Ko-edo Kawagoe Strolling Map

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Currently, the building is used as the venue of two shops, Taiyodo Bookstore and Gin-Pari Barbar, although it used to be a single building occupying a frontage of 5 ken (9.09 meters) long. In 1893, it was built by the wholesale merchant Okawa Kihei, owner of “Masakiya” that dealt in yarn, cocoon, tea and tobacco. They adopted Kura-zukuri(storehouse-style), including Hakomune (prominent box-like ridge), Onigawara (Japanese gargoyle roof tiles) and Kagemori. However, the space under the eaves is made of solid wood pieces and the windows have wooden lattice doors. On the other hand, the walls on both the north and south sides are thick earth walls. At first glance, it may appear to be Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style); however, this building inherits the Machiya style from even before the Great Fire of Kawagoe. data Address：7-5, 7-6 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City

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The Miyaoka House has owned a long-established store (whose Yago or business name is "Machikan") in Kawagoe, dealing with hardware products from the Tenpo Period of the Edo Era. In 1897, master carpenter Sekine Matsugoro, the architect of Toki-no-kane (Time Bell Tower), constructed this building. It has a brilliant design, including deep eaves, tall Hakomune (prominent box-like ridge) and huge Kagemori, heavy and massive double doors. The floor height is also much higher than other Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) buildings. Kagemori is made of layers of Shikkui or plaster, connecting Onigawara (gargoyle roof tile ornament) and Hakomune (prominent box-like ridge). The inside is hollow and not as heavy as it looks. data Address：7-3 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City

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This building was built by the Futomono (items such as cotton clothing) wholesaler Takayama Jinbei of "Yamajin" in 1895, then transferred to the Hyoguten (scroll mounter) Koyano Kotaro at "Fukazen" in 1948. There are distinctive wing walls on both sides of the Geya (small roof) on the first floor. In Kawagoe, there are no other Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) buildings that employ this style. It is thought that the wing walls were established as a firewall in order to prevent a fire from spreading, and made the windows on the second floor an open window instead of hinged double doors. It is well-designed to harmonize fire-safety and livability. data Address：7-4 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City

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This building was built by the liquor-selling merchant Takishima Zyuzo of "Kumajuu" in 1895. Because it is located on the corner lot at the T-junction of Ichibangai Street and Toki-no-kane Street, they extended L-shaped eaves alongside both of the streets. It is a very simple and light-touch design with small Kagemori, copper plate covers of hinged double doors. Together with Toki-no-kane, it creates the representative landscape of Kawagoe. data Address：8-1 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City

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This building was built by the lumber merchant, Kajita Seizaemon the fourth of "Tansei" in 1894. Originally there used to be a Misegura (building combining a shop and living areas) on the east side across the street. This building had been used as a Sodegura (attached storehouse). On the west side of the Geya on the first floor there is a wing wall for protection from fire. The Geya part facing the street is said to have been used as a show window to display precious trees. data Address：9-9 Naka-cho, Kawagoe City

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This building was constructed by Kobayashi Sahei the second, a wholesale merchant of kimono fabrics and cotton clothing in 1893, immediately after the Great Fire of Meiji. It has many characteristics typical of Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) in Kawagoe, such as thick eaves, black-plastered walls, and massive and heavy hinged double doors. Particularly noteworthy are the metal decorations like the eyelashes attached to the Kagemori (plastered roof ornaments) on the second floor. Although the functions and the name of this metal object have yet to be clarified, a similar design can be seen in the Misegura of Tokyo from the early Meiji Era. It can be said that the Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) in Edo had been disseminated to Kawagoe. data Address：2-16 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City

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It was constructed as the head office of the 85th National Bank, established mainly by merchants from the Kawagoe Domain in 1918. The building was designed by Yasuoka Katsuya and built by Indo Junzo. Adopting the Neo-Renaissance style which was then in fashion, a tower was established in the corner of the front. An octagonal, four-storied tower with a dome roof, higher than the other part of the building. On the exterior walls there are buttresses with striped patterns. The structure is made of steel framed reinforced concrete, which makes it valuable as an existing early concrete building. data Address：4-1 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City

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The Misegura has exterior walls finished with white-plaster, and the opening on the second floor is highlighted with a black plastered frame. The Kagemori (plastered roof ornaments) behind the Onigawara (gargoyle roof tile ornament) is also small in size, with a very different design from the Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) after the Great Fire of Meiji. It was probably constructed around 1857 in the late Edo Era according to an inscription in Indian ink left on a beam of the Bunkogura (library). It’s a valuable example of how the Kawagoe merchant houses used to be before the Great Fire of Kawagoe. data Address：10-9 Naka-cho, Kawagoe City

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This building was constructed by the Oka Family who had been engaged in the brewing business since the early Meiji Era. It consisted of two building parts; the north part was built in 1901, and the south part in 1922. The north building had some features of the Kura-zukuri (storehouse style) after the Great Fire of Kawagoe during the Meiji Era. While the south building during the Taisho Era was based on the Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style), it was also characterized by some elements of western architecture on the first floor. data Address：1-15-5 Moto-machi, Kawagoe City

