Choose old streets, exhibitions or the riverside
Choose Kawagoe for old buildings and street scenery. Omiya has real vehicles at the Railway Museum plus bonsai and manga displays. For shrine buildings and festival floats, combine Chichibu Shrine with the Festival Museum. For river and mountain scenery, plan Nagatoro around weather and Hodosan Ropeway services.
Attraction fees, hours and access
Kawagoe Time Bell
Toki no Kane時の鐘
Use the bell tower on Kurazukuri Street as a landmark while exploring the old streets. Pass nearby at noon or 15:00 to hear the bell. Visitors cannot enter or climb the tower.
- Bell timesThe bell rings four times daily: 06:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00. Nearby shops have their own opening hours.
- Getting thereWalk about 15 minutes from Hon-Kawagoe Station. From Kawagoe Station, take a bus via Kuranomachi, alight at Ichibangai · 一番街 and walk about two minutes. Hon-Kawagoe · 本川越
- Planning your visitCheck Kitain’s last admission first, then walk around the bell tower before or after your temple visit. Allow for restaurant queues when planning to hear the bell.
Tourism association guidanceKawagoe City transport guidance
Kitain
Kitain Temple喜多院
Visit buildings relocated from Edo Castle and the Five Hundred Rakan stone figures, each with a different expression. Admission to the paid areas ends early. If you arrive in Kawagoe early, visit Kitain first and continue to the old streets.
- AdmissionAdmission costs 400 yen for adults or 200 yen for elementary and junior-high school students.
- HoursMarch 1–November 23: 09:00–16:30 on weekdays, until 16:50 on Sundays and public holidays. November 24–end of February: until 16:00 on weekdays and 16:20 on Sundays and public holidays. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing.
- Visiting restrictionsCheck closures on December 25–January 8, from the afternoon of February 2 through February 3, April 2–4 and additional event dates. For Saturday visits, check which operating schedule applies.
- Getting thereWalk about 15 minutes from Hon-Kawagoe Station or 20 minutes from Kawagoe Station.
- Temple gate restorationA notice updated in June 2026 schedules restoration until around September of the following year, with restricted gate access and directions on site. Follow the signposted diversion during the work.
Kitain visitor informationOfficial English guideTemple gate restoration noticeKitain’s old buildings and Five Hundred Rakan
The Railway Museum
鉄道博物館
See real vehicles, from early locomotives to Shinkansen trains, to explore how Japan’s railways developed. Make this the main visit of the day if you want plenty of time with the vehicles. Driving and other activities may have separate booking requirements or fees.
- AdmissionAdults: same-day ticket 1,600 yen; advance ticket bought by the previous day 1,500 yen. Elementary, junior-high and high-school students: 600 yen same-day or 500 yen in advance.
- HoursOpen 10:00–17:00; last admission 16:30. Normally closed Tuesdays and over New Year; check exceptions in the official calendar.
- Getting thereTake the New Shuttle from Omiya Station to Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station, then walk about one minute. Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan · 鉄道博物館
- Planning your visitCheck fees, booking methods and remaining spaces for your chosen activities separately from admission.
Museum admission pricesJune 2026 museum and transport guideRailway Museum vehicle displays
Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten
Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace川越城本丸御殿
Explore the entrance hall and the relocated and restored retainers’ waiting room at Kawagoe Castle’s surviving Honmaru Goten. This adds a castle building to your old-street visit; there is no castle tower to climb.
- AdmissionAdmission costs 100 yen for adults or 50 yen for high-school and university students; junior-high school students and younger enter free. These are individual admission prices.
- Hours and closuresOpen 09:00–17:00; last admission 16:30. Closed Mondays (the following day if Monday is a public holiday), the fourth Friday unless it is a public holiday, and December 29–January 3. Open October 22, 2026; closed October 23.
- Getting thereFrom Kawagoe or Hon-Kawagoe Station, take a Tobu Bus via Kuranomachi to Fudanotsuji · 札の辻, then walk about 10 minutes. It is about one minute from the Eagle Bus Hakubutsukan Bijutsukan-mae · 博物館・美術館前 stop or Tobu Bus/shuttle Hakubutsukan-mae · 博物館前 stop. The courses below use walking routes; bus fares cost extra.
Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guideCity Museum and Honmaru Goten 2026 opening calendar
Kawagoe City Museum
川越市立博物館
Explore Kawagoe’s history and Kurazukuri architecture in the permanent displays. The museum is near Honmaru Goten, making it convenient to visit both on one day. Check each facility’s exhibitions and closures.
- AdmissionAdmission costs 200 yen for adults or 100 yen for high-school and university students; junior-high school students and younger enter free. Buying separate admission for this museum and Honmaru Goten totals 300 yen per adult. The city’s two-facility ticket covers the museum and art museum.
