Since the inauguration of this seasonal pinwheel display, each year I share information for the annual June event at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. However, last year, I wrote a whole new post about the pinwheels, because they were up longer than normal due to the 100 year anniversary of Kawagoe City.Read More →
Recently a friend asked me did I know where you can buy the giant cotton candy (candy floss) you sometimes see people walking around Kawagoe with. Although, I am not a foodie, I am into anything photogenic, so I actually not only know the shop, I have been. And theRead More →
Information for the Festival of Dreams event at Kitain Temple, Kawagoe, on May 13th 2023. As you may know, Kawagoe City celebrated 100 years as a municipality last year. This festival has the byline “A day to gather dreams for the next 100 years”. Festival of Dreams A festival offeringRead More →
Information for Cafe and Bar Kingyo-tei (Kingyo Tei | Kingyotei | 金魚亭) in old Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture. Kingyo-tei Kingyotei is located on the grounds of Matsumoto Shoyu. It opened in March 2022, replacing the once popular Cafe Kura which closed permanently in 2020. Retro cafes are all the rage atRead More →
The Somei Yoshino variety have well and truly finished, but right now some of my favourites are in bloom. Its no secret that yaezakura are my favourite cherry blossom variety, but I also really adore the Gyoiko (Gyoikou ギョイコウ). They are a really special, magical, cherry blossom that changes colorRead More →
Cherry Blossoms and boat ride, Shingashi River – Kawagoe is just 31 minutes from Ikebukuro, Tokyo, on the Tobu Tojo line. It is a popular tourist town. One of Kawagoe’s most spectacular spots to enjoy “sakura” is out the back of Hikawa shrine, where the cherry blossoms line the Shingashi River. UntilRead More →
Ten cherry blossom spots in Kawagoe. The list includes “famous” locations as well as off the beaten path cherry blossom spots in Kawagoe. All locations are mapped on a Google My Map at the bottom of the page. There is another very special and completely off the beaten path cherryRead More →
Temple light up and Turkey Syria Earthquake fundraising / solidarity at Saimyoji, March 2023. This post was updated on March 16th with even more new information for Saimyouji. I serendipitously came across a Facebook post by Saimyoji Temple this afternoon announcing a new light up event that started tonight. TheRead More →
There are now various different places you can see “hanachozu”, floating flowers or floral water fonts, in Kawagoe City. Until 2021, it was mainly Kawagoe Hachimangu, Saimyouji and Sunny Side Terrace. The latter two started a hanachozu contest in 2021 and for the second photo contest later that year, AyanokaRead More →
Each year Renkeiji plays a pivotal role in the opening ceremony of the annual Koedo Kawagoe Spring Festival. This year, they have a special treat for the 2023 opening weekend of the spring festival; a wine festa! Lots and lots of wine. This is insider information for this event asRead More →