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This building was constructed as a shop of the former Sakurai Shoten in 1915. Sakurai Shoten was a long-established store in Kawagoe, with its business name “Tsuchiya”, in those days dealing in guns and foreign imports. What makes the building unique is that, although it employs an authentic Western-style design as seen in the walls of artificial stone, the combination of prisms on the first floor and columns on the second floor with triangular arches, the structure itself is known as Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style). data Address：6-4 Naka-cho, Kawagoe City

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It was built as a store of the hardware shop "Yamatoya." The year of construction is unknown, however, because it is allegedly the work of carpenter Sekine Matsugoro, who created the Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower), and judging from the design, it is thought to have been built around 1900. The main characteristic of this building is the use of Oya-ishi (stone) on the three sides of the walls. The style is the only Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) that remains in Kawagoe. On the front side, they use a typical Kura-zukuri (storehouse style) design with deep, thick eaves and triple, hinged double doors on the second floor, realizing a harmonized landscape with the townhouses. data Address：11-8 Renjaku-cho, Kawagoe City

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This is the building of "Kenzyudo"'s Misegura (building combining a shop and living areas) dealing in books and stationery goods, reminiscent of the old town landscape before the Great Fire of Kawagoe. It creates a simple and light impression in general, such as the exterior walls of white plaster, simple building structures, Kagemori, wooden sliding doors, etc. data Addrress：13-8 Renjaku-cho, Kawagoe City

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This building was constructed as a retreat for Yamazaki Kashichi, the fifth owner of Kameya, in 1925. It was designed by Yasuoka Katsuya, an architect who worked on the 85th National Bank, the current Kawagoe Branch of Saitama Resona Bank. The building combines Western-style with Japanese style in the Sukiya-zukuri style (tea-ceremony house). Separated from the main building, there is a tearoom that is supposed to replicate the famous tearoom "Joan." As well as a retreat for the successive heads of the family, it was also used as a guesthouse when the royal family visited Kawagoe. Throughout this excellent residential building, they make great use of the advantages of Western-style and Japanese-style. data Address：2-7-8 matsue-cho, Kawagoe City

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Like Kita-in Temple, it started with Muryoju-ji Temple on Mt. Seiya, which was founded by Great Saint Jikaku Daishi Ennin. In 1301, by the command of Emperor Gonizyo, Butsuchi-in of Muryoju-ji Temple (later, Naka-in temple) became the Grand Head Temple of the Tendai-shu sect in the Kanto Region. The grave of the mother-in-law of Shimazaki Toson (famous novelist) is there. There is a tearoom called Fusentei that Toson gave her. Naka-in is famous as a viewing spot for cherry blossoms, especially, Shidarezakura (weeping cherry trees). It’s also known as the birthplace of the Kawagoe and Sayama tea brands. They say it started when Ennin brought some tea seeds from Kyoto and planted them for medicinal purposes in the grounds. data Address：5-15-1 Kosenba-machi, kawagoe City

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On the cobbled streets fitted with colorful pieces of glass, there are about twenty confectionery shops lined up, passing on the old, nostalgic tastes to people today. The roasting smell of soy sauce, candies and caramels made using traditional methods; this is the place that gets everyone excited regardless of their generation. "Kashiya Yokocho (Penny Candy Lane)" is said to have begun when Suzuki Tozaemon created casual confectioneries that suited the tastes of the Edo people in the town built around Yozyuin Temple. After Tokyo was severely damaged by the Great Kanto Earthquake, it took over the role of manufacturing confectioneries and it is said that there were over 70 stores in the early Showa Era. data Address：2-7 Moto-machi, Kawagoe City

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The "Kawagoe Festival" started in 1648, when the Lord of the Kawagoe Domain, Matsudaira Nobutsuna, donated Mikoshi (portable shrines), Shishigashira (lion masks) and drums to encourage festivals. As time went by, brilliant parades moved through the city and the townspeople came to accompany them. The Kawagoe Festival developed because of the strong influence of the Tenka Matsuri festival of Edo's Kanda Myojin Shrine and the Akasaka Hie Shrine. The shape of the floats has also changed while incorporating the fashions of the Tenka Festival. The Kawagoe Festival Museum will always provide you with an experience of the Kawagoe Festival. The actual floats are displayed in the hall and you can experience the festival on the large screen. data Address：2-1-10 Moto-machi, Kawagoe City

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Started in 1590, when High Buddhist priest Nenyobunou the second head of Renkei-ji transferred the separated spirit to a new shrine from Kumano Shrine in Kishu Region. It is commonly known as "Okuman-sama" and known for good luck and good marriage. The shrine crest is the symbol of the "Yata-garasu (three-legged crow)" which is the messenger of Kumano Ogami (Tutelary Deity). Yata-garasu is also the symbol of the Japan Football Association and their officially authorized "Good luck charm for victory" is popular. Along the approach to the shrine is "Foot Health Road" (Ashibumi Kenko Road). It’s a favorite spot to pray for better health by walking on the pebbles barefoot, stimulating the soles of the feet. data Address：17-1 Renjaku-cho, kawagoe City

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This Shingon sect temple is a branch temple of Shinsho-ji Temple on Mt. Narita in Chiba. Located on the north side of Kita-in Temple, it is known to the local people as "Ofudo-sama." It was founded in 1850 by Master Ishikawa Shoon from Shimousa Region who had healed his eye disease by praying to Fudo Myoo (Acala, Dharmapala in Vajrayana Buddhism) and then received training at Shinsho-ji Temple on Mt. Narita. It’s famous for the Goma prayer service of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, praying to Fudo Myoo by burning special pieces of wood called "Gomagi." On the 28th of every month, a "flea market" crammed with antiques is held in the grounds of the temple. data Address：9-2 Kubo-cho, Kawagoe City

