Just a 30 minutes train ride from Ikebukuro in the northern part of Tokyo lies Kawagoe, a charming little town in Saitama prefecture. You’ll be surprised to find that this little town once was a flourishing castle town, and that it still contains a large collection of houses dating back to the Edo period – this has in fact helped Kawagoe gain its nickname “Little Edo” (子江戸). I have had the pleasure of visiting Kawagoe a number of times through my job as a hotel consultant, but this time was my first time to enjoy the atmosphere of the traditional area of Kawagoe while wearing the traditional Japanese outfit kimono.

Saitama is one of the surrounding prefectures of Tokyo, and the area has a rich history with many remarkable places ideal for sightseeing. Right north of the more well-known town Kawagoe (known as "little Edo") you find an interesting historical site literarily called the "hundred holes of Yoshimi".

The hundred holes or caves of Yoshimi, "Yoshimi-Hyakuana" or "Yoshimi-Hyakketsu" in Japanese, is a cluster of none less than 219 graves which are thought to be dating back to around the 6th/7th century. After having been rediscovered in 1887 the Yoshimi caves were designated as a National Historic Site in 1923, and the Cappadocia-like landscape continues to attract both tourists and researchers from near and far.

In addition to being famous in Japan for tourist spots such as the Mitsumine Shrine and the Shibazakura in Hitsujiyama Park, Chichibu is also a great place for people who want to experience a traditional Japanese ryokan hotel at half the price of what you would have to pay for if you visit Hakone. Recently I went to Chichibu with my fiancé and his family, and we had the pleasure of staying a night at the ryokan Ikou no Mura Heritage (いこいの村ヘリテイジ美の山).

The parade featuring Kawagoe's Time Bell Tower in the background

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