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Tokyo Weekender
28-05-2025
- Tokyo Weekender
What To Do in Kawagoe: A Charming, Historic 'Little Edo' Near Tokyo
Kawagoe has earned the nickname 'Little Edo' for a reason — it's brimming with impeccably preserved historic buildings, traditional food offerings and unique cultural experiences. Located in Saitama Prefecture, the city is a less than an hour's train journey away from Seibu-Shinjuku Station via the Red Arrow Limited Express. Kawagoe is a hugely popular day trip location for Tokyoites, and it's easy to see why. Keep reading for a perfect day-long itinerary — including a matcha tea ceremony experience in a picturesque Japanese garden and a stroll through the breathtaking remains of the original Edo Castle. Hikawa Shrine: Praying for Love and Family One of Kawagoe's most visited sites, Hikawa Shrine is often visited by couples and families to pray for marital harmony and family unity. It boasts 1500 years of history and served as a place of prayer for generations of feudal lords. You can participate in a number of unique and historic activities here. Be sure to pay a visit to the two towering zelkova trees on the shrine grounds, treasured for their connection to divinity. It is said that walking around the stone path around the trees in a figure-eight formation will enrich your spirit. Another must-try activity: walking through the long tunnel of ema (wooden prayer plates) and fishing out a special sea bream-shaped omikuji (paper fortune), which will predict your romantic fortune. Jikeido Hall Kita-in Temple: Witness Edo Castle Splendor Founded in 830 CE, Kita-in Temple is an important center for Tendai Buddhism; it's also home to several National Important Cultural Properties. Notably, it's the location of the only remaining structures from the original Edo Castle — after a fire destroyed much of the temple grounds in 1638, the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu, ordered several palace buildings to be moved there to help with rebuilding. San-mon Gate Kitain Pagoda 'The temple's main gate, Sanmon, is referred to as 'miracle gate,' for its survival of the fire that burnt down much of Kawagoe in 1638,' our guide, Haruo Azami, explained to TW. Like the unassuming gate, many of Kita-in's structures possess a quiet strength difficult to capture in words. Its pagoda, for instance, is a two-tiered tahoto structure — a style that originates from Japan, unlike three or five-tiered builds inspired by Chinese pagodas. 'The Kita-in pagoda is particularly admired for its beauty and balance,' Azami said. Shogun Iemitsu's Birthplace Visitors can also look forward to seeing the (rumored) birthplace and living quarters of Shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa, part of the last remains of the original Edo Castle. Surrounding the historic rooms and priceless artifacts is Momijiyama Garden, an impeccably maintained oasis of towering willow trees and Japanese maple. 500 Statues of Rakan Also within the Kita-in Temple grounds are the 500 Statues of Rakan: carefully sculpted stone representations of Buddha's most enlightened disciples. Completed between the years 1782 and 1825, the statues feature a variety of facial expressions and poses and are said to relieve the suffering of their onlookers. Kawagoe Castle Ruins: Living Capsule of History A 10-minute walk away from Kita-in is Kawagoe Castle's Honmaru Palace, a surviving structure from the castle's later history. While Kawagoe Castle was originally built in 1457, the current Honmaru Palace was constructed in 1848 during the late Edo period and is one of the few remaining examples of Edo-period castle palace architecture. Although the existing palace dates to the 19th century, the site itself is steeped in history. Kawagoe Castle served as a key defensive stronghold for Edo and witnessed numerous significant events, including the great Kawagoe Night Battle of 1546. Architecturally, the palace is notable for its graceful samurai-style karahafu curved roof and the gleaming Tokugawa family crest that adorns it — a must-visit for history buffs. Miyoshino Shrine Right next to Honmaru Palace, Miyoshino Shrine was revered as an important religious site of the Tokugawa Shogunate. It was built some 1200 years ago, around the same time as Kita-in Temple, and enshrines four deities, including Sugawara no Michizane, the Shinto god of learning. Interestingly, the narrow path leading from the South Otemon Gate of Kawagoe Castle to the shrine inspired a famous Japanese nursery rhyme called 'Toryanse,' a fact which is commemorated with a monument on the shrine grounds. Kawagoe Warehouse District (Kurazukuri Street): Journey Back in Time Kurazukuri Street, a shopping hub that forms the bustling heart of Kawagoe City, is a must-visit during your trip. It is home to Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower), perhaps the most frequently referenced and photographed landmark of the city. Kawagoe was an instrumental town of trade and commerce, and its warehouses remain today as eateries, cafes and miscellaneous souvenir stores. Here are a few of our favorites. Unagi Denbe: Luxurious Freshwater Eel Housed in a spacious, atmospheric Meiji era warehouse once home to an