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The ruins of Fujimi Turret are located on the south side of Kawagoe High School. At a glance they may look a grassy hillside of trees, but these are the ruins of Kawagoe Castle which used to serve as a watchtower. There is a monument to the Kawagoe Castle site on the hillside, and Mitake Shrine is enshrined on the north side. Long ago, Fujimi Turret boasted a height of 16 meters with three layers, also serving as the castle keep of Kawagoe Castle. data Address：2-15 Kuruwa-machi, Kawagoe City

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During the Edo period, Kawagoe Castle was regarded as an important defense point for northern Edo. Matsudaira Nobutsuna who took over the lordship in 1639 ordered a massive refurbishment of the castle. At this time, it is thought that the Nakanomon-bori Moat was built. The moat prevented the enemy from entering the Honmaru (inner citadel) from the Nishi Otemon (western gate), which was near the current City Hall, and the Nakanomon was built into the passage to Honmaru. According to an old picture, the gate was a two-story Yagura-mon (turret gate). The depth of the moat is seven meters, the width is 18 meters, and the gradient on the Nishi-Otemon (western gate) side is 30 degrees; whereas, the Honmaru (inner citadel) side is 60 degrees. The moat seemingly stood like a wall to prevent enemy invasion. data Address：1-12-8 Kuruwa-machi, Kawagoe City

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Opened on the site of the former Kawagoe Castle Ninomaru on December 1, 2002, to mark the 80th anniversary of the enforcement of the Kawagoe municipal organization. Based on the theme of "Communication", they develop activities such as permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions, focusing on local artists and works. The Aihara Kyuichiro Memorial Gallery exhibits paintings of the western style painter who is an honorary citizen of Kawagoe City. In the Touch-Art corner, translation in braille is available so that blind visitors can also enjoy the works by touching them. data Address：2-30-1 Kuruwa-machi, Kawagoe City

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The museum with its white walls is in the Kirizuma-zukuri style (gabled roof) which gives you the image of Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style), is situated in the ruins of Ninomaru of the former Kawagoe Castle. Visitors can fully understand the history of Kawagoe from the primitive age to contemporary-modern times, mainly from the Edo to Meiji period when Kawagoe thrived. In particular, it’s size and its impressive exhibits include the diorama model where you can see the entire castle town at a glance, the street models of the Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) townscape reproduced in detail, and full-scale models reproducing the construction process of the Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style). After visiting the museum, you can enjoy walking around Kawagoe much more. data Address：2-30-1 Kuruwa-machi, Kawagoe City

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The museum opened as the 120th anniversary project of Yaoko Supermarkets in March 2012. It exhibit works of the late Mr. Misu Yuji, a western style painter a.k.a. the maestro of contemporary realism. He had an atelier in Tokigawa Town, Saitama Prefecture. The building is designed by the internationally renowned architect Ito Toyoo and consists of four spaces: two exhibition rooms, an entrance, and a lounge. Walking around each room, you can enjoy different expressions of sunlight. data Address：109-1 Hikawa-cho, Kawagoe City

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The first generation of the former Kagamiyama Sake Brewery was Mr. Takeuchi Eikichi who was born in Joetsu-shi, Niigata Prefecture. Since he was the second son of a farming family, he worked at the Sake Brewery in the western part of Saitama Prefecture during the farming off-season. Around 1843, he settled in the current Iruma City, where he started a brewing business with a man called Kobayashi, a merchant from Omi Region. He then independently built a sake brewery at the present location in 1875. The brand "Kagamiyama" was named after a mountain near Lake Biwa in Omi Region, by his business partner whose hometown was in Omi Region. The name of mountain appears in the poem written by the renown Japanese poet, Fujiwara no Teika. It is currently used as the Kawagoe City Industry and Tourism Center, Koedo Kurari. Main facilities include the "Souvenir Shop Meiji-gura", the "Eatery Taisho-gura", and the "Sake Tasting Shop Showa-gura." data Address：1-10-1 Shintomi-cho, Kawagoe City

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This is a two-story wooden house in the slate-roofed Yosemune-zukuri style. The roof is hidden from sight by deepening the eaves. There is an entrance at the corner of the building. You may also recognize some expressionistic designs such as the round eaves at the top of the entrance, the corner window above it, the corner post, etc. This building recounts the atmosphere of how commercial architecture was reconstructed after the Great Kanto Earthquake. data Address：1-1-23 Moto-machi, Kawagoe City

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The chapel was destroyed in the Great Fire of Kawagoe in 1893 and was rebuilt in 1921. It was designed by William Wilson who also designed Rikkyo University and was built by Shimizu-gumi. A bell tower is attached to a Flemish bond brickwork single-story building. It’s a medieval Gothic eclectic style building with pointed arch windows and buttresses; a valuable example of a Western-style building before the Great Kanto Earthquake. data Address：2-4-13 matsue-cho, Kawagoe City

