Kawagoe Castle was once the administrative seat of the Kawagoe domain. This guide answers the practical questions visitors usually have — walk or bus? What if I’m driving? — with a detailed breakdown of how to get there, plus opening hours, admission fees, and nearby spots worth a visit.
About Kawagoe Castle
Kawagoe Castle was built in 1457 on the orders of Ogigayatsu Uesugi Mochitomo, constructed by the father-and-son team Ota Doshin and Ota Dokan. The Honmaru Goten (main palace hall), which is open to the public today, was built in 1848 by then-daimyo Matsudaira Naritsune. Its entrance and reception hall, along with a reconstructed karo (chief retainer’s) office, still stand and are registered as a Saitama Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property.
Getting to Kawagoe Castle
Fastest route: bus + short walk
If you want to get to Kawagoe Castle quickly, the best option is a combination of bus and walking.
Walking the whole way from Honkawagoe Station takes about 26 minutes — a fair distance. Instead, take the Kawagoe Line 02 bus bound for Yawata Danchi from Honkawagoe Station, get off at Fudanotsuji, then head east along Hondori street to reach the castle. This route takes about 19 minutes total.
| Route | Travel time |
|---|---|
| Walking only from Honkawagoe Station | About 26 minutes |
| Bus (Yawata Danchi-bound, alight at Fudanotsuji) + walk | About 19 minutes |
Sightseeing route: on foot
If you’d rather explore Kawagoe on the way, walking is the way to go. It’s a bit more roundabout than the bus route, but it lets you take in the town’s iconic warehouse-style street (kurazukuri) along the main street before heading east on Hondori to reach the castle.
Parking
If you’re driving to Kawagoe Castle, use the dedicated parking lot shared by the Kawagoe City Art Museum, City Museum, and Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten.
When you enter the lot, staff will ask where you’re headed. Tell them you’re visiting Kawagoe Castle, and they’ll hand you a slip of paper — be sure to take it. Submit that slip at the castle’s reception desk and your parking becomes free.
Opening Hours & Admission
Here’s the basic visitor information for Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-13-1 Kuruwa-machi, Kawagoe City, Saitama |
| Hours | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM) |
| Closed | Mondays (following day if a holiday), New Year holidays, 4th Friday of the month (facility maintenance, except holidays) |
| Admission (adult) | ¥100 |
| Admission (university/high school student) | ¥50 |
| Group rate (20+) | ¥80 adult, ¥40 university/high school |
Fees and closing days are subject to change, so it’s worth checking the Kawagoe City Museum’s official information before you go.
Nearby Sights
A few easy-to-reach spots cluster around Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten:
- Kawagoe Castle Naka-no-mon Moat Ruins — about a 4-minute walk from the Honmaru Goten
- Miyoshino Shrine (Shrine of the Castle’s Tenjin) — about a 2-minute walk
- Kawagoe City Museum — about a 3-minute walk
If you have time, it’s worth combining a visit to these spots with your trip to the castle.
Summary
There are two main routes to Kawagoe Castle.
For the fastest option, take the bus bound for Yawata Danchi from Honkawagoe Station, get off at Fudanotsuji, and walk east along Hondori.
If you’d rather take your time and sightsee, walk north from Honkawagoe Station through the old townscape, then head east on Hondori.
If you’re driving, park in the dedicated lot right in front of the castle — parking is free once you’ve visited the castle itself. It’s also worth checking the opening hours and closing days ahead of time.
FAQ
Q: How long is the walk from Honkawagoe Station to Kawagoe Castle? A: About 26 minutes if you walk the whole way.
Q: Is the bus faster? A: Yes — take the bus bound for Yawata Danchi from Honkawagoe Station and get off at Fudanotsuji; including the walk from there, it takes about 19 minutes.
Q: Is parking at Kawagoe Castle paid? A: Staff will give you a slip when you enter the lot — hand it in at reception after visiting the castle and parking becomes free.
Q: What are the opening hours and admission fee for Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten? A: It’s open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM). Admission is ¥100 for adults and ¥50 for university/high school students. It’s closed Mondays, New Year holidays, and other set days.
Q: Is there a route for sightseeing on the way to the castle? A: Yes — walk north from Honkawagoe Station and take in the old townscape along the main street before heading east on Hondori.
Q: What’s near Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten? A: The Naka-no-mon Moat Ruins, Miyoshino Shrine, and Kawagoe City Museum are all within a few minutes’ walk, making them easy to combine with your visit.
Thanks for reading!
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