apothecary , Unagi Denbe offers incredible unajyu meals. Unajyu consists of grilled unagi — freshwater eel — laid carefully atop a bed of rice in a lacquered box. We tried the shop's bando taro premium eel, cooked kabayaki-style (with a soy-based sauce), which was sumptuous and flavor-rich beyond our expectations. For wagyu lovers, the restaurant also offers half-wagyu, half-unagi meals. Karaki Mokkou: Carve Your Own Chopsticks For a fun activity and a unique souvenir, head to Karaki Mokkou to craft your own chopsticks, choosing your favorite kind of wood and then carefully molding the chopsticks' shape. The experience is great for people of all ages. Smaller chopsticks are also available as an option for children. The workshop is run by Holiday, a bespoke furniture business in Yamada, Kawagoe city, and knowledgeable staff are available to guide you through the process. Each table features a phone stand above it, enabling visitors to film a cool time-lapse video of the entire process as an extra keepsake. Kashiya Yokocho: A Nostalgic Candy Alley Kashiya Yokocho, or Candy Alley, is just what it sounds like: a charming shopping street lined with about 30 confectionery shops. Kawagoe has many sweet treats to offer, both within Candy Alley and beyond . During our visit, we tried a number of snacks that were equally delicious and beautiful to look at: crème brûléed sweet potato (sweet potatoes are a specialty of Saitama, especially Kawagoe), giant mitarashi dango and candied strawberries with a sculptural net of spun sugar around them. Tranquil Matcha Tea Ceremony at Tantoku Garden While many places in Japan offer traditional tea ceremony experiences, Tantoku Garden stands out for its rich history, enchanting Japanese garden and kind guidance. The site was established in 1901, during the Meiji period, and has maintained its charm to this day. The garden's ethereal beauty attracts many visitors and wedding celebrations year-round, but we highly recommend booking the Matcha & Wasanbon Experience , crafted especially for tea enthusiasts; you can learn how to properly whisk and enjoy matcha from an experienced instructor and craft wasanbon (Japanese sugar sweets with over 200 years of history). How To Get to Kawagoe To get to Kawagoe from central Tokyo, take the Red Arrow Limited Express from Seibu-Shinjuku Station. To ride the Limited Express, a separate limited express ticket is required in addition to your regular fare ticket, which can be purchased on the day of travel at Limited Express ticket counters or online via Smooz in English. The Seibu Kawagoe Pass ensures a smooth and comfortable round trip from central Tokyo to Kawagoe and back, and only costs ¥700 (4.85 USD). You can purchase it in person a t the Limited Express ticket counter at Seibu-Shinjuku Station . Alternatively, purchasing a digital pass via Klook is highly recommended, as it allows you to board the train directly just by presenting a QR code on your mobile device. The blue ticket is the SEIBU KAWAGOE PASS with CO-EDO LOOP BUS 1-Day Ticket — it includes unlimited rides on local loop buses in the Kawagoe area.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Senior Bowl Q&A: Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander
It's no secret that the Houston Texans need reinforcements along the interior of their defensive line in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. Fortunately, this group offers a wealth of talent and a good portion is on display in front of Texans evaluators at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Darius Alexander played for five years at Toledo and plans to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Quinyon Mitchell as the next rising Rocket to make an instant impact at the NFL level. The senior defensive tackle finished his 2024 campaign with 40 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while making a difference as an interior pass-rusher. Texans Wire was able to speak with Alexander and he confirmed that he met with the Texans, plus his college journey and expectations for the pro level. Texans Wire: What brought you to the Senior Bowl? Darius Alexander: "Really, Jim Nagy brought us to the Senior Bowl, but more than that, my game. My game, to show that I can play at the top level and that I can compete with these guys here. That's why I'm here. Everyone's having a great time, everyone's bonding, just getting to know each other, getting to feel for each other's game. We just respect each other and are having fun. That's what we're doing right now." TW: How have you felt about your experience here so far? Alexander: "I feel like it's been going wonderfully, you know, just getting out there with new guys that you've never played with before. Understanding how they play and then they understand how you play and also the O-Line, new guys playing with each other. So just going out there to watch them guys compete against us and watch how they try and work together. It's been great. As far as being here the first day as a proud it's been wonderful. I got family that's from here in Alabama, so just to come down here and to put on and just have fun and just walk around and be here. I'm loving it, so enjoying it." TW: What kind of player and person is