Saitama in Half a Day: Kitain Temple — Guide Seizo
September, 2026
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Tour Itinerary
- 11:50 Meet up＠Tobu Tojo Line Kawagoe Station
- 12:20 Kitain Temple
- 13:30 Toki no Kane (Bell of Time)
- 13:40 Lunch＠Chikacho Fish Shop
- 14:30 Kawagoe Matsuri Museum
- 15:20 Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley)
- 15:40 Kura no Machi Ichibangai
- 16:05 Dismissal＠Kura no Machi Ichibangai
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at ＠Tobu Tojo Line Kawagoe Station at 11:50, the group explored Saitama until the tour ended at 16:05. The day ran to 4 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch＠Chikacho Fish Shop at 13:40.
The itinerary covered Kitain Temple at 12:20, Toki no Kane (Bell of Time) at 13:30, Kawagoe Matsuri Museum at 14:30, Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley) at 15:20 and Kura no Machi Ichibangai at 15:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kawagoe Station West Exit／Eagle Bus to Kitain Temple／Eagle Bus by bus (220JPY); Kitain Temple／Eagle Bus to Museum・Art Museum Front／Eagle Bus by bus (220JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 440JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Kawagoe (Little Edo) Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the second time. After sightseeing in Tokyo and Kawagoe, they planned to travel to Karuizawa, Kamakura, and Osaka. At Kita-in Temple, they listened with great interest to explanations about the differences between temples and shrines, as well as stories related to Tokugawa Iemitsu and Kasuga no Tsubone. At the Kawagoe Festival Museum, they enjoyed viewing the large festival float on display and the video footage about the Kawagoe Festival. On Candy Alley (Kashiya Yokocho), they purchased sweet potato confections, a local specialty of Kawagoe. At the Toki no Kane (Bell of Time) and the warehouse district of Ichibangai, they enjoyed strolling through the old streetscape known as "Little Edo." After the tour, since they had reserved an eel restaurant in Kawagoe for dinner, we parted ways at the Ichibangai warehouse district. As I was able to respond to the guests' wishes as requested, I believe they were satisfied. A notable stop on the tour was Kita-in Temple in Kawagoe. Kita-in is a historic Buddhist temple with deep ties to the Tokugawa shogunate, and it is especially famous for its buildings that were relocated from Edo Castle, making them the only surviving structures from the original castle. The temple grounds also feature the Gohyaku Rakan, a collection of over 500 stone statues of Buddhist disciples, each with a unique facial expression and pose.
Click here for more details: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Kawagoe Station West Exit／Eagle Bus～Kitain Temple／Eagle Bus | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Kitain Temple／Eagle Bus～Museum・Art Museum Front／Eagle Bus | 220JPY |
| Total | 440JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Saitama tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at ＠Tobu Tojo Line Kawagoe Station at 11:50, and the tour finished at ＠Kura no Machi Ichibangai at 16:05.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 15 minutes in total, from 11:50 to 16:05.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Kitain Temple, Toki no Kane (Bell of Time), Kawagoe Matsuri Museum, Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley) and Kura no Machi Ichibangai.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 440JPY per person across 2 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Seizo is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Saitama itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
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Tokio in de zon
Seizo Kaminto is een uitstekende gids. De metro van Tokio is een doolhof en zonder hem zou ik een hoop tijd verloren hebben, we bezochten de highlights en Seizo wist overal wat te vertellen. Het tempo lag wel hoog en het was warm maar Seizo wist ook waar we een frisse pint konden drinken. Kortom ik ben zeer tevreden.
太陽の下の東京
Seizo Kamintoさんは素晴らしいガイドです。東京の地下鉄は迷路のようですが、彼がいなければ多くの時間を無駄にしていたと思います。私たちは見どころを巡り、Seizoさんはどこでもいろいろと説明してくれました。ペースはやや速く、暑さもありましたが、Seizoさんは冷たいビールを飲める場所も知っていました。
要するに、とても満足しています。