Update-date: Jan 30 2020
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Kawagoe
Kawagoe is home to a street lined by old warehouses that retain the look of the Edo period (1603 - 1868). With such a unique atmosphere, the area has become a popular filming location for popular morning dramas and TV series. Easily accessible by a direct train from Tokyo, it’s no wonder the area sees as many as 6,000,000 visitors per year! Check out the food culture of Kawagoe, which was selected as one of the Top 100 Beautiful Historical Spots in Japan!
1. HATSUNEYA GARDEN
Famous for its atmospheric architecture and beautiful garden, it’s no surprise that HATSUNEYA was well-loved by a famous artist. Established in 1868, it’s a well-established restaurant that has even been visited by the imperial family. Rich in history, most of the building has been carefully preserved, while one section has been modernized. The restaurant serves creative French cuisine that you can enjoy while soaking up the lovely atmosphere.
This old restaurant has been designated as one of the most important scenic buildings of Kawagoe.
Enjoy dishes made with fresh ingredients from all over the world.
HATSUNEYA GARDEN
Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm) *Reservations are required for dinner, and must be made by 7:00 pm the day before.
Closed: Tuesday, Sunday
*If Sunday falls on a national holiday, Monday will be closed instead.
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY *Reservations accepted up till 7:00 pm the day before / [Lunch] 3,500 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from the Fudanotsuji bus stop (Tobu Bus line) from Kawagoe Station
Address: 1-9-8, Moto-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Map
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Closed: Tuesday, Sunday
*If Sunday falls on a national holiday, Monday will be closed instead.
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY *Reservations accepted up till 7:00 pm the day before / [Lunch] 3,500 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from the Fudanotsuji bus stop (Tobu Bus line) from Kawagoe Station
Address: 1-9-8, Moto-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Map
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2. Suki-tei Yoshitora
Established in 1877, Suki-tei Yoshitora is a restaurant that seeks new flavors while maintaining traditional tastes. Their [Sukiyaki] (hot pot stew) has been widely loved since the restaurant started. The combination of the sweet sauce and high-quality meat is superb! It’s the perfect place for special occasions, or for those times when you want something more luxurious. Enjoy top-quality food in a space that’s full of history.
The building, which was erected in the Meiji era, retains a sense of history.
Their [Beef Tongue Cooked in Red Wine] is a delicacy that melts in your mouth.
Suki-tei Yoshitora
Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:30 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm) *There are idle hours. Last entry is at 8:00 pm.
Closed: Monday
*If it falls on a national holiday, Tuesday will be closed instead. Closed from December 29 - January 4.
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: Exit Hon-Kawagoe Station and head towards the Fudanotsuji intersection along Chuo Street. Turn right, and you'll find the restaurant on the right side of the city hall.
Address: 1-9-3, Moto-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Map
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Closed: Monday
*If it falls on a national holiday, Tuesday will be closed instead. Closed from December 29 - January 4.
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: Exit Hon-Kawagoe Station and head towards the Fudanotsuji intersection along Chuo Street. Turn right, and you'll find the restaurant on the right side of the city hall.
Address: 1-9-3, Moto-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Map
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3. Cafe Torocco
Cafe Torocco's sturdy building, with its magnificent hip-and-gable roof (irimoya-zukuri), was built in 1893. It was used as the set for Amatama-do, which was the home of the heroine in a TV drama called "Tsubasa". It’s a restaurant and pottery store, so you can enjoy their famous sweet potato dishes before picking out a souvenir.
As the name suggests, their [Sweet Potato Mini Kaiseki] showcases the sweet potatoes that Kawagoe is known for.
The [COEDO] beer that's brewed in Kawagoe is also gaining recognition overseas.
Cafe Torocco
Open: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Lunch 11:45 am - 3:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
*Open even during the beginning and end of the year
Average price: [Dinner] 500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,900 JPY *Try their mini sweet potato Kaiseki (traditional Japanese course cuisine with tea)!
Access: Exit Hon-Kawagoe Station and turn left. Walk straight until the Toki no Kane Iriguchi intersection. It is inside the Fine china store Yamawa that's to the left of the intersection.
Address: 7-1, Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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Closed: Irregular
*Open even during the beginning and end of the year
Average price: [Dinner] 500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,900 JPY *Try their mini sweet potato Kaiseki (traditional Japanese course cuisine with tea)!
Access: Exit Hon-Kawagoe Station and turn left. Walk straight until the Toki no Kane Iriguchi intersection. It is inside the Fine china store Yamawa that's to the left of the intersection.
Address: 7-1, Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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4. Wayo Oshokuji-dokoro Sakae
This well-hidden restaurant is located in a stand-alone building that was completed in 1924. Wayo Oshokuji-dokoro Sakae is a 5-minute walk from Kitain Temple, one of many popular sightseeing spots in Kawagoe. The wooden building is filled with history, and the tall pine tree growing right by the front entrance gives it even more of a peaceful, secluded atmosphere.
The slow-cooked [Beef Stew] is so tender that it will melt in your mouth!
This is the pendulum clock that commemorates the completion of the building, slowly ticking the days away.
Wayo Oshokuji-dokoro Sakae
Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm) *Reservations must be made by 3:00 pm of the same day
[Beginning and End of the Year] 11:00 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) *Closed from December 29 - January 2
Closed: Monday
*Except on the 29th of every month, which is when the restaurant is open for lunch!
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY *Reservations must be made by 2:00 pm of the same day / [Lunch] 1,620 JPY *Choose from the lunch menu, which has 5 dishes with varying prices.
Access: Head towards Kitain Temple from one of the many nearby train stations. 5-minute walk from Kitain Temple Kita-Sando.
Address: 1-14, Nishi Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Map
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[Beginning and End of the Year] 11:00 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) *Closed from December 29 - January 2
Closed: Monday
*Except on the 29th of every month, which is when the restaurant is open for lunch!
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY *Reservations must be made by 2:00 pm of the same day / [Lunch] 1,620 JPY *Choose from the lunch menu, which has 5 dishes with varying prices.
Access: Head towards Kitain Temple from one of the many nearby train stations. 5-minute walk from Kitain Temple Kita-Sando.
Address: 1-14, Nishi Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Map
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5. Modern-tei Taiyoken
Built in the early Showa period (1926 - 1989), Modern-tei Taiyoken is a designated National Cultural Property where you can enjoy Western-style cuisine in a Western-style building. The painted walls and stained glass windows are impressively stylish. A must-eat is their original West-East fusion Kaiseki cuisine (traditional Japanese banquet cuisine with alcohol), which is perfect for those days when you want to have a little bit of everything!
The gorgeous stained glass windows and retro interior remain as they were in 1929, when the building was first completed.
The yoshoku (Western-influenced Japanese cuisine) set menus are a nostalgic return to the Taisho era (1912 - 1926).
Modern-tei Taiyoken
Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Closed: Monday
*Open if it falls on a national holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY (plus tax) *Varies depending on the course / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: Exit Hon-Kawagoe Station and head towards the entrance of Toki no Kane. Take the first left turn at the entrance. Head straight for 20m and then take the first right turn. The restaurant will be to your left.
Address: 1-1-23, Moto-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Map
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Closed: Monday
*Open if it falls on a national holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY (plus tax) *Varies depending on the course / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: Exit Hon-Kawagoe Station and head towards the entrance of Toki no Kane. Take the first left turn at the entrance. Head straight for 20m and then take the first right turn. The restaurant will be to your left.
Address: 1-1-23, Moto-machi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Map
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
