A day in Saitama surrounded by traditional architecture and ukiyo-e

Saitama | 6.5h

A Day Surrounded by Traditional Architecture and Ukiyo-e

0.0/5.0

Explore Kawaguchi in the outskirts of Tokyo!

On this tour you will visit the outskirts of the capital city, in search of beautiful traditional Japanese architecture and woodblock prints; ukiyo-e. Discover the magical work of the master of ukiyo-e, Kawanabe Kyosai, at his Memorial Museum, and visit the unique old townhouses of Kawaguchi. You will notice that the townhouses have a mixture of Japanese and Western architectural styles. One of the old houses has been renovated and is now used as a coffee shop. Sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee in this town where time seems to move slowly. The locations on this tour can be quite hard to find alone, but that is why we have set up this special tour so that you can enjoy authentic Japan!

Live like a local

Highlights

・Kawanabe Kyosai's work is famously used in tattoos, and at his Memorial Museum, you can see his sketches that were found in the house in which he was born.
・Visit a magnificent house that was built 100 years ago. The man who had the house built had a lot of money and made sure it was built using great materials by some of the best carpenters. The building still leaves visitors in awe today.
・Enjoy a break at one of the old renovated houses. Locals gather here today to catch up over a cup of coffee in a beautiful coffee shop.
・Due to the area being quite far out, there is only one bus per hour that runs to Kawaguchi. It is quite a hard place to get to even for those who speak Japanese, but you will have no difficulties finding this place with your otomo tour guide!

Attractions

・Kawanabe Kyosai Memorial Museum: Visit this cozy museum filled with the work of the master ukiyo-e artist, famous worldwide; Kawanabe Kyosai.
・Heigoro Merchant House: Visit this wonderful building with a mix of Japanese and Western architectural styles. Once used as a casting wholesaler, this building is now used as a welfare center that only locals know of.
・Former Tanaka House: Built roughly 100 years ago, this enormous house shows off its magnificent architecture and is a wonderful place to visit.
・Senkiya (KAWAGUCHI SHINMACHI): Explore all the shops and spaces in this complex and enjoy a cup of coffee in a beautiful coffee shop.

Notes

・Please come in comfortable clothing, as this tour involves a lot of walking.
・The tour begins and ends in different locations. If you would like to change the location of where the tour ends, please consult with your tour guide.
・We have not included any particular lunch/dinner places in this tour, but you are welcome to stop for a break and eat whenever and wherever you like.

Expenses Not Included

The following expenses are not included in the tour fee. Please bring extra money to experience this tour to its fullest.
-Travel expenses and entrance fees (about JPY 2,000)
-Money for food, souvenirs and extra activities not mentioned in the explanation of the tour above.

Meeting Point

Outside the ticket gates at the JR Line, Nishi-Kawaguchi Station

Related Plans

Back