- Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace Access Guide: By Car, Bus, and Walking
- Learn how to get to Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace by car, bus, or walking. Includes parking details, bus routes, timetables, and step-by-step directions from Kawagoe Station.
Double the Fun! Key Highlights at Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace
Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace is a rare surviving honmaru palace building in the Kanto region. Selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles, it preserves the history and culture of Kawagoe Castle and offers many highlights even first-time visitors can enjoy. In this article, we’ll introduce essential information and must-see points to make your visit more rewarding.
History of Kawagoe Castle and the Honmaru Palace
Kawagoe Castle was constructed in 1457 under the orders of Uesugi Mochitomo by the father-son duo Ota Doshin and Dokan. During the Sengoku period, it came under the control of the Hojo clan, and in the Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu appointed Sakai Tadakatsu as the castle lord, making it a significant historical site.
The current Honmaru Palace was rebuilt in 1848 by then-castle lord Matsudaira Naritsune. After the Meiji Restoration, many castle structures were dismantled, but parts of the Honmaru Palace survived by being repurposed as a prefectural office, public hall, and martial arts gymnasium, preserving it to this day.
Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace Basic Information
- Business hours
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Last admission 4:30 pm)
- Regular holiday
- Mondays (the following day if a holiday), New Year holidays (December 29 – January 3), and the fourth Friday of each month (except holidays, for maintenance)
- Telephone number
- +081-49-222-5399
- Official site
- https://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/museum/honmaru/1011573.html
- Parking
- Free parking available
- Address
- 2 - 13 - 1 Kuruwamachi, Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adults | 100 yen |
| University & High School Students | 50 yen |
For detailed directions to Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace, click below.
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Only Two in Japan! Extremely Rare Surviving Honmaru Palaces
Only two honmaru palace structures survive in Japan today—Kawagoe Castle and Kochi Castle. Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace, being the only surviving honmaru palace in Eastern Japan, is designated a valuable cultural property. Once used to host the Shogun, it retains an air of prestige. Although only part of it remains, the designs seen in the halls and entrance evoke the dignity and grandeur of the past.
Find the Heart Patterns! The Secret of the Decorative Nail Covers
Look closely at the pillars and beams of the Honmaru Palace, and you’ll notice decorative fittings called “kugi-gakushi” (nail covers). They cover the heads of nails, combining functionality and beauty.
The nail covers at Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace are designed to resemble leaves, with a space in the center that appears heart-shaped. This design wasn’t intentionally created to look like a heart but resulted from faithfully depicting the shape of a leaf.
Made from copper or iron, these decorated fittings also symbolized status and craftsmanship. Especially in official buildings like the Honmaru Palace, fine craftwork was showcased even in the smallest details.
Inside, you’ll find displays of original nail covers, offering a close-up view of the exceptional metalworking skills of the era. Each has subtle differences in shape and size, making it interesting to compare them as you walk through the palace.
The Elders’ Dilemma?! Witness Real Historical Debates
One part of the Honmaru Palace reconstructs the Elders’ Chamber. It was where senior retainers performed administrative duties and made crucial political decisions.
The exhibit recreates a scene where the elders discuss defending Edo Bay following the arrival of foreign ships (the Black Ships), capturing the tense atmosphere of the late Edo period with life-sized mannequins.
The discussions included the construction of the Shinagawa Daiba, a cannon fort that was the forerunner of today’s Odaiba. Kawagoe Domain also contributed to the defense efforts. Panels explaining the duties and missions of the elders provide deeper insights into Kawagoe Domain’s role in the late Edo period.
Experience Edo’s Daily Life! Toilet Culture in the Palace
The palace also features a reproduction of an Edo-period toilet. Although simple in structure compared to modern toilets, it showcases thoughtful design.
The wooden urinals had cedar leaves at the bottom for deodorization and to prevent dirt buildup. Wooden frames were installed to hold up kimono hems, reflecting Edo-period clothing culture.
Separate facilities for men and women show a concern for hygiene and class differences within the palace. The display highlights how some basic toilet structures remain unchanged, offering visitors a sense of cultural continuity.
These exhibits provide a valuable glimpse into the daily lives of people during the Edo period.
Ingenious Craftsmanship! The Mechanism Behind the Storm Shutters
The palace’s windows feature a unique wooden mechanism to secure storm shutters using T-shaped wooden bars. By sliding the bar horizontally and inserting it into holes in the window frame, the shutters are firmly secured.
This method prevented the shutters from rattling in strong winds and provided extra security, all without using metal parts—demonstrating the high level of craftsmanship of the time.
Edo-period palace architecture combined formality with defensive functionality, and this shutter mechanism is a prime example. Even today, its functional beauty speaks to traditional Japanese architectural ingenuity.
From Grand Hall to Gymnasium?! The Ceiling’s Silent Story
After the Meiji period, Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace served various purposes. Post-war, it even functioned as an indoor sports hall.
Marks left by volleyballs can still be seen on the ceiling of the Great Hall. The wooden ceiling bears blackened spots and dents, revealing how the historical building once intertwined with citizens’ everyday lives.
A space once reserved for prestigious ceremonies adapted to new roles over time, offering an important example of balancing cultural preservation and practical use. Be sure to look up when you visit—the ceiling holds fascinating traces of this unexpected history.
Embark on a Journey of Discovery at Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace!
Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace offers an elegant space that exudes historical prestige. Every step reveals new discoveries, from master craftsmanship to traces of key historical events.
The more you explore, the deeper its charm grows.
Now that you know what to look for, your walk through the Honmaru Palace will be even more enjoyable! Step into this historical site and immerse yourself in the profound stories of Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace.
