Background

Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum: A Glimpse into Edo-Era Commerce

Explore Kawagoe's well-preserved merchant history in a traditional fire-resistant warehouse, showcasing Edo-era architecture and commerce.

4.1

The Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum offers a fascinating look into the architecture and merchant life of the Edo and Meiji periods. Housed in a preserved 19th-century warehouse, it showcases the fire-resistant building techniques unique to Kawagoe, a city once vital to supplying Edo (present-day Tokyo). Note that the museum is currently undergoing renovations.

A brief summary to Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum

Local tips

  • Check the Kawagoe City website for updates on the museum's renovation status and any potential reopening dates.
  • Visit on a weekday to avoid the larger crowds that gather on weekends.
  • Combine your visit with a stroll through Candy Alley (Kashiya Yokocho) for a taste of traditional Japanese sweets.
  • Listen for the Toki no Kane (Bell Tower) chime, which rings at 6:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00.
  • Consider purchasing a Kawagoe Discount Pass from Tobu Railways for cost savings on transportation from Tokyo.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Walking

    From Hon-Kawagoe Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line), the Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum is approximately a 10-15 minute walk. Exit the station and head north towards the main street. The museum is located along the Kurazukuri Street. Look for the traditional warehouse-style buildings. Note that the museum is located on a famous shopping street.

  • Public Transport

    From Kawagoe Station (JR Kawagoe Line or Tobu Tojo Line), take the Tobu bus from the east exit to the Ichibangai Bus Stop. The museum is a 1-minute walk from the bus stop. The Tobu Koedo Loop Bus and the Co-Edo Loop Bus also serve the area. A single trip on the Co-Edo Loop Bus costs 220 yen, and a day pass is 600 yen (400 yen on the 8th, 18th, and 28th of each month).

  • Taxi

    Taxis are available from both Kawagoe Station and Hon-Kawagoe Station. A short taxi ride from either station to the Kurazukuri district will cost approximately 700-1000 yen, depending on traffic.

Unlock the Best of Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum

Step back in time at the Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum, nestled in the heart of Kawagoe's historic warehouse district. This museum provides a tangible link to Kawagoe's prosperous past as a key commercial hub during the Edo period (1603-1867). Known as "Little Edo" for its resemblance to the capital, Kawagoe flourished by supplying goods to the expanding city of Edo. The museum itself is housed in a *kurazukuri*, a traditional clay-walled warehouse-style building. These structures were developed with fireproof architecture to protect valuable merchandise from frequent fires. The museum building was constructed by Koyama Bunzo, a tobacco wholesaler, after the devastating fire of 1893. The design was based on the few *kurazukuri* houses that survived the fire, as well as merchant houses in the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo. Inside, visitors can explore the interior of a *kurazukuri* building and experience the atmosphere of the Meiji era (1868-1912). Exhibits detail the construction techniques used to create these fire-resistant warehouses, as well as the lives of the merchants who lived and worked in them. You'll find maps of the fires that plagued the city, merchant association posters, and explanations of firefighting methods. While exploring the Kurazukuri district, be sure to listen for the Toki no Kane (Bell Tower), a symbol of Kawagoe that chimes four times a day. Also nearby is Candy Alley (Kashiya Yokocho), a charming street filled with shops selling traditional Japanese sweets. **Please note:** As of July 2025, the Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum is undergoing earthquake-proofing renovations and is currently closed to the public. However, some areas may be open for free, and it's still worth visiting the district to admire the architecture from the outside.

Popular Experiences near Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum

Popular Hotels near Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum

Select Currency