Kawagoe, Saitama

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Kawagoe's shops, temples and tower retain a feeling of the Edo period
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Kawagoe's shops, temples and tower retain a feeling of the Edo period

Kawagoe (川越市) is a city located in Saitama, Japan and is about a 30-minute train ride from Tokyo.

As of January 1, 2006, the city has an estimated population of 332,846 (130,436 households) and a population density of approximately 3,049 persons per km². The total area is 109.16 km².

The city was founded on December 1, 1922.

The city is known locally as "Little Edo", or Koedo (小江戸), after the old name for Tokyo, "Edo". Prominent sites in Kawagoe include the bell tower as seen in the picture to the right. The bell tower serves as the symbol for Koedo and rings three times a day. Other sites include the 500 statues of Rakan and Kitain Temple, the gathering-spot for New Year celebrations. As it approaches midnight on December 31, waits of nearly three hours are commonplace at the temple.

Kawagoe is famous for its sweet potatoes, and on the local "Candy Street" one can find such treats as sweet potato chips, sweet potato ice cream, sweet potato coffee, and even sweet potato beer, brewed at the local Koedo Brewery.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Railways

Statues of Gohyaku Rakan at Kitain Temple
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Statues of Gohyaku Rakan at Kitain Temple

[edit] External links

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  See also: Towns and villages by district edit