Kawagoe, has a castle town’s charm, perfectly suited to kimono wearing. At Kimono Rental Yuzuya on Taisho-roman Street you can take a step back in time and change your clothes, body, and mind.

The shop has about 100 kimonos, about 50 yukatas, and about 30 men's kimonos. Children's kimonos are also available, and the shop has everything needed for the whole family to dress up.

Professional photography plans are available as well, and a photographer will accompany you through town, saving your memories of Kawagoe in beautiful photos. For only 500 yen, you can also experience a Japanese tea ceremony!

Near Kawagoe’s famed Bell Tower (“Toki no Kame”) is Kakejiku-To-Gakubuchi Fukazen. This magnificent building was constructed in 1890, and the shop itself was founded 240 years ago. Fukazen sells hanging scrolls, picture frames, Japanese paintings, oil paintings, and lithographs. Selecting from the wide variety of picture frames, you can order your favorite.

The store also features a classically-styled Japanese-style room, perfect for photos, and the building’s large black pillars and zelkova ceiling beams are also worth seeing. The shop holds a traditional beauty befitting the items for sale.

Haruri Kinumo, found in a remodeled house that has stood for 100 years, is a select shop where you can find accessories, fair trade and organic products, as well as handmade clothing. There are a lot of simple but unique products, and just looking at them will make you smile.

Haruri Kinumo blends naturally with the calm Kawagoe streets, and the narrow cobblestone path in front will only add to your time-stopping visit to the shop.

Extending from Kawagoe Station, the Claire Mall shopping street is much beloved by local residents and Amuseland Monaco Kawagoe is the biggest game center in the arcade. In addition to the latest video game machines, there are a variety of amusement machines to satisfy game enthusiasts including card and music game machines.

Sticker printing machines and crane games are also fun ways to make memories while sightseeing in Kawagoe.

Midoriya is a recycle store founded in Kawagoe over 40 years ago. There are three locations in Kawagoe alone, including the “Midoriya Head Office” branch, and one more in Ginza. Using the motto “Brand products at a reasonable price,” they sell second-hand brand bags, watches, wallets, and jewelry.

The main branch sells only items that have been rigorously assessed by connoisseurs and popular items move quickly. It’s a must-stop shop when visiting Kawagoe.

In town where the atmosphere of the Edo period lives on, it is estimated that more than 6.5 million people from all over the country visit Kawagoe every year. Close to Tokyo (only 90 minutes by car or train), “Koedo” is both popular and easy to get to. In addition to scenic streets, Kawagoe is also home to the “Toki no Kane” bell tower, which has been selected as one of the “100 Best Soundscapes of Japan,” and Kashiya Yokocho (“Candy Alley”) with its numerous candy shops is definitely worth visiting too.

Written by: Yoko. English translation by Gabriel Wilkinson. Main image: Kasama S / Shutterstock.com