Kawagoe Kumano Shrine | Review by 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人

This unique Starbucks is near the Toki no Kane bell tower and is a popular photo spot you definitely shouldn't miss when visiting Kawagoe.

It perfectly blends traditional Edo-period warehouse architecture with the historic streetscape through its black-tiled roof, white walls, and wooden exterior. If you want to avoid the daytime crowds, I personally recommend going in the early evening. Not only is the atmosphere quieter, but you can also sit down and take your time enjoying your coffee. Don't miss the elegant courtyard behind the building, which has a distinctly Japanese Zen feel. It's a beautiful Starbucks with lots of local character, where you'll want to sit quietly and stay awhile.

Ogakiku is a popular restaurant in Kawagoe that often has a line. If, like me, you don't enjoy waiting in crowds, I recommend avoiding peak dining hours. Get a numbered ticket when you arrive, then leisurely explore the nearby historic streets before coming back around your scheduled time to enjoy the food.

This time, besides trying the signature classic charcoal-grilled eel rice—with lightly crisp skin, a well-balanced sweet and savory sauce, and eel that melted in my mouth—I also unexpectedly ordered the chicken rice, which turned out to be excellent. It was topped with something similar to crispy egg flakes, giving it layers of flavor and a very distinctive texture. For eel rice lovers, this is definitely a delicious option not to be missed in Kawagoe. It's especially enjoyable in the cold winter, when you can duck inside and have a bowl of eel rice filled with smoky charcoal aroma.

Walking over from the train station, you naturally come to the uniquely atmospheric Taisho Romantic Dream Street. Compared with the lively Ichibangai Street, it feels especially quiet and elegant. The short street is paved with rustic stone slabs and lined with many Western-style buildings from the Taisho and early Showa eras. Occasionally, you can even see a rickshaw passing slowly by, as if the air itself were filled with a nostalgic, old-fashioned charm.

Instead of the noise of excessive commercialization, there are cozy little specialty shops, stationery and lifestyle boutiques, and Showa-style cafés. It's a great place to slow down, take your time walking around, and fully appreciate its timeless sense of romance and tranquility.