- Hours and closuresOpen 09:00–17:00; last admission 16:30. Closed Mondays (the following day if Monday is a public holiday), the fourth Friday unless it is a public holiday, December 29–January 3 and during fumigation. Open October 22, 2026; closed October 23.
- Getting thereFrom Kawagoe or Hon-Kawagoe Station, take a Tobu Bus via Kuranomachi to Fudanotsuji · 札ノ辻, then walk about 10 minutes. It is about one minute from the Eagle Bus Hakubutsukan Bijutsukan-mae stop or Tobu Bus/shuttle Hakubutsukan-mae stop.
- What this visit includesThis itinerary covers the permanent displays. The sword exhibition on October 24–November 8, 2026, and separate activities are excluded.
Kawagoe City Museum fees and closuresKawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guideKawagoe City combined-ticket coverageCity Museum and Honmaru Goten 2026 opening calendarCity Museum access guideCity Museum exhibition scheduleTourism association English name for the City Museum
The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama
さいたま市大宮盆栽美術館
Look closely at the trunks and branches of pines and maples grown in small pots, in indoor displays and the garden. The entire collection is not always on display; check the programme for your visit date.
- AdmissionStandard adult admission is 310 yen. The 200-yen group rate for 20 or more people and 150-yen rate for ages 65 and over are separate from the standard adult price used in this course.
- HoursMarch–October: 09:00–16:30, last admission 16:00. November–February: 09:00–16:00, last admission 15:30. Closed Thursdays except public holidays, over New Year and on additional temporary closure dates. When combining it with the manga museum, choose a day when both are open.
- Getting thereThe officially recommended walk from Omiya Station via Hikawa Shrine, the park and Bonsai Village takes about 45 minutes. By train, it is a five-minute walk from Toro Station’s east exit or 10 minutes from Omiya-koen Station. This course uses the walking route with no extra train ride.
- Planning your visitThis itinerary covers the indoor collection and garden during the October 2–28, 2026 seasonal display. It excludes the photography exhibition starting October 24 that year and bonsai activities. For other dates, check the applicable exhibitions.
Bonsai Art Museum admission, seasonal hours and public-holiday exceptions on ThursdaysBonsai Art Museum collectionsOctober 2026 seasonal bonsai displayBonsai Art Museum admission, seasonal hours and closures2026 Bonsai Art Museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya
Saitama Municipal Manga Museum
Saitama Municipal Cartoon Art Museumさいたま市立漫画会館
Explore displays of cartoonist Kitazawa Rakuten’s work, materials and connections with other artists.
- AdmissionAdmission is free, including the 2026 Rakuten Collection II exhibition.
- HoursOpen 09:00–16:30. Closed Mondays, the next weekday after a public holiday, and over New Year; open on Mondays that are public holidays. Combine it with the Bonsai Art Museum on a day when both facilities are open.
- Getting thereWalk five minutes from Omiya-koen Station or 15 minutes from Toro Station’s east exit. From Omiya Station, walk via the park and Bonsai Village, continuing along Kaede-dori to the manga museum.
- Planning your visitRakuten Collection II runs July 25–November 3, 2026. See works by painters and cartoonists associated with Rakuten, alongside letters and magazines. Check talk and activity dates separately.
Manga Museum visits, access and closures2026 Rakuten Collection II free exhibition2026 Bonsai Art Museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya
Omiya Park
大宮公園
After the bonsai and manga museums, visit Omiya Park’s Japanese garden and enjoy the park scenery on your way back to the station.
- AdmissionThe Japanese garden is free. Boats, rides and sports facilities operate separately and are excluded from this walk.
- HoursThe park opens daily. The Japanese garden is open 08:30–17:30 with no closure days. This plan makes a short stop on the way back to the station after the bonsai and manga museums.
- Getting thereThe official walk from Omiya Station’s east exit to the park takes about 20 minutes. Use the official map to find the Japanese garden and Hakucho Pond in the south, the central open plaza and Funa-asobi Pond in the north.
- Planning your visitCheck temporary closures and operating changes separately for the small zoo. This itinerary includes only the Japanese garden and a park walk; animal viewing is excluded.
Omiya Park Japanese garden: hours and free admissionOmiya Park daily openingOmiya Park access from stationsOfficial park map: Japanese garden and pondsNotice of suspended zoo website updatesSmall zoo temporary closure for interrupted water supply
Chichibu Shrine
秩父神社
See Chichibu’s shrine buildings and carvings, then continue to the nearby festival displays. Ordinary worship, prayer services and shrine items have separate conditions.
