When I originally planned my trip to Kawagoe, I only intended to visit Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, Kawagoe Kumano Shrine, Kitain Temple, and the Kurazukuri streets to take in the nostalgic atmosphere of “Little Edo.” It wasn't until after I had finalized my itinerary that I unexpectedly discovered my visit would coincide with the annual Kawagoe Festival. Curious and excited, I decided to change the order of my original itinerary and experience this major local event in person.
As it turned out, this last-minute change was definitely worthwhile. Although I couldn't stay until night to fully enjoy the lively festival, everything from the morning preparations and the gradually growing festive atmosphere in the streets to the ornate floats beginning their procession left a deep impression on me. It added an unexpected and unforgettable memory to what had originally been a trip focused on exploring Little Edo.
