Koedo Kurari is a small shopping area with food, sake and souvenirs housed in a converted sake brewery. The building is registered as a national tangible cultural property and is one of the symbols of Kawagoe. Saitama Prefecture is the 4th largest sake producer in all of Japan. There is a sake tasting hall in Koedo Kurari, with a choice of 35 sake from around Saitama, dispensed from a vending machine! Koedo Kurari hosts several events and markets throughout the year. At New Year, they generally have a small New Year market on January 3rd as well as live Taiko performances, known as the New Year ‘first drum’ performance. Throughout the year, they have a range of events, generally one to two a month. Each of the events are free to spectate.
Seasonal Events at Koedo Kurari
The majority of events are held in the courtyard, pictured above. But there is also an indoor event space too, which is used for workshops and exhibitions among other things. At the end of each month they have a regular market:
Last Sunday Market
On the last Sunday of each month there is a “Last Sunday Market” in Kawagoe. It is also held at Kawagoe Hachimangu as well. There are also a couple of other venues, such as Chabudai. But the event at Koedo Kurari is on at a more reasonable and longer time: from 10 am to 3 pm. The other venues are only on during the morning until 12 noon. At the market they sell handmade goods and vegetables and there are food trucks in the courtyard.
Regular event: Last Sunday Market
Date: Last Sunday of the month from 10 am to 3 pm.
Please do check with the Official Instagram for monthly updates as there are times when it is changed / cancelled due to weather or other factors.
Illumination
The first ever illumination was in the winter of 2025. It was on from Saturday January 25th 2025, just as other illumination were finishing. But for the winter of 2026 it will start earlier; on December 6th 2025. This year the theme is “Hikari Seasons”. The courtyard will be lit up every night until Sunday March 29th 2026, from dusk until 8 pm. Please note there maybe times the lights aren’t turned on or turned off early due to weather or other mitigating factors.
Regular event: Winter illumination
Date: December 6th 2025 to March 29th 2026 from dusk until 8 pm.
Upcoming events
New Years events
On Saturday January 3rd 2026 they have shishimai, daruma, and the “first drums” of the year. From 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. The festival float is usually on display too.
Tasting machine conquest challenge
Until February 15th 2026 there is a special sake event in Koedo Kurari. It is in the celebration of Japan’s “traditional sake brewing” being registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. As above, Koedo Kurari is home to nihonshu vending machines. Usually there are 35 but for this event, there are 50. If you taste all 50 during the period of the tasting challenge, you will receive a special sake cup, a commemorative glass, and a bottle of your favorite sake (300ml). Participants aged 20 and over can join by purchasing a starter kit (500 yen), which includes a booklet, pencil, and three tasting-machine medals. After inserting medals into the automated sake dispensers, visitors can sample their favorite varieties and record notes to create a personalized tasting journal. Official event page.
Character Meet-and-Greet Festival
An annual event at Koedo Kurari, the mascot / character friendship / meet and greet (きゃらくたーふれあいまつり) is on public holiday Wednesday February 11th in 2026. It is on from 11 am to 4 pm.
Koedo Kurari Information
Venue: Koedo Kurari 小江戸蔵里
Address: 〒350-0043 Saitama, Kawagoe, Shintomicho, 1 Chome−10−1. View on Google Maps.
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm. The sake tasting dispensing machine is open from 11 am to 7 pm.
Access
Kawagoe Kurari is within walking distance of Hon Kawagoe, Kawagoeshi and Kawagoe station. Hon Kawagoe station (Seibu Shinjuku line) in particular is very close. It only takes about four minutes on foot from Hon-Kawagoe. Kawagoeshi station takes about 10 minutes and Kawagoe Station about 13 minutes. There is coin parking in the area, but please note it can be very congested and costs higher than average.
Previous events of note:
- Kimio Yajima Styrofoam Art All Frog Exhibition ヤジマキミオ ぜーんぶカエル展 from December 6th to 10th 2023
- Various New Year events on January 2nd and 3rd 2024 including a market, shishimai and hashigo-nori.