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Did You Know? The Honmaru Palace Is Surrounded by the Remains of Kawagoe Castle
When people think of Kawagoe Castle, they usually think of the Honmaru Palace. One of only two remaining Honmaru palaces in Japan—and the only one in Eastern Japan—it is undeniably the highlight of any trip to Kawagoe.
But did you know that the surrounding area is still dotted with traces of the castle’s past? Gate ruins, moats, and stone monuments silently testify to the presence of Kawagoe Castle.
This article introduces key historic sites and remains that can be explored on foot from the Honmaru Palace. Each spot includes historical context and highlights to deepen your appreciation.
We’ve also included a recommended sightseeing route to help you explore efficiently. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a first-time visitor, you’ll find this guide both enjoyable and informative.
By walking through these sites, you’ll gain a broader understanding of Kawagoe Castle and appreciate the rich history hidden in plain sight.
Historical Remains and Sites of Kawagoe Castle
Let’s start by looking at the bigger picture. Below is a map summarizing the major ruins and historic spots related to Kawagoe Castle. From palace buildings to gate and moat remnants, these traces of the past remain scattered throughout Kawagoe.
The fact that so many of these historic sites are located within walking distance from the Honmaru Palace highlights both the scale and the historical depth of Kawagoe Castle.
Let’s now take a closer look at each of these locations, their historical background, and what makes them worth visiting.
Honmaru Palace: Feel the Spirit of the Castle in the Only Remaining Palace in Eastern Japan
The Honmaru Palace is a must-see when visiting Kawagoe Castle. Only two Honmaru palaces still exist in Japan—this one in Kawagoe and the other in Kochi Castle. As the only surviving structure of its kind in Eastern Japan, this building is the centerpiece of Kawagoe Castle.
Honmaru Gate Site: Earthen Embankments and Traces of the Northern Defense Gate
Right next to the Honmaru Palace is the Honmaru Gate site.
This was once the location of the North Gate of the Honmaru. A moat and an earthen embankment separated the Honmaru from the Ninomaru, with the gate serving as the entry point.
Excavations revealed traces of the gate and embankments. Three large post holes were found that match the North Gate depicted in the historical map “Honjo Residence Layout” (held by Kosaiji Temple), identifying them as part of the gate’s remains.
Kawagoe City Museum: Learn About the Castle and Castle Town in Depth
Located just across the road (Hatsukari-jo Street) from the Honmaru Palace is the Kawagoe City Museum.
The museum offers a comprehensive exhibition of Kawagoe’s history, including the castle and the surrounding region, spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era.
Displays include materials related to the Honmaru Palace and the castle grounds, such as samurai armor and weapons. It’s an ideal place for visitors who want a deeper understanding of Kawagoe Castle and its history.
Notably, the museum stands on the former site of the Ninomaru of Kawagoe Castle.
- Business hours
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Regular holiday
- Mondays (closed the following day if Monday is a holiday)
- Fourth Friday of each month (except holidays)
- Year - end and New Year holidays (Dec 29 – Jan 3)
- Temporary closures may apply
- Telephone number
- +081-49-222-5399
- Official site
- https://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/museum/
- Parking
- Shared free parking lot with Honmaru Palace
- Address
- 2 - 30 - 1 Kuruwamachi, Kawagoe City, Saitama 350 - 0053
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General | 200 yen |
| University & High School Students | 100 yen |
| Junior High School and Under | Free |
Kirifuki Well: A Mysterious Spring That Once Shrouded the Castle in Mist
The Kirifuki Well is located within the grounds of the Kawagoe City Museum.
Legend has it that Kawagoe Castle had a magical well called “Kirifuki no Ido,” or “Mist-Spraying Well.” Normally sealed with a lid, the well would release a thick mist when uncovered during enemy attacks, hiding the entire castle from view.
