Seasonal Kawagoe Day Tour: Strawberry Picking, Little Edo Exploration & Kita-in Temple Visit | From Tokyo/Ueno

Dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, this shrine is a surprisingly tranquil sanctuary nestled within bustling Tokyo. As one of the city's most significant and popular shrines, its expansive forest offers a peaceful escape from the urban clamor. A stroll through its grounds reveals a solemn and serene atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination to experience both Japanese history and nature.

Enjoy 30 minutes of delightful strawberry picking! Indulge in unlimited tasting of sweet strawberries, cultivated with special fertilizers and meticulous care by the farm owner. What's more, you'll get to sample three precious 'premium strawberries' – perhaps the rare white 'Tenshi no Mi' (Angel Fruit), the dark 'Shinku no Misuzu', or the Saitama-exclusive 'Amarin' – unique varieties seldom found in markets! (Note: The specific premium varieties for tasting depend on daily availability and cannot be selected.)

Experience the fun of hands-on dessert making! Choose your most tempting strawberry and wrap it in mochi dough to create your very own unique 'Strawberry Daifuku'. There's nothing quite like the taste of one you made yourself! You can also try your hand at making a creative strawberry pizza for even more strawberry-filled fun.

Known affectionately as 'Kawagoe Daishi', Kita-in Temple stands as a core cultural heritage site cherished by Kawagoe City. With a history stretching back approximately 1,200 years, this ancient temple is renowned not only for its New Year Daruma Market (Daruma-ichi) and spring cherry blossoms but also for housing numerous nationally designated Important Cultural Properties.

Explore the temple grounds to discover precious structures with deep ties to the Edo Shogunate, including rooms relocated from Edo Castle, such as the reception hall believed to be part of Tokugawa Iemitsu's birth chamber, and Lady Kasuga's (Iemitsu's wet nurse) private quarters. Kita-in serves not only as a historical testament but also as a vital place to experience Kawagoe's profound cultural heritage.

Stepping onto Kawagoe Ichibangai feels like traveling back in time to the Edo period. This street perfectly preserves rows of traditional warehouse-style buildings known as 'Kurazukuri'. Built mainly during the Meiji era, these imposing structures with their heavy tiled roofs exude a profound historical atmosphere.

Wander along this character-filled street to experience firsthand the nostalgic ambiance spanning the Edo to Meiji periods and feel the unique charm of Kawagoe, fondly known as 'Little Edo'. It's not just a perfect spot for photos, but also the gateway to delving deeper into Kawagoe's rich history and style.