the only shopping intended...have fun :D

When I went, it was part of a packaged tour so it included sight seeing. Personally I would skip most of the temples, castles, and what not because after seeing one, most of them are pretty much the same.

Wish there was an all of the above option for the voting. I would do everything from shopping to clubbing and hanky panky if I was there to see a cute friend or pick one up while clubbing. ^_^ lol

I felt like living in Meiji era or something like that when I see this place is full of traditional house, its like they reserve this as their only heritage they got to protect. I seriously will buy that bell if I were there, I think the bell called chime bell if I'm not mistaken.

mmm those crab korokke look so good.

Nice pictures again Danny. Will have to be sure to visit Kawagoe sometime ^^

After seeing all these lovely pics, I just wish I could just fall asleep and wake up in Japan. I have never been to Japan, but when I go it looks like I will have to make it a long trip, as I want to take in as much as I can. Thanks again Danny for the incredible scenery... You make me wonder why I wasn't born in Japan....

Kawagoe's on my next trip to Japan! =)
Kyoto was lovely but it's a bit far from Tokyo and we just kept getting lost. ^^;
Definitely worth visiting tho, just have to do some research before going.

Looks like a nice place...will try to visit it next time when i visit Tokyo. Its so hard to make a choice in this poll!! I'll go for almost all of them except; Sports and Trekking.

UWAAAAAW!!!! It's like im seeing the Tokugawa Era relics here.
Really awesome!

Redefines my options if I do get the chance to visit.

Mostly sightseeing and shopping inbetween, but also paying a visit to a longtime japanese friend of mine.. probably some hanky panky haha.
But I just want to experience it not like a hasty tourist, but taking every little detail in slowly by walking and enjoying every aspect of Japan without any hopes of anything, just let it come as it is.

another gem of a place to visit in japan.......need to put it down on my places-to-go-in-japan list

I will have to visit Kawagoe in the summer. ^^

When I go to Japan it's mainly for sightseeing and going to Jrock concerts. ^^

I would love to visit Japan as it appears to be a beautiful country and I want to see how closely real Japan matches slice of life anime.

haha fried potatoes, never though about it! Reading this article reminded me of my hometown in Colombia. In the downtown there is part where all houses and government buildings are from really long ago, they still have the spanish influence in the time of colonies.
As for my to-do list when i go to japan, i believe sight seeing (with lots of taking pics) is as important as spending most of my money in akiba ^^. Planning to go to Kyoto since it is the best place to see the cultural stuff. I'll spend at least half of my trip in Kyoto and other places.

Yay, more places in the to-see list.

I wonder how it looks in fall.

must go and must seen place..
is there any samurai walking there..
sure looks cool..

This place is massive! Grate pic as alaways Danny! Thanks!

if i visit... bring a good camera and plenty of backup memory, and go sight seeing, new and old, and landscapes, not much of one to go to bars, clubs, etc, so no nightlife for me. meet new and interesting people, and kill....erm... photograph thme ;D

Love to see the more traditional side of the country!

When I come to visit Japan I hope to do a little bit of everything. I want to see the traditional side that I fell in love with as well as check out the anime stores, lol.

Eh! hanky panky? is that allowed? =P
Definitely sight seeing. at least for me, I'm not rich enough to use my resources on other activities. Having a nice warm afternoon watching landscapes is cheap and easy. =)
Beside, women put me nervous =S
Asobi seksu, good music, peculiar name.

I like the photos you take and I hope to visit Japan one of theses days.

yeah. definitely I wanna go to visit that place. Kyoto too!

There wasn't a mark for "All of these" lol.

Ah, I was in Kawagoe yesterday. Started with the flea market at the Kitain shrine and radiated outward. Lots of antique shops and snack shops. Bought some candied beans and deep fried sweet potato chips. Nice history, but many of the buildings feel like islands against the modern homes and shops literally on the other side of the street.

The buildings there are famous for the old fire-resistant clay structures/storehouses~ basically using lots of clay and plaster to protect the wooden structures inside. Seems like all that weight would make then weak against earthquakes.

oh good to know! looks really interesting love old buildings and historical stuff. Can't wait to visit some shrines.

Huh. You have a decent amount of pictures of traditional Japanese shrines, but no Mikos? Is it that you aren't supposed to take pictures of them, or is it that there are never any?

Another place to visit in Japan!

This is where i'm going to start off my citizenship(Start-Year 5), as long it ain't damn close to the urban hutsle, cuz in the end i'm going to be CON LA MANO PELA'(BROKE TO ZERO)

Once again another nice photo article. I am in the process of fitting together my week in Japan as I will be visiting some time end of July/early August, and articles like these really help in letting me figure out what kind of stuff I want to see. Looking forward to your tour guide article with co-ordinates.

I'm in Tokyo right now and was trying to decide between Kamakura and Kawagoe and decided to go to Kawagoe due to your article. It's a bit of a walk from the JR Kawagoe station, but it's basically one long shopping mall (Crea Mall) all the way down to this old section. Lots of places to eat! Enjoyed it, but I'll probably still to to Kamakura too, if I have time. Thanks for the article and photos.

If I ever holidayed in Japan (dream on, Desti... D:), I'd never have time to see everything. D: I'd have to take a two-month-long holiday there. Which is why my ultimate goal is to live there. My family're against it, though. D:

While not quite so old, this reminds me of a village in Illinois called Long Grove. It was a residential community up until the late 1960s or early 1970s. Then they discovered that turning the entire town into a shopping complex was easier on the tax rolls! Each home is converted into some kind of store. Mostly antiques. Newer buildings need to comply with the look of the nineteenth century. So none of the "traditional/contemporary" as in Kawagoe.

these surviving buildings are amazing.

Oh wow. Just added kawagoe to my list of places to go in 1 week and 4 days, when I am there!!!