🎐 Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel Spots Around Tokyo 🎐

Today, I'm taking you on a journey through time to explore the ancient charm and diverse flavors of Kawagoe, a historical city in Saitama Prefecture known for its well-preserved Edo-era architecture and unique old-town streetscapes, earning it the nickname "Little Edo." 🎏 【Hikawa Shrine: A Poetic Encounter at the Summer Wind Chime Festival】🍁 At this moment, Hikawa Shrine is in the midst of its summer festival—the exclusive Summer Wind Chime Festival. Strolling through the wind chime corridor, you'll find a vast array of wind chimes swaying in the breeze, their clear and pleasant ringing accompanying the summer evening wind, dispelling the heat and bringing a cool respite. What's particularly magical is that as night falls, the shrine's small river transforms into a dazzling starry river, known as "Light of the River" (available from July to September), creating a dreamlike and mystical atmosphere. Being there feels like stepping into an anime world, encountering the summer elements filled with countless Japanese manga memories—wind chimes and fireworks festivals, sharing this unique Japanese comic romance experience. 🌿✨ 🌆 【Kumogane Town - Kawagoe Ichiban Street - Time's Clock Taisho Romantic Passage: A Time-Traveling Stroll Through Edo Charm】🏮 Head to Kawagoe Ichiban Street, where you can experience the essence of Kawagoe's historical context and Edo charm. The old-fashioned Japanese buildings stand side by side, giving you the feeling of traveling back to the Edo period. Although it's a commercial street, it cleverly retains its purity and simplicity, avoiding the signs of over-commercialization, allowing you to wander freely and enjoy the peaceful and mellow retro atmosphere. 🚗📜 There's a very characteristic Miffy specialty store on Ichiban Street, offering many region-limited Miffy products, which are really adorable. ☺️ 🍣 【Koganey Unagi Rice: A Journey Through Edo Flavors】🐠🔥 I was fortunate enough to try the famous Koganey, a restaurant that many locals make a special trip to Kawagoe for their unagi rice. (It's on the street next to Kawagoe Ichiban Street, walkable) ⚠️Tips: 🚇: From Tokyo Ikebukuro Station, take the Tobu Tojo Line for about half an hour to reach Kawagoe. Other transportation options are all within an hour, so a day trip is definitely feasible. ♨️Kawagoe is a slow-paced old town, so everything closes very early, with shops starting to close around four or five in the afternoon, so be sure to pay attention to the time. #TokyoSurroundings #TravelDiary #Japan #TokyoTravel #Kawagoe #LittleEdo #EelRice #JapanFreeTravel #TokyoDayTrip #EdoEra