your future NFL team getting? Alexander: "I mean, for one, they're going to have a quiet guy for sure. I talk once I get familiar with guys, things like that. For the most part, I keep things to myself, but they're going to get a hard worker who keeps his head down. I motivate myself to work hard and I think that's what my teammates would be getting." TW: What kind of role do you see yourself playing on an NFL defense? Alexander: "I like to play everywhere on the defensive line, but for me, I like to be a three-technique defensive tackle. I just want to be a penetrator and make the defensive coach happy." TW: What was your favorite play from this past season? Alexander: "I'll probably say the pick versus Pittsburgh. I'll say that for. That was a fun interception for me, just to catch that and score. My defensive coordinator believed in me to drop me coverage and make a play. So I think that's one of the plays for sure." TW: Did you talk to Texans and how would it be to play for them? Alexander: "If I'm not mistaken, I have, I think I have for sure. That went good. That's a great defense. I love the players. You got Danielle Hunter, got Will Anderson on the other side so I think just me coming in to be a good 3-tech for those guys would be fun for sure." This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Senior Bowl Q&A: Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Senior Bowl Q&A: Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander
It's no secret that the Houston Texans need reinforcements along the interior of their defensive line in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. Fortunately, this group offers a wealth of talent and a good portion is on display in front of Texans evaluators at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Darius Alexander played for five years at Toledo and plans to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Quinyon Mitchell as the next rising Rocket to make an instant impact at the NFL level. The senior defensive tackle finished his 2024 campaign with 40 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while making a difference as an interior pass-rusher. Texans Wire was able to speak with Alexander and he confirmed that he met with the Texans, plus his college journey and expectations for the pro level. I am now Darius Alexander's biggest fan — Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) January 31, 2025 Texans Wire: What brought you to the Senior Bowl? Darius Alexander: 'Really, Jim Nagy brought us to the Senior Bowl, but more than that, my game. My game, to show that I can play at the top level and that I can compete with these guys here. That's why I'm here. Everyone's having a great time, everyone's bonding, just getting to know each other, getting to feel for each other's game. We just respect each other and are having fun. That's what we're doing right now.' TW: How have you felt about your experience here so far? Alexander: 'I feel like it's been going wonderfully, you know, just getting out there with new guys that you've never played with before. Understanding how they play and then they understand how you play and also the O-Line, new guys playing with each other. So just going out there to watch them guys compete against us and watch how they try and work together. It's been great. As far as being here the first day as a proud it's been wonderful. I got family that's from here in Alabama, so just to come down here and to put on and just have fun and just walk around and be here. I'm loving it, so enjoying it.' Darius Alexander is a mutant. This is absolutely silly from a 300 pounder. Standing up as a wide 9 edge rusher, you should not look this — Nick Martin (@themicknartin) January 30, 2025 TW: What kind of player and person is your future NFL team getting? Alexander: 'I mean, for one, they're going to have a quiet guy for sure. I talk once I get familiar with guys, things like that. For the most part, I keep things to myself, but they're going to get a hard worker who keeps his head down. I motivate myself to work hard and I think that's what my teammates would be getting.' TW: What kind of role do you see yourself playing on an NFL defense? Alexander: 'I like to play everywhere on the defensive line, but for me, I like to be a three-technique defensive tackle. I just want to be a penetrator and make the defensive coach happy.' Toledo DL Darius Alexander continues to stack impressive reps during #SeniorBowl week. Looked good during Thursday's practice. Stock up player 📈 — Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 30, 2025 TW: What was your favorite play from this past season? Alexander: 'I'll probably say the pick versus Pittsburgh. I'll say that for. That was a fun interception for me, just to catch that and score. My defensive coordinator believed in me to drop me coverage and make a play. So I think that's one of the plays for sure.' TW: Did you talk to Texans and how would it be to play for them? Alexander: 'If I'm not mistaken, I have, I think I have for sure. That went good. That's a great defense. I love the players. You got Danielle Hunter, got Will Anderson on the other side so I think just me coming in to be a good 3-tech for those guys would be fun for sure.'
