Kawagoe---Yokoso!

Kawagoe is a mere 60 minutes train ride out of Tokyo. It's endearingly called "Little Edo"...as it reminds the Japanese of olden days in Tokyo. Each year they have a huge parade with ornate floats. My dad and I visited Kawagoe two days before the festival. Here's one of the festival posters.

First we went to Kita-in, a Buddhist Temple.

My favorite part was this remarkable field of stone statues, mini disciples of Buddha. All 540 statues are unique, no two are alike.

My dad liked this little fellow...

And I loved this guy's smile...

Kawagoe is famous for "kurazukuri" or clay-walled houses. Most of these were built during the Meiji period (1869-1912). In 1893, a fire destroyed most of Kawagoe, and only the kurazukuri survived.

The main street, Chuo-Dori, is lined with these black houses---now used as stores. Walking down this street flanked by jet black buildings makes quite an impression.

Here's the famous bell tower named "Toki no kane" dating back to the mid-seventeenth century. It was rebuilt in 1894 after the original structure was destroyed by the great fire. It tolls four times a day (6 am, 12 noon, 3 pm & 6 pm---in case you're wondering).

A local favorite here is the sweet potato. You can find them in all forms ranging from baked sweet potatoes "o yaki imo", to candies, jellies......

...and even sweet potato dolls wearing kimonos. My dad posing with a lady potato.

Here's the gentleman potato.

Our last stop was to walk down Kashiya Yokocho, or confectioners alley. This picturesque pedestrian street is lined with candy and toy shops---a childs paradise.

***this blog entry is dedicated to Eric and JJ--two Willamette friends who lived in Kawagoe while teaching English via the JET program. Bansai!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawagoe,_Saitama