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This wooden, three-story building combines a shop and living areas, and was a typical of the Kanban Kenchiku (billboard architecture) in Kawagoe built in 1932. The exterior walls covered with copper plates have a variety of designs, such as arches above the windows and Egyptian style decorative pillars. You will be amazed by the advanced techniques of the sheet-metal work in those days. The interior has been constructed in a genuine Japanese style. data Address：1-1-15 Moto-machi, Kawagoe City

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The venue for Hie Shrine was initially within the grounds of Kita-in Temple, enshrining Ohyamakuhi no kami. This originates from the fact that Denkyo Daishi Saicho enshrined Ohyamakuhi no kami, the tutelary deity of Mt. Hiei upon the foundation of Enryaku-Ji Temple. The Honden (main hall) is a small-sized, simple building of vermilion-lacquered Sangensha, whose roof is finished with copper tiles in the Nagare-zukuri style (gable roof with long, flowing curved lines). (Some consider that it was constructed at the end of the Muromachi Era). The origin of the Hie Shrine in Akasaka, Tokyo, was that when Ota Dokan built a castle in Edo in 1478, he dis-enshrined the area from here to inside Edo Castle. The Honden (main hall) of Hie Shrine is designated as a national important cultural property. data Address：1-4-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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This building, currently designated as a national important cultural asset, was relocated from Momijiyama-goten of Edo Castle following the Great Fire of 1638. It is also known as Muryoju-den, enshrining the principal image of Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Tathagata). The Jodan-no-ma is the size of 12 and half tatami mats with a Tokonoma (an elevated alcove) and a Chigaidana (a set of staggered shelves). On the Fusuma (sliding doors) and walls, Sansui-ga (Chinese-style landscape paintings) are drawn in ink on a gold background. In addition, 81 flowering trees and shrubs are depicted in the lattice ceiling. When this Jodan-no-ma was in the Edo Castle, it is said that the 3rd generation Shogun Iemitsu was born; and so it was called the "Birth Room of Lord Iemitsu." Built in the Irimoya zukuri style (half-hipped roof style), it employs the “Kokerabuki” roofing method in which thin wooden boards are used. data Address：1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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This building, currently designated as a national important cultural asset, was relocated from Momijiyama-goten of Edo Castle following the Great Fire of 1638. The 8 tatami mat-sized north eastern room has a Tokonoma (an elevated alcove) and a Wakidoko (side alcove). The 8 tatami mat-sized north western room has a Tokonoma (an elevated alcove) and a closet. These rooms were known as “Kesho no ma” (rooms used for dressing and make-up) for Kasuga no Tsubone who raised Iemitsu. Like the Kyaku-den (guest hall), the Yosemune-zukuri style roof (a hipped roof) employs the “Kokerabuki” roofing method in which thin wooden boards are used. Part of it is one-and-half-stories. data Address：1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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This building, currently designated as a national important cultural asset, was relocated from Momijiyama-goten of Edo Castle following the Great Fire of 1638. It has a Doma (earthen floor), a wooden floor, a Zashiki (guest room) etc., with a connected dining room and an entrance. Currently, it is used as the visitor entrance. One roof is built in the Irimoya zukuri style (half-hipped roof style) and the other is a Yosemune-zukuri style roof (a hipped roof); all of which are covered with copper plates. data Address：1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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This building, currently designated as a national important cultural asset, was relocated from Momijiyama-goten of Edo Castle following the Great Fire of 1638. It has a Doma (earthen floor), a wooden floor, a Zashiki (guest room) etc., with a connected dining room and an entrance. Currently, it is used as the visitor entrance. One roof is built in the Irimoya zukuri style (half-hipped roof style) and the other is a Yosemune-zukuri style roof (a hipped roof); all of which are covered with copper plates. data Address：1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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According to Ieyasu’s will, his body was buried in Mt. Kuno, Shizuoka Prefecture in 1616, and after the first anniversary of his death, was re-buried in Nikko. During the relocation, the body was kept at Kita-in Temple for four days, where Tenkai Sojo offered a memorial service for the soul of the dead man. In 1633, Tenkai Sojo established Toshogu to enshrine Ieyasu at this place. Then, it was burned down in the Great Fire of 1638 and rebuilt two years later. Together with the Toshogu Shrines of Nikko and Mt. Kuno, it is known as one of the three Toshogu Shrines. data Address：1-21-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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The Honden (main hall) has four pillars at the entrance, called the Sangensha style, a roof finished with copper tiles in the Nagare-zukuri style (gable roof with long, flowing curved lines). It’s a brilliant and beautiful building with black pillars and vermillion walls with decorations in vivid color. Inside the building there is a round-shaped Zushi (miniature temple), containing a wooden sculpture of Ieyasu created by Tenkai Sojo. Karamon in front of, and Mizugaki surrounding Hondo (the main hall), are also painted with vermillion and decorated. Honden, Mizugaki and Karamon are designated as national important cultural properties. data Address：1-21-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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It was constructed as Toshogu Shrine of Ninomaru, Edo Castle, in 1637. After relocation within Kawagoe Castle, it became the outer shrine of Miyoshino Shrine. In 1872, due to the demolishment of Kawagoe Castle, it was relocated within the grounds of Hikawa Shrine as the pavilions of Yasaka Shrine. The Honden (main hall) and Haiden are connected, with a copper roof built in the Irimoya zukuri style. The interior is brilliantly colored with a black-lacquered finish, boasting the extreme magnificence that is suitable for the interior of Edo Castle. data Address：2-11-3 Miyashita-machi, Kawagoe City

