From Ikebukuro (Tokyo) it takes about 30 minutes by train to reach Kawagoe. Once you get there, you walk along a sort of shopping street lined with shops. It has a different atmosphere, that feels as if you have arrived in Japan of the old days. The houses along the street are all genuine buildings that have been carefully preserved since olden times. In addition, you can enjoy nature, with the beautiful murmuring sound of running water and koi carp swimming in it. There are lots of old-fashioned shops along the road selling various Japanese foods and things from Japanese culture.
For lunch, we went to an eel restaurant. I had been told it was close to Kawagoe and recommended to go there. The price was so-so, but the location and atmosphere was good so I was satisfied. The eel is charcoal grilled and coated with a sweet Japanese sauce making it sweet and exquisite! If you try it once, you get hooked.
According to the news, there is a grand festival held in Kawagoe every October. In 2016, 500,000 people attended! At the festival, people wear traditional Japanese costumes and call out to each other while carrying a miniature shrine called a mikoshi.
The mikoshi is decorated with light from paper lanterns and livens up the festival even more.
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