🏯✨ Kawagoe Summer Weekend Escape: "Little Edo" Time Travel

#summervacay *Perfect for history lovers • foodies • Instagrammers* --- ### **🌞 DAY 1: Edo-Period Adventure** **🚃 9AM:** Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro (30min express) → Kawagoe Station **🏨 11AM:** Drop bags at **Kawagoe Tobu Hotel** (5-min walk to old town) **🏮 12PM:** - **Kurazukuri Street** (clay-walled warehouses) - **Toki no Kane bell tower** (iconic photo spot) **🍡 2PM:** - **Summer street food crawl:** - Grilled unagi (eel) at **Kameya** - Shaved ice at **Kameya Himuro** - Sweet potato soft serve at **Cafe Mugimaru 2** **🎎 4PM:** - **Kawagoe Festival Museum** (try virtual float-pulling!) - **Kimono rental** (@Ichimonjiya, ¥3,500 with Edo-style wig) **🌃 7PM:** - **Summer illuminations** along Penny Lane - Dinner at **Kashiya Yokocho** (fried sweet potato snacks) --- ### **⛩️ DAY 2: Temples & Cool Retreats** **🧊 8AM:** - Morning zen at **Kitain Temple** (500 Rakan statues) - **Secret spot:** Shinto tunnel at **Naka-in** **🍱 12PM:** - Bento lunch by **Kawagoe Castle ruins** - **Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine** (colorful wind chimes in summer) **🎋 2PM:** - **Star Festival decorations** (July-August) - **Kawagoe Matsuri Kaikan** (float exhibition hall) **🍺 7PM:** - Craft beer at **COEDO Brewery** (try the Beniaka sweet potato ale) - **Yakitori alley** behind Honmachi Street --- ### **🛍️ DAY 3: Sweet Farewells** **☕ 9AM:** - Breakfast at **Yorozuya Coffee** (Meiji-era kissaten) - Last photos in morning light (empty streets!) **🎁 11AM:** - Souvenir shopping: - **Sweet potato snacks** at Osatsuan - **Era-style toys** at Kura Chika - **Indigo dye** at Some no Ie **🚆 2PM:** Return with Edo memories --- ### **📸 Must-Capture Summer Moments:** 1. **Red lanterns** against blue sky 2. **Kimono twirl** under wind chimes 3. **Goldfish scooping** at festival stalls 4. **Illuminated warehouses** at dusk **💡 Summer Survival Tips:** ✔️ **Hydrate!** Carry a fan & cooling towels ✔️ **July 23-24:** Kawagoe Million Lights Festival ✔️ **Early arrival** beats the heat & crowds **#kawagoe #littleedo #japantimetravel #summerinjapan** 🎐 **Save this for your nostalgic getaway!**