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Situated at the eastern entrance to Jigen-do Hall, this building is designated as a national important cultural property. The two-storied building is Irimoya zukuri styled with hip-and-gable roofing, with the lower-story having an enclosure called a Hakamagoshi. In the upper-story, there hangs a copper bell with the inscription “1702”, which probably indicates the date of construction. There are sculptures depicting a dragon in the clouds at the front of the building, and sculptures of flowers and birds at the rear. data Address：1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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This building was constructed by Nishimura Hanemon of Omiya, a kimono fabrics dealer, in 1792. The building survived even after the Great Fire of Kawagoe in 1893. It was one of the buildings that gave merchants in Kawagoe the opportunity to build Kura-zukuri or storehouse-style one after the other. The Kagemori (plastered roof ornaments on storehouses) were made thin like plates compared to the heavier items made after the Great Fire of Meiji. The windows on the second floor did not have hinged double doors, but instead had earth lattices. In the event of a fire, they set up plastered doors at the entrance on the first floor. This building is a relatively old Machiya in the Kanto Region which conveys the Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) from the Edo Era, designated as a national important cultural property. data Address：1-15-2 Moto-machi, Kawagoe City

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This building was constructed by a kimono fabrics dealer assuming the name of Sagamiya Tokuemon of Aitoku down the generations. The exact year of construction has not been clarified, but it is thought to have been built immediately after the 1893 Great Fire of Kawagoe. Although it is somewhat unusual for the Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) in Kawagoe, the exterior walls are not finished with black plaster but with yellow Otsu Wall. Thus, it may give you a warm impression. Also, the ridge is small and the opening on the second floor is formed with iron bars instead of hinged double doors. Metallic eaves attached to the upper part of the opening on the second floor and the top of the Geya (small roof) on the first floor accentuate its appearance. data Address：3-3 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City

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There are no references available about the foundation year, but this building is thought to have been built around 1898 as the facility of the Kawagoe Chokin Bank in those days. This building is in the Yosemune-style (square or rectangular building, covered with a hipped roof), something unusual in Kawagoe. Because it was a bank building, it has a closed structure with a narrow entrance on the first floor and a small window of double doors on the second floor. It is a valuable building as an example of the office buildings in local cities during the Meiji Era. data Address：14-4 Oote-machi, Kawagoe City

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Connecting to Sanmon, this small building has a width of about 3 meters and a depth of about 4.5 meters. The "Mukuri roof" (rising arch-shaped roof) has a rounded center part and is roofed with wave-shaped Sangawara pantiles. Although there is no documentation establishing the year of construction, it is thought to have been built in the mid-18th century. An image of the Kita-in Temple Grounds published in 1841 depicts that this building stood independently inside Sanmon, demonstrating that it was later moved to its current position. data Address：1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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The hall enshrines Jie Daishi Ryogen, the 18th head priest of Enryaku-ji Temple. It is also called Daishi-do Hall because Jie Daishi, the restorer of Enryaku-ji Temple in the Heian Era, was known as the great teacher for warding off evil. One year after the Great Fire of 1638 was the building quickly reconstructed. Currently, the Main Hall houses a statue of Jie Daishi in the center, and statues of Fudo Myoo (Acala, one of the Five Wisdom Kings) on the left and right. It is a large building of nine ken (16.36 meters) wide on the front façade and six ken (10.9 meters) on the sides in the Irimoya zukuri style (half-hipped roof style) with copper plates. With Konpon Chudo Hall of Enryaku-ji Temple and Sanbutsu-do Hall of Nikko Rinno-ji Temple, this hall is valuable, maintaining the style of a main hall of the Tendai-shu sect in the early modern period. The family crest depicted on the ceilings was from a parishioner who donated it during the demolition and repair work in 1971. data Address：1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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Tahoto Pagoda consists of two-layered towers with a quadrilateral roof on top of a rectangular lower layer and a circular upper layer. It was constructed on a burial mound between Sanmon and Hie- Shrine in 1639. It was then relocated in the Meiji Era, and moved to the current location after being dismantled and thoroughly restored in 1973. The 13-meter high building has a structure covered in white plaster on the roof, known as “Kamebara (literally, “tortoise body”). Also, a metal pinnacle, called Sorin, is protruding from the roof of the pagoda. This building clearly exhibits the characteristic Tahoto Pagoda style from the early period of the Edo Era. data Addrerss：1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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Haiden has 3 ken (5.4 meters) long of frontage, and Heiden is connected behind Haiden, which presents offerings to the God. The roof is in the Irimoya zukuri style with copper tiles. The entire building has a vermillion tone with decorations in vivid color. In front of Haiden, a plaque which reads, Tosho Daigongen, written by Emperor Gomizunoo is displayed. Because of the inscription, 1633, it seems to have kept its original form from the time of foundation. Haiden and Heiden are designated as national important cultural properties. data Address：1-21-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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Zuijinmon has sheet copper roofing in a vermilion-lacquered hakkyakumon style. The building is three ken (5.45 meters) wide on the front façade and two ken (3.63 meters) on the sides, with four pillars at the center and eight pillars at the front and rear. It is considered to have been constructed during the mid-Edo Era. Ishi-torii (the tori made of stone) was dedicated by Hotta Masamori, the Lord of the Kawagoe domain, at the time of reconstruction in 1638. Zuijinmon and Ishi-torii are designated as national important cultural properties. data Address：1-21-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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Hikawa Shrine Honden is three ken long at the front and two ken long on its side, built in the Irimoya zukuri style with copper roof, to which Chidori Hafu (a triangular shaped gable or a dormer bargeboard, or both combined) and Kara Hafu (tang gable) are attached. Various carvings in Jimon pattern are even applied to the pillars, beams and other structural materials. On the walls, there are many elaborate carvings, including Minamoto Yoritomo, Yoshiie, and other Minamoto clan persons, and featuring the float decorations of Kawagoe ten towns such as Urashima, Hotei. These carvings are called the Edo-bori style, dealt with by the leading Edo carpenters specialized in Edo-bori carving. Construction of the Honden started in 1842 and completed in 1849. The shrine is one of the best architectural achievements in Kawagoe, employing a plenty of the advanced techniques in those days. data Address：2-11-3 Miyashita-machi, Kawagoe City

