Private Tour
Kawagoe 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide (Kawagoe Dep)
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kawagoe!
Kawagoe was a prominent castle town in the Edo period and was known at that time as Ko-edo, or Little Edo (former name of Tokyo). About 30 minutes by train from central Tokyo, Kawagoe features many historical buildings, shrines and temples, and offers many regional food and drinks, as well as unique souvenir items.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Toki no Kane
Toki no Kane is a symbol of Kawagoe. Because there were no clocks in the Edo period, this tower has told the time to the people of Kawagoe by its ringing bell. Even today, you can hear the bell at 6 am, 12pm, 3 pm and 6 pm. Toki no Kane, along with the surrounding environment retains the vestiges of the Edo period.
Koedo Yokocho
There are many restaurants in this warehouse-style building. You can eat Japanese dishes such as kamameshi (a rice, meat and vegetable dish served in a small pot) and ramen. There is also a free rest place, so why not take a rest here when you are tired from walking?
What‘s Included
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Kawagoe
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private Vehicle
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Kawagoe 4hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide (Kawagoe Dep)
Pickup included
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A day trip to Kawagoe is a must do adventure
584RG,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kawagoe is just an hours ride by train. I attended the Daruma Festival held each January 3rd at Kitain Temple. There are large crowds, delicious street foods, and many people selling the darumas and other good luck displays to wish for good luck in the coming year. The temple line was long with people waiting to enter to pray for luck and health in the new year. The area with the 500 stone buddhas is a must-see. Then a short walk leads to the main street where the iconic bell tower is located. Try to be there when the bell sounds. Many of the old buildings and shops give you the feeling of old Edo. And of course, safe some room to eat the sweet delights sold in Candy Alley. You must also try the sweet potato chips and donuts, and ice cream. Look for and visit the Kawagoe Festival Museum in order to learn about the annual festival. Some of the floats are on display, and a video and a live speaker explain what the celebration is all about. Of course, if you visit in October, you can see the festival in person. The Kawagoe Festival (Matsuri) typically happens on the third weekend of October,expected to be October 17-18, in 2026, featuring elaborate floats (Dashi), music, and parades in the historic Kurazukuri district. There is so much more to see that a day trip can only touch on the highlights. You will not be disappointed.
Kawagoe city tour
Michael D,Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour with Masa: he was knowledgable, personable and professional. We would recommend this tour to others.
A Food-filled and Cultural Experience in Kawagoe!
mawd2023,Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I'm from the Philippines and took a guided walking tour with my mom and partner in Kawagoe — it was such a memorable experience! Our guide was super friendly, patient and spoke great English, making it easy to enjoy and understand the history of this beautiful old town. We walked through Hikawa Shrine, Main Street, saw the famous Bell Tower, and explored Candy Alley (the local sweets were amazing! We kept stopping to try different places! Haha!). Our guide, Isao-san shared fun stories, gave great local tips, and made the whole tour feel personal and engaging. Kawagoe is a perfect day trip from Tokyo, and this tour really made the visit special. Highly recommended if you want a mix of culture, food, and fun!
Attentive Guide
161yinl,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide, Masa, was great. We get to see the shrine and temples. He went into a great details during the tour. He was very patient with our questions and request.
Amazing time
Demetrios W,Apr 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A great time, very informative and insightful, learned new things about Shinto and history of Kawagoe.
A wonderful stroll in Kawagoe
demetri0sw,Apr 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a wonderful experience full of memorable moments, and our guide was both informative and very helpful in finding certain items we were hoping to get.
Kawagoe - interesting quaint town
777gilliany,Jan 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful tour of Kawagoe recently. Little Edo is an easily accessible town from downtown Tokyo with interesting sights. Kyoko Kawano-san was knowledgeable, friendly and proficient in English. She had good local knowledge and shared interesting local insights of the temples and shrines and lovely quaint shopping streets.
Such great service
colleenh176,Oct 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Shinji, made this trip so great. He was extremely accommodating with last minute changes and did what he could to make the tour great. We would absolutely recommend him and use him again.
Kawagoe Tour
Michael L,Jul 29, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Show was our Tour Guide and did an excellent job. He took us to all the interesting sites and places in Kawagoe where we learned about the history and culture. He was very flexible when my wife wanted to do some shopping. Taxi’s and buses were sparse, so be prepared to walk a bit. Overall, an excellent experience.
A Good Day in Kawagoe.
krisnanv,Jun 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We liked our guide. He is a good man. He planed our trip very details in advance. Though, we were late and messed almost all the plan he did, he was calm and rescheduled a new plan to what we liked.
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Operated by Japan Guide Agency