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans Wire Senior Bowl Q&A: Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes
Senior Bowl week is underway in Mobile, Ala., as the NFL Draft cycle is set to begin. The 2025 class is one of the strongest tied-in classes in recent years. It comes as no surprise that the Houston Texans are doing their homework on the available group of players at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Georgia Tech tight end Jackson Hawes is coming off a strong senior campaign where he showed off his prowess as a blocker and finished with 16 receptions for 195 yards. His presence at the Senior Bowl has been a huge opportunity to prove that he can offer more than just his ability as a blocker and to meet with several NFL coaching staffs. Texans Wire had the chance to sit down with Hawes, who confirmed that he had met with the Texans, to discuss his college career and week at the Senior Bowl. Texans Wire: Why did you decide to play in the Senior Bowl? Jackson Hawes: 'I mean, why not? You know, it's a great opportunity going against the best of the best. I think Jim (Nagy) has done a really good job like with this event and there's a reason everyone's here, there's a reason I'm here. We're the best college football players in the nation going into this next step and why not man? It's a great opportunity.' TW: How has your experience been here this week? Hawes: 'I feel good. I feel like the install has been, you know, it's been a lot obviously, but it's been manageable. I feel like the coaches have done a really good job at not overwhelming us there because they know we got interviews and other stuff to prepare for. Prepare for. All the players are awesome, Just a bunch of different personalities from all over the country. It is so fun, it's going by too fast. You know, our coach brought us up at the end and was like, 'I think we're really becoming, to start to be a team.' You know I think you see stuff like that when when guys are, you know, bonding and come closer.' Former #GATech TE Jackson Hawes reflects on his time in Atlanta and credits Brent Key with a strong culture being built inside the building… 📺 — The Crowded Booth (@thecrowdedbooth) January 30, 2025 TW: What kind of player and person is your future NFL team getting? Hawes: 'I'm just a guy that's going to walk into any room with the most positive mindset ever. You know, I'm a guy who is really confident. I'm a guy that really likes to win, who knows what it takes, you know, at Yale and at Georgia Tech? I'm going to look to do whatever I can and inspire my teammates to make that happen.' TW: What is a play from your 2024 season that you're excited to show NFL evaluators? Hawes: 'I guess the first one that comes to mind is I had like a 41-yard seem-read against Louisville late in the game. We were down, it was like 2 two-minute offense and I had tweaked my ankle, you know, a couple of plays before and decided to stay into the game. I guess, not to be a braggart or anything, but that's a testament to my toughness and my willingness to compete for my team. And you know, I was out for a couple weeks after that, but I'm glad I stayed in because it gave me the opportunity to show a big play.' Jackson Hawes pass pro — Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 30, 2025 TW: Have you met with the Houston Texans this week? Hawes: I have, that's one of my favorite teams I've met with so far. I guess I won't go into too much detail of course, but they were just totally enthusiastic about me. You know, they were just totally into it and they really matched my energy I felt like. TW: What would it be like to play if a quarterback like C.J. Stroud? Hawes: 'I would love it. Yeah, I think CJ is awesome. He does a really good job. I think he's really inspirational and really motivational towards his guys. Him being so young and being able to do all that and rally guys around him and have success in the playoffs is really cool to see. You know, why wouldn't anyone want to play for him.'