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The oldest building of Kita-in Temple which escaped the Great Fire of 1638. This building is now designated as a national cultural property. There are records that it was established by Tenkai Sojo in 1632. This Shikyakumon is a four-pillar gate supporting the hip-and-gable roof in the Kiritsuma-zukuri style. A plaque reading “Seiyasan”, written by Emperor Gonara in the Muromachi Era, used to be displayed. data Address：1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City

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This building was constructed in 1897 as an “Adayou” store, which had been in the wholesale grain business for generations. It is one of the largest Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) structures in Kawagoe, with a magnificent appearance including high Hakomune (prominent box-like ridge), huge Onigawara (goblin roof tile ornament) and Kagemori (plastered roof ornaments). In this area, rice wholesale stores had lined the street from the Edo Era to the early Showa Era. It was said that the market price of rice was fixed in Kawagoe. The beautifully designed hinged double doors are engraved with six levels, preventing fire from spreading. The opening on the second floor is only on the south side, and the other three sides have no windows in order to protect from the seasonal winter winds. data Address：2-8 matsue-cho, Kawagoe City

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Kameya Tea Shop was separated from "Kameya" around 1877 and started as "Ocha Kameya" shop specializing in tea. It lost almost all its buildings, except the Bunkogura (library) and the Misogura (storehouse for miso) when they burned down in the Great Fire of Kawagoe. The current Misegura (building combining a shop and living areas) and Sodegura (attached storehouse) were built from 1900 to 1905. The opening part does not have hinged double doors but rather Senbon-koshi (windows decorated with wooden latticework) with the doors being coated with plaster. It can prevent a fire from occurring and is structured in consideration of aesthetics and livability. The eaves end is called Ichimonji-Gawara with a straight lower-line roof and all the tiles were ordered from Kyoto. It’s a very sophisticated design with a gate made of bricks that was built after the Great Kanto Earthquake. data Address：2-6 Naka-cho, Kawagoe City

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Since the foundation in 1783, "Kameya" served as a chartered merchant from the Kawagoe Domain and the family head succeeded the name of Kashichi over the generations. The current building was constructed by Kashichi the fifth in 1893, immediately after the Great Fire of Kawagoe. The Misegura (building combining a shop and living areas) is 4 ken long (7.27 meters) in frontage by 2.5 ken long (4.54 meters) in depth in the Kirizuma-zukuri style (gabled roof) and Hirairi style (with the entrance on the long side of the building). On the north side, there are Sodekabe (wing walls) and Sodegura (wing storehouses) for fire protection. This building has many characteristics typical of Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) in Kawagoe, such as high Hakomune (prominent box-like ridge), thick and deep eaves, and hinged double doors. In particular, one of the hinged double doors is designed to fit precisely together with the other one when opening. The exterior walls are also polished and finished with black-plaster, which is considered the finest finish. Within the grounds is the Yamazaki Art Museum which displays paintings by Japanese-style painter Hashimoto Gaho, data Address：4-3 Naka-cho, Kawagoe City

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Sakuma Ryokan started as a lounge for horse-car passengers at the beginning of the Meiji Era. Later, it established a hotel business in 1894. The drawing room known as the "backroom" used a lavish amount of precious wood and was built in 1911. It is designated as a tangible cultural asset of the country. Apart from the south side which faces the inner garden, the other sides have mud walls, emphasizing fire protection. Shimazaki Toson, the great novelist, frequently stayed at the guesthouse to write novels. data Address：2-5-4 matsue-cho, Kawagoe City

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Said to have started between 1530 and 1550, when Renkeini, the Mother of Daidoji Masashige who was a vassal of Hojo Ujiyasu and Kawagoe castle Keeper, invited Holy Priest Kanyo Zontei to elect the temple. Kanyo Zontei later became the tenth head of Zojo-ji Temple, producing many high priests who learned under him. As a Danrin (seminary for Jodo sect trainee priests), Renkei-ji Temple was counted as one of Kanto’s Eighteen Danrin. It is also known as a Holy Priest Donryu temple for faith in parenting, and the Donryu-hall in front of the main gate entrance attracts many visitors who pray for the easy delivery and raising of children. Also, the "Obinzuru-sama" situated in front of the Donryu-hall is believed to heal sickness if you touch the statue in the same place that you have the health problem. data Address：7-1 Renjeku-cho, Kawagoe City