- Shrine gate hoursThe tourism authority lists 05:00–20:00, opening from 06:00 in winter. Events and access restrictions may affect your visit.
- From Chichibu StationWalk about three minutes from Chichibu Railway’s Chichibu Station. This is a different station from Seibu-Chichibu.
Saitama tourism authority’s Chichibu Shrine gate hoursChichibu Shrine official access guide
Chichibu Festival Museum
Chichibu Festival Hall秩父まつり会館
Explore Chichibu’s festival culture through floats, materials and videos recreating the festival. These displays are separate from the actual festival. Check your visit date for live demonstration programmes.
- Standard admissionStandard adult admission is 500 yen.
- Hours and closuresApril–November: 09:00–17:00; December–March: 10:00–17:00; last admission 16:30. Closed the fourth and fifth Tuesdays in March–November, Tuesdays in December–February, and December 29–January 1, with public-holiday and festival exceptions.
- Near the shrineVisit this exhibition hall alongside Chichibu Shrine. Its address is 2-8 Bambamachi, Chichibu.
Chichibu Festival Museum hours, closures and adult admissionSaitama tourism authority’s Chichibu Shrine gate hours
Nagatoro Iwadatami
Iwadatami岩畳
Walk beside the river to see Iwadatami’s rock formations and river scenery. This route is a riverside walk; boat and rafting reservations are excluded.
- From the stationWalk about five minutes from Nagatoro Station.
- Luggage storageTourist Information is open 09:00–17:00, with storage from 100 yen per item. It is unavailable December 29–31 or during temporary closures in bad weather. Check the fee for your bag size and whether it can be accepted.
Nagatoro Tourism Association access to IwadatamiNagatoro Tourist Information hours and luggage storage
Hodosan Ropeway
宝登山ロープウェイ
Ride Hodosan Ropeway up the mountain for views around Nagatoro. Seasonal flowers, visibility and shuttle services depend on your visit date.
- Standard adult fareAdults aged 12 and over pay 700 yen one way or 1,200 yen return.
- Basic timetable and suspensionsThe basic timetable starts at 09:40 with the last service at 17:00; it varies with season and crowds. Services are suspended December 7–26, 2026 for scheduled inspections.
- To the base stationWalk about 20 minutes from Nagatoro Station. Check separately announced dates for free shuttle services.
Hodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetableHodosan December 2026 suspension for scheduled inspectionsHodosan Ropeway walking access from Nagatoro Station
Frequently asked questions
Do the bonsai and manga museums close on the same days?
No. The Bonsai Art Museum closes Thursdays, except public holidays. The manga museum closes Mondays and the next weekday after public holidays, among other dates; it opens on Mondays that are public holidays. To visit both on one day, check each facility’s closures and temporary changes.
Bonsai Art Museum admission, seasonal hours and closuresManga Museum official visitor guide
Official sources and check dates
- Kitain visitor information ·
- Temple gate restoration notice ·
- June 2026 museum and transport guide ·
- Museum admission prices ·
- Tourism association guidance ·
- Kawagoe City transport guidance ·
- Official English guide ·
- Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten visitor guide ·
- Kawagoe City Museum fees and closures ·
- City Museum access guide ·
- City Museum and Honmaru Goten 2026 opening calendar ·
- Kawagoe City combined-ticket coverage ·
- Tourism association English name for the City Museum ·
- City Museum exhibition schedule ·
- 2026 Bonsai Art Museum guide and 45-minute walk from Omiya ·
- October 2026 seasonal bonsai display ·
- Manga Museum visits, access and closures ·
- 2026 Rakuten Collection II free exhibition ·
- Omiya Park Japanese garden: hours and free admission ·
- Omiya Park access from stations ·
- Notice of suspended zoo website updates ·
- Small zoo temporary closure for interrupted water supply ·
- Official park map: Japanese garden and ponds ·
- Bonsai Art Museum admission, seasonal hours and public-holiday exceptions on Thursdays ·
- Omiya Park daily opening ·
- Nagatoro Tourist Information hours and luggage storage ·
- Chichibu Shrine official access guide ·
- Saitama tourism authority’s Chichibu Shrine gate hours ·
- Chichibu Festival Museum hours, closures and adult admission ·
- Hodosan Ropeway fares and basic timetable ·
- Hodosan Ropeway walking access from Nagatoro Station ·
- Nagatoro Tourism Association access to Iwadatami ·
- Hodosan December 2026 suspension for scheduled inspections ·
- Bonsai Art Museum admission, seasonal hours and closures ·
- Manga Museum official visitor guide ·
- Kitain’s old buildings and Five Hundred Rakan ·
- Railway Museum vehicle displays ·
- Bonsai Art Museum collections ·