Before coming to Japan recently, I had no idea that there was an old town, 30 minutes to Tokyo, called Kawagoe. A week earlier, after attending the tea ceremony, a Japanese friend of mine, who knew I am interested in Japanese culture and history invited me to Kawagoe to know more about the Edo period or the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1868) period. Kawagoe or ‘little Edo’ is a city located in Saitama prefecture. This city during Edo period was a trading city that supplied goods to Tokyo. It is called ‘little Edo’ because the city still retains Edo-era building models.
Kawagoe Bell Tower (Toki-no-kane)
As a trading city, Kawagoe has distinctive warehouses called Kurazukiri, warehouses whose walls are made by a layer of clay that can prevent fires.
Kurazukuri Street
After looking around for a while, I decided to have lunch at the Kousushi restaurant, which provided a halal menu and a praying space. However, the restaurant had already been booked for lunch, and there was no place left. At last, I asked for permission to pray there, kindly they allowed it.^^
Cleansing room
Clean Praying Space
What I like about Japan is, the prayer rooms in various tourist places in Japan were really clean. ^^ After praying, we decided to look for another place to eat. My friend said, Kawagoe is very famous for Unagi (eel). We decided to eat Unagi-don too. It tasted really good. I like Unagi the most. :9
After eating, my friend offered me to rent a kimono and took a walk in ‘little Edo’ wearing Kimono. We entered one of many Kimono rental places scattered around Kurazukuri Street. I chose sakura-colored Kimono that I adjusted with my hijab color. The shop owner said that I chose kimono very fast, hehe.
Obi Kimono
At that time, I got it why people who use Kimono when they walk they look very elegant, because wearing Kimono while walking with wide steps was not possible, as well as the sandals model made me not to step widely. I could not be elegant as I often walk carelessly, hehe.
Ema, wood planks that full of wishes
While walking, we found a traditional Japanese wedding at a Shinto shrine. Previously, I had seen a traditional Japanese wedding at the Meiji Jingu Shrine. In the wedding, the bride used white kimono, while the men used black kimono.
Traditional Japanese Wedding (Shinto)
After satisfied walking around, we returned to Kurazukuri Street. There were a lot of crowded in front of Starbucks, many people took photos at Starbucks that is designed like Edo-era architecture. I also did not miss the opportunity to take a picture, hehe. It turned out that Starbucks has been around since the Edo period! I just found out, hahaha (joudan ^^)
The time showed almost 5 pm, we immediately returned to the Kimono rental place because it was due until 5 pm.
try Kimono ^^
After changed from Kimono, we decided to go to the Kawagoe Festival museum. Too bad the festival had taken place the previous week, so we could only see what the Kawagoe festival was like through the museum. In front of the museum, there was the Koedo (Kawagoe) Loop Bus. This bus had a retro design that matches the streets of Kawagoe.
Because Kawagoe is famous for sweet potatoes, we also bought souvenirs made from Imokoi, which is made of sweet potatoes. Imokoi is steamed first before eating. It was really delicious and melted on my mouth. :9 Very suitable as a companion to drink tea, hehe.
き ょ う わ ほ ん と う に し か っ た 、 あ が と と う た た ^^
Imokoi and tea
Next :Sunset in Kamakura and Night at Enoshima
Previous : Komorebi (木 漏 れ 日)
Leave a Reply