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Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is said to have been founded during the Tumulus Period, two years after the administration of Emperor Kinmei. In 1457, after Ota Doshin and his son Dokan built Kawagoe Castle, it had been well-respected by successive domain lords as Sochinju (the central place to pray to local gods) in the Joka (castle town). It was also fondly known as "Ohikawa-sama" by the residents. As the five deities enshrined are family and couples, they are gods known for the "Safety of one's family", "Harmonious marriage", and "Marriage", and every year it’s where many couples hold their wedding ceremony. Recently, the summer event "Furin (wind chimes) for marriage" is becoming popular where people attach Tanzaku (paper strips) on which they write their wishes to more than 2,000 Edo Furin hung within the grounds of the shrine. “Kawagoe Festival” held in October is an annual festival of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. data Address：2-11-3 Miyashita-machi, Kawagoe City

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Kawagoe Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings extend for about 400 meters north to south and about 200 meters east to west along Ichibangai Street, with the northernmost tip being Fudanotsuji and the southernmost tip being Nakacho. It used to be the center of "Jikkacho Shimonzen" (ten towns and four temple towns), the townspeople district since the Edo Era. The townhouses in the Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) were built from the Edo period; however, in 1893, after the Great Fire of Kawagoe, the merchants in Kawagoe were competing to introduce the Kura-zukuri which had better fireproof performance. Furthermore, from the Taisho Era, modern Western-style architecture and Western style exterior town houses also appeared. Thus, the magnificent Machiya townhouses in the Kura-zukuri style of Meiji Era and some modern Western-style buildings also lined up alongside in the town zoning of the Edo Era, creating a unique historical landscape. data Address：Saiwai-cho, Moto-machi, Naka-cho, Kawagoe City

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The earliest record regarding Toki-no-kane (Time Bell Tower) was from 1653, when the Lord of the Kawagoe Domain, Matsudaira Nobutsuna, ordered the casting of a damaged bell. In those days, it was on the premises of Jorenji Temple of the Tendai-shu sect, located in a town called Taga-cho. As it was situated in the center of Kawagoe town, it was said that the sound of the bell arrived at every corner in all directions. The Yagura (turret) had been rebuilt frequently throughout the Edo Era and the hanging bell had also been replaced several times. The current building was built by the carpenter Sekine Matsugoro after the Great Fire of Kawagoe in 1893. The Yagura is a well-balanced building, about 16 meters high. Today, the clock still strikes four times a day; at 6 A.M., 12 noon, 3 P.M., and 6 P.M.. It’s a symbol of the castletown, Kawagoe. data Address：15-7 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City

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This building belongs to the Hattori Family of “Yamashin” who dealt in umbrellas, footwear and medicines, allegedly built in 1893, immediately after the Great Fire of Kawagoe. With its Kirizuma style (gabled roof) and Hirairi style (with the entrance on the long side of the building), the front is stuccoed by taking fire protection into account. The walls are made thinner than the Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style). Also, the sides adopt the Shitami-itabari style (wooden board sidings with battens). It’s a two-story building, but there are no windows on the front of the second floor. This structure is commonly seen in Machiya (traditional townhouses) in the Kansai Region, representing the stuccoed structure of Kawagoe in the Meiji Era. Inside the building, you can see the merchant's tools which have been passed on to the Hattori Family. data Address：6-8 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City

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In 1028, Taira no Tadatsune in Shimousa (now Chiba Prefecture) launched a rebellion against the Imperial Court and invaded Musashi after occupying the three regions of Awa, Kazusa, and Shimousa. The court ordered Minamoto no Yorinobu, the Lord of Kai and a leading samurai in Musashi, to track down and kill Taira no Tadatsune. Prior to the battle, Yorinobu prayed for victory here and was able to suppress Tadatsune's forces. Yorinobu deeply thanked God and founded Hachiman-gu here in 1030. Kawagoe Hachiman-gu Shrine is known for the "God of Games", which still attracts students and athletes to pray for success or victory. Within the grounds is the Sumo Inari Shrine, which is considered to have health benefits for the legs, and the sacred "ginkgo tree for marriage". data Address：19-3 Minamitori-machi. Kawagoe City

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This store, named "Mukadeya", was constructed by the wholesaler of thread and braids Taguchi Kichibei in 1896. The Misegura (building combining a shop and living areas) is a two-story building, with the appearance of Kirizuma-zukuri (gabled roof) and the Hirairi style (with the entrance on the long side of the building). The thick eaves with black plaster display the typical Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style) of Kawagoe. However, the structure where the entrance to the living areas is located beside the Misegura is not seen in other Kura-zukuri styles. This structure emphasizes usability rather than the size of the Misegura frontage. Hinged double doors are covered with copper plates rather than being covered in plaster and they are located on the east and south sides which are protected from the winter winds. data Address：2-5 matsue-cho, Kawagoe City

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This building was constructed as the Kawagoe Branch of the Bushu Bank in 1927. In classic revival style, the appearance is magnificent with Doris-style colonnades leading to the exterior walls, medallion decorations at the upper part of the entrance and under the eaves. This two-story building was made of reinforced concrete, designed by Maeda Kenjiro who also designed the Takashimaya store in Nihonbashi, constructed by Takayama Gumi. There are also basement rooms. data Address：1-12 Naka-cho, Kawagoe City

