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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.
Time Out
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Tokyo gov't to waive base water fees this summer
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced plans to temporarily waive base water fees starting in June or July of this year. The waiver is proposed to last four months. The idea behind the initiative is that if you're saving money on your water bill, it may encourage you to spend it on other utilities like AC to keep cool. The unprecedented decision is in response to last year's intense summer heat and aims to reduce the amount of heatstroke-related incidents. Don't let the taps run free though, as the waiver only covers base costs. Those are estimated to be between ¥860 and ¥1,460 per month depending on the size of your water pipes – anything beyond base fees will still be your responsibility to pay. The exact amount to be covered is yet to be announced, but it's estimated that most Tokyoites can save up to ¥5,000 during the four-month period.
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First Post
21-05-2025
- Climate
- First Post
Tokyo waives water fees to help residents beat the heat
In Tokyo, the government has set aside some 36 billion yen in subsidies for the water cost waiver that will be effective for the next four months. Last year, many of the victims who died in the harsh summers did not own an air conditioner or did not use it owing to high costs read more Authorities in Tokyo have waived water fees for residents as a heatwave sweeps the Japanese capital. Japan's government is helping people combat extreme heat after over 200 people died in the country of heatstroke last year. In Tokyo, the government has set aside some 36 billion yen in subsidies for the water cost waiver that will be effective for the next four months. Last year, many of the victims who died in the harsh summers did not own an air conditioner or did not use it owing to high costs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said, 'We are worried that people might refrain from using their air conditioners because they are concerned about living expenses [and] considered what we could do to help pay their bills.' He added, 'We would like to create an environment in which all Tokyoites can live in peace even in the extremely hot weather we are expected to experience this summer.' In Tokyo, base water fees typically range from 860 yen to 1,460 yen per month, depending on the diameter of the household's water pipe. Additional charges, calculated based on actual water usage, are applied separately at standard rates. Temperatures in Tokyo reached 30 degrees Celsius on Tuesday for the first time this year. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, temperatures in Hachioji, Tokyo, reached 33.5 degrees Celsius, while other areas of Tokyo also saw temperatures rise above 30 degrees Celsius. Last week, a new report from the US-based research group Climate Central said scorching heatwaves fuelled by global warming are increasing the risk of dangerous complications during pregnancies across the world, Being exposed to extreme heat while pregnant has previously been linked to a range of problems, including a higher risk of premature birth, stillbirth, birth defects and gestational diabetes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
Saudi Gazette
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Saudi Gazette
Tokyo to waive water fees this summer to combat extreme heat
TOKYO — Basic water utility fees will be waived for residents of Tokyo this summer in an effort to limit the impact of extreme heat, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced. More than ¥36bn ($250m; £186m) has been set aside for the subsidies, which will come into effect for a four-month period. "We would like to create an environment in which all Tokyoites can live in peace even in the extremely hot weather we are expected to experience this summer," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said. Heatstroke claimed a record 263 lives in Tokyo last summer, according to the Bureau of Public Health. Many victims did not have air conditioning or chose not to use it because of high costs. "Due to anxieties over living (costs), there may be cases in which people don't use their air conditioners during a heat wave even though they own one," Koike added. By offsetting water costs, the government aims to encourage residents of the Japanese capital to use other cooling methods like air more than 60% of heatstroke deaths recorded indoors last summer, the victims had not turned air conditioning on, the Tokyo Fire Department said, according to the Japan average, base water fees in Tokyo cost between ¥860 ($6; £4.50) to ¥1,460 ($10; £7.50) per month, depending on the width of the household's water fees — based on water usage and paid on top of base fees — will be charged at their usual has more than 7 million households and a population of more than 14 million, according to government recorded its hottest summer on record last in June, July and August were 1.76 degrees higher than the average between 1991 and 2020, according to the Japan meteorological June and September, nearly 8,000 people in Tokyo were taken to hospitals for heatstroke — also a record — with a majority of deaths recorded among elderly people. — BBC
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tokyo to waive water fees this summer to combat extreme heat
Basic water utility fees will be waived for residents of Tokyo this summer in an effort to limit the impact of extreme heat, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has announced. More than ¥36bn ($250m; £186m) has been set aside for the subsidies, which will come into effect for a four-month period. "We would like to create an environment in which all Tokyoites can live in peace even in the extremely hot weather we are expected to experience this summer," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Joike said. Heatstroke claimed a record 263 lives in Tokyo last summer, according to the Bureau of Public Health. Many victims did not have air conditioning or chose not to use it because of high costs. "Due to anxieties over living (costs), there may be cases in which people don't use their air conditioners during a heat wave even though they own one," Koike added.# By offsetting water costs, the government aims to encourage residents of the Japanese capital to use other cooling methods like air conditioning. In more than 60% of heatstroke deaths recorded indoors last summer, the victims had not turned air conditioning on, the Tokyo Fire Department said, according to the Japan Times. On average, base water fees in Tokyo cost between ¥860 ($6; £4.50) to ¥1,460 ($10; £7.50) per month, depending on the width of the household's water pipe. Additional fees - based on water usage and paid on top of base fees - will be charged at their usual rate. Tokyo has more than 7 million households and a population of more than 14 million, according to government statistics. Japan recorded its hottest summer on record last year. Temperatures in June, July and August were 1.76 degrees higher than the average between 1991 and 2020, according to the Japan meteorological agency. Between June and September, nearly 8,000 people in Tokyo were taken to hospitals for heatstroke - also a record - with a majority of deaths recorded among elderly people.
