- Complete Guide to Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten: In-Depth Exploration of Its History, Architecture, and Interior
- Explore Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten with this complete guide covering its rich history, refined architecture, and preserved interiors.
Everything You Need to Know About How to Get to Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace
Looking for the best way to reach Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace?
This article provides detailed directions from Kawagoe Station to the Honmaru Palace by car, bus, and on foot.
What you’ll learn from this article:
- Locations and access to free parking lots
- How to choose between the three available bus routes and their fares
- The shortest walking route and a sightseeing route
- Estimated travel times and benefits of each method
Choose the best access option to match your travel style.
Getting There by Car
If you’re driving, there’s a free parking lot located right in front of the Honmaru Palace.
It’s easily accessible right after you enter Hatsu-Kari Castle Street from National Route 254.
For visitors coming from afar, it’s smooth to exit the Kan-Etsu Expressway at Kawagoe IC and follow National Route 16 to National Route 254.
Getting There by Train
If you’re traveling by train, you can walk or take a bus from there.
Get off at Kawagoe Station on the Tobu Tojo Line
From Kawagoe Station, you can take a bus or walk.
By Bus
There are several bus options available: the Koedo Sightseeing Loop Bus, the Koedo Circulation Bus, and the local route bus Kawagoe 06 Line.
Koedo Sightseeing Loop Bus
The Koedo Sightseeing Loop Bus is a tourist bus that efficiently connects major attractions within Kawagoe City.
It stops at popular sites such as the Kurazukuri old warehouse district, the Toki no Kane bell tower, Hikawa Shrine, and Kitain Temple. The retro-style buses match the “Little Edo” atmosphere of Kawagoe and feature interiors different from regular buses.
You can board the Koedo Sightseeing Loop Bus at Platform 3 (T1) on the first floor of the East Exit bus terminal at Kawagoe Station.
Get off at T7 Hakubutsukan-mae (Museum Front), about a 20-minute ride.
Although the bus stop says “Museum,” the Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace is located right in front of the Kawagoe City Museum and Art Museum, making it a very convenient drop-off point.
You can check the schedule and route map in the Tobu Bus pamphlet below:
Koedo Sightseeing Loop Bus Pamphlet [PDF] (Japanese)
Note: The pamphlet is updated as of April 1, 2025. Departure times from T1 are from the East Exit Platform 3 at Kawagoe Station.
The fare from Kawagoe Station to Hakubutsukan-mae is 210 yen. If you plan to take the bus more than twice, it’s cheaper to get a 1-Day Pass (400 yen) for unlimited rides on the Koedo Sightseeing Loop Bus and Tobu’s regular buses.
Koedo Circulation Bus
Koedo Circulation Bus is another tourist bus that efficiently connects Kawagoe’s historic districts and popular attractions. The retro-designed bus departs from the West Exit of Kawagoe Station, linking key sites like the Kurazukuri district, Kitain Temple, Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace, and Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley).
The fare is 220 yen per ride, and a 1-Day Pass costs 600 yen for unlimited rides—a convenient option for sightseeing.
Board the bus from Platform 2 at the West Exit bus terminal of Kawagoe Station.
There are two routes, “C01” and “C02,” but C01 is the one you should take.
Get off at E9 Hakubutsukan・Bijutsukan-mae (Museum and Art Museum Front).
This bus also stops right in front of the Honmaru Palace.
The ride takes about 20 minutes.
The Most Reliable Option: Local Route Bus
The tourist buses mentioned above do not operate frequently.
Thus, if you arrive at Kawagoe Station without planning around the bus schedule, you might have to wait a long time for the next bus.
The most reliable option with frequent service is the local Tobu Bus Kawagoe 06 Line.
Board the bus at Platform 7 of the East Exit bus terminal at Kawagoe Station.
Although the destination signs vary (e.g., bound for “Ageo Station West Exit,” “Saitama Medical University General Medical Center,” “Tachibana Shrine Front,” “Kawagoe Sports Park”), any Kawagoe 06 Line bus stopping at Platform 7 will get you close to the Honmaru Palace.
- Ageo Station West Exit
- Saitama Medical University General Medical Center
- Tachibana Shrine Front
- Kawagoe Sports Park
Get off at Kawagoe City Hall Front.
The ride takes about 10 minutes, and the fare is 190 yen.
Since it’s a regular route bus, it doesn’t stop at sightseeing spots, making it the fastest option among the buses introduced here.
Check the timetable on the official Tobu Bus website:
From Kawagoe City Hall, it’s a straightforward walk to the Honmaru Palace—no need to worry about getting lost.
The walk from Kawagoe City Hall to the Honmaru Palace takes about 10 minutes.
You’ll pass by the Nakanomon Moat Ruins along the way, so be sure to stop by before reaching the Honmaru Palace.
Getting There on Foot
Walking from Kawagoe Station to the Honmaru Palace takes about 40 minutes via the shortest route.
However, this route does not pass any tourist attractions and mainly follows local residential streets.
For a more enjoyable walk, we recommend a slightly longer route that includes sightseeing in the Koedo area.
Route: Kawagoe Station → Crea Mall (Shopping Street) → Kurazukuri District (Edo-Style Townscape) → Honmaru Palace
Without any detours, this walk takes about 45 minutes and allows you to enjoy sightseeing along the way.
When in Doubt, Visit the Tourist Information Center!
If you’re unsure about the best route to the Honmaru Palace—or any sightseeing spots—visit the Tourist Information Center at Kawagoe Station. The staff are very friendly and helpful.
Handy Kawagoe Tourist Maps
Lastly, here are some useful maps for sightseeing in Kawagoe.
The Kawagoe Walking Map is also available at the tourist information centers and helps you get an overview of the main tourist sites.
Kawagoe Station Bus Terminal Map [PDF]
Since Kawagoe Station has bus terminals at both the East and West Exits, it’s easy to get confused. Carrying this map will help you find the right bus stop without hassle.
Experience Edo Period History at Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace
Once you’ve figured out how to get there, it’s time to explore the historic interior of the Honmaru Palace.
As the only remaining Honmaru Palace in the Kanto region, it offers a glimpse into the living quarters of feudal lords during the Edo period. Particularly noteworthy is the recreated office of the chief retainer, providing an authentic sense of samurai daily life.
Since the Honmaru Palace is adjacent to the Kawagoe City Museum and Art Museum, visiting these together will deepen your understanding of Kawagoe’s history. The museum offers detailed exhibits on the history of Kawagoe Castle and the cultural heritage of Koedo Kawagoe—highly recommended before or after your palace visit.
Additionally, historical sites like the Nakanomon Moat Ruins and Miyoshino Shrine are within walking distance. If you have extra time, visiting these spots will enrich your historical experience of Kawagoe Castle.
Basic Information: Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM)
- Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), the 4th Friday of each month (except holidays), and year-end/New Year holidays
- Admission Fee: 100 yen for adults, 50 yen for university and high school students, free for junior high school students and younger
- Address: 2-13-1, Kuruwa-machi, Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture
Use the access options introduced in this article and enjoy a historic experience at Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace!