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Kawagoe Castle is also known as Hatsukari Castle, which Uesugi Mochitomo, the family head of the Ogigayatsu-Uesugi clan, ordered his vassals, Ota Doshin and his son Dokan, to build in 1457. Since then, Kawagoe Castle continued for more than 400 years until it was dismantled in 1871. The current Honmaru Goten was built by Matsudaira Naritsune, the Lord of the Kawagoe Domain, in 1848. In those days, the Kawagoe Domain boasted the highest income in its history of 170,000 koku (quantity of rice), with 16 buildings on a site of 1,025 tsubo (unit of area) in total. However, only the entrance and the large hall still remain. The Karo (chief retainers) station was sold to the Hoshino family in Fukuoka Village (present Fujimino City) after the Meiji restoration, which was relocated and restored in 1988. data Address：2-13-1 Kuruwa-machi, Kawagoe City

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Said to have been founded during the Heian Era and located in the Tenjin Guruwa of the former Kawagoe Castle; a.k.a. the Tenjin-sama of castles. These picturesque spots used to be known as “Iruma no Kori, Miyoshino no Sato”, where Ariwara no Narihira visited, the protagonist of the Story of Ise in the Heian Era. In those days there were Hatsukari no Sugi (Japanese cedar), which every time the wild geese flew by they would stop and call out thrice, and also Shogun Komatunagi no Shii (chinquapin tree), to which Shogun tied a horse. Also, the temple path is said to be the birthplace of "Toryanse", the traditional children’s song. The shrine pavilions are in the Gongen-zukuri style with sheet copper roofing, connecting Honden and Haiden with Heiden. In 1624, Sakai Tadakatsu, who later became the Lord of Kawagoe Castle, built them under orders from the Bakufu (shogunate government) in 1624. Ebisusha and Daikokusha are in the Misedana-zukuri style, built in front of the Honden, facing each other side by side. They were built in the mid-Edo Era. data Address：2-25-11 Kuruwa-machi, Kawagoe City

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Matsumoto Shinjiro the first purchased the soy sauce brewer Yokotaya Store, a branch family member of the Yokota who used to be one of the key figures of the Kawagoe Domain in 1889, which is the origin of the Matsumoto Soy Sauce Store. Since the Yokota Family started the soy sauce brewing business here around 1830, it is thought that this building was also constructed at the end of the Edo Era. It is such an old style where the exterior walls are finished with white plaster and the windows have single sliding doors coated with mud and plaster, rather than hinged double doors. The floor height of the second floor is also low, different from a Misegura (building combining a shop and living areas) in the Meiji Era. data Address：10-13 Naka-cho, Kawagoe City

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This building was constructed by the sugar dealer Matsuzaki Tokujiro the second in 1901 and the name of the store was “Matsuzakiya.” It is located on a corner facing the junction of Nakacho, which has the massive, heavy appearance of the Irimoya zukuri style (half-hipped roof style). The huge Kagemori (plastered roof ornaments) behind the Onigawara (gargoyle roof tile ornament), the high and wide Hakomune (prominent box-like ridge), the Kegyo of the embellishment of gable pediments used for the construction of temples and shrines, and the thick and deep eaves applied with black-plaster. All of these may create a magnificent impression. You may feel the energy of the old Kawagoe merchants in those days from these Kura-zukuri (storehouse-style). data Address：6-2 Naka-cho, Kawagoe City

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This building was built by the kimono fabrics dealer Yamamoto Heibei in 1894, immediately after the Great Fire of Meiji. Currently it’s the pottery shop, “Yamawa.” Because it is located on a corner lot from Ichibangai Street to the approach to the gate of Chokiin Temple, an L-shaped Geya (small roof) is attached alongside the two streets, and the roof is built in the Irimoya zukuri style which makes the appearance of the corner lot more distinctive. On the Tsumagawa (gable side) carved wooden pieces called Kegyo are also attached. Also, a statue called “Shokizo” is placed on top of the roof to expel evil spirits. Please look out for the statue! data Address：7-1 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City

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This renowned temple of the Tendai-shu sect, founded by the saint Jikaku-Daishi Ennin in 830, is officially known as ‘Seiyasan Muryoju-ji Kita-in’ Temple. In 1588, Tenkai Sojo (a high-ranking Buddhist priest) became the head priest, winning the great confidence of Ieyasu TOKUGAWA, Kita-in Temple also enjoyed the great patronage of the Edo Bakufu (shogunate government). In the Great Fire of 1638, the temple lost all of its buildings except for the temple gate which still exists today. In the following year, part of the Momijiyama-goten of Edo Castle was relocated and transformed into the Kyaku-den (guest hall), Shoin (drawing room) and Kuri (priest’s kitchen and living room) under the order of the third Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. Adjacent is the Senba Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Lord Ieyasu TOKUGAWA. Also, popular with sightseers are the 500 Statues of Rakan (disciples of Buddha), one of the three greatest Rakans of Japan. In the grounds of the temple approximately 540 stone images of Buddhist are lined up, p recisely depicting expressions of human emotions. data Address：1-20-1 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City