🌸 Surrounding Tokyo, Japan, Edo Charm Ancient Town 🏰

🌟 Hidden gem near Tokyo, Kawagoe Castle Town, is known as "Little Edo" for its well-preserved Edo-era architectural style. If you're looking to delve deeper into Japan beyond the popular tourist spots, consider spending a day exploring this charming place. 🎌 🍁 Every October, on the third Sunday, there's a grand autumn festival originating from the Hyakuna Inari Shrine. The highlight of the festival is the spectacular float parade, with about twenty to thirty floats participating. Following the procession feels like stepping back in time to ancient Japan. 🎎 💘 Hyakuna Inari Shrine is legendary for matchmaking. Drawing lots is quite entertaining; for 300 yen, you can fish up your own tai fish-shaped omikuji, predicting your fortunes in love, safety, health, and more. Additionally, there's a ritual of releasing "human-shaped" talismans into the river within the shrine, said to banish misfortune. 🌊 🏮 Kawagoe's Ichibangai was bustling during the Edo period, leaving behind many quaint old buildings and streets. The "Kurazukuri" architecture clusters line both sides of Ichibangai; various confectionery shops, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, and souvenir stores line the street, bustling with activity and a rich old-world atmosphere. There's also an Inari Alley nearby, perfect for a quiet sit-down. 🍡 🚶‍♂️ Walking north from the Kumano Shrine station towards Ichibangai, the shrine is small but popular for matchmaking. I visited on a weekend, and it was lively with many devout Japanese worshippers. 🙏 🕰 The Time Bell of Kawagoe, a local landmark standing 16 meters tall, was first built 400 years ago. Its chimes ring on time at 6:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00 every day. Weekends are crowded, especially around food spots with long queues. However, you can easily find delicious places without waiting in line, no duds here. 🍢 🌸 Kita no Inari Shrine, said to be beautiful during the cherry blossom season, is where Tokugawa Ieyasu was born. Now it's more like a local park where you can pay your respects to the eighteen Buddha statues. 🏯 🛤️ Along the way, there are many shrines, big and small, all worth a visit if you're interested. ⛩️ This time, I brought guests who happened to arrive just in time for the festival, which was very lively. If you're not on a weekend or holiday, choose a day to stroll through this romantic ancient town from centuries ago, enjoy the tranquility and leisure, find a coffee shop to have a cup of coffee, and it's quite delightful! ☕ #TokyoTravel #Tokyo #JapanTravel #KawagoeAncientTownCharm #TokyoPrivateTour #PrivateTour #JapanLocalGuide