A short trip back to Saitama prefecture saw me visit the town of Kawagoe. While there is the modern part of the town the best bit is the old town with many buildings showing the way towns used to look before the 1900’s.

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The first place I visited in Kawagoe was Hikawa Shrine. It wasn’t until after I left the shrine that I read that it was a shrine dedicated to relationships and matchmaking. Perhaps I should return there this year and offer a prayer.

The rest of my visit was fascinating but so many tourists. LOL. I tried my first sweet potato ice cream in the Kashiya Yokocho (Penny Candy Lane). I really wanted the purple one but they were out so I settled for the orange sweet potato ice cream. interesting and delicious!!

Icecream Display
Sweet potato ice cream

Even though it was a very hot day and quite crowded it was well worth the trip out. There are plenty of signs in English near famous landmarks, and there are things you come across such as the moat fortifications that are quite interesting and informative.

Description of how the moat fortification works. The illustration helps.
Part of the old moat fortifications of Kawagoe

A great day out all round and heading back to the station I stopped for a bite to eat at a funky chain store diner. Nothing exotic just delicious noodles and gyoza.

Stay tuned for more of my adventures from last years visit to Tokyo….