Because of this story, the castle was also nicknamed “Kirikakure-jō,” or “Mist-Hidden Castle.” These kinds of tales, rooted in history and folklore, enhance the visitor experience with a sense of wonder.
Hasuike Gate Site: A Quiet Marker of a Former Outer Gate
Within the museum’s grounds, at the back of the parking lot, stands a stone monument marking the Hasuike Gate site. This gate once served as part of the outer defense of Kawagoe Castle.
No prominent remains are visible today, but this monument quietly tells of the gate’s existence. It’s worth visiting along with the Honmaru Palace and the museum.
Nakanomon Moat Ruins: The Last Remaining Moat Reflecting the Castle’s Defense
About a 6-minute walk from the Honmaru Palace along Hatsukari-jo Street toward Kawagoe City Hall brings you to the Nakanomon Moat Ruins.
This moat was built as part of the castle’s western defenses, anticipating attacks from that direction. It was one of three moats designed to slow invading enemies advancing from the western main gate (now Kawagoe City Hall area) toward the Honmaru (now Kawagoe City Museum area).
The idea was to slow the enemies as they crossed the moat, making them vulnerable to archers and gunfire. Excavations showed that the slopes of the moat walls differed: the east side (inner side) was a steep 60 degrees, while the west side (outer side) was 35 degrees. The original moat was 7 meters deep and 18 meters wide—a highly strategic and functional design.
After many of the original buildings disappeared during the Meiji era, this site became the only remaining moat within the castle grounds. Public voices calling for its preservation led Kawagoe City to restore the site between 2008 and 2009. Today, the moat serves as a preserved historical site offering insight into Edo-period military engineering.
Since the moat is located next to private residences, please visit quietly. There are benches available for rest.
Otemon Gate Site: The Castle’s Main Entrance Linking the Castle and Castle Town
The site where Kawagoe Castle’s main gate, the “Otemon,” once stood is now near the intersection in front of Kawagoe City Hall. A quiet stone monument marks the location near the main entrance of the city hall.
This was the primary entrance used in the event of a frontal enemy attack and served as the castle’s official front gate. Although no ruins remain today, this is an essential stop for understanding the castle’s structure.
Miyoshino Shrine and the Seven Mysteries of Kawagoe Castle: Legends Inside the Castle Grounds
Adjacent to the Honmaru Palace is Miyoshino Shrine, famously known as the origin of the Japanese children’s song Tōryanse. Within its grounds, you’ll find a display of the Seven Mysteries of Kawagoe Castle—a collection of strange legends tied to the castle.
These mysteries feature strange phenomena and folklore such as mist-spraying wells, vanishing moats, and soundless tatami mats. Many are documented in historical records and evoke the romanticism of ancient legends.
The Seven Mysteries of Kawagoe Castle
1.Kirifuki Well
A mossy well inside the castle was said to produce thick mist when its lid was removed during enemy attacks, covering the entire castle. Due to this tale, Kawagoe Castle was also called the “Mist-Hidden Castle.”
2.Hatsukari Cedar Tree
Every year during the migratory season, wild geese were said to circle three times and cry three times above the old cedar tree behind Miyoshino Shrine. Due to this mystery, Kawagoe Castle was also nicknamed “Hatsukari Castle.”
3.One-Leaved Reeds
In the marshland behind Ukishima Inari Shrine known as “Nanatsugama,” all the reeds were said to have only one leaf. This was believed to be caused by the sorrow of a princess who drowned while fleeing the fall of the castle.
4.Tenjin Mitarashi Spring
During the castle’s construction, Lord Ōta Dōkan struggled to find water. He was guided by an old man washing his feet at a spring, which turned out to be sacred. The old man was believed to be the deity of Miyoshino Shrine, and the spring was revered as the “Tenjin Mitarashi Spring.”
5.Human Sacrifice
When castle construction was not progressing, a dragon god appeared in Lord Ōta Dōshin’s dream and demanded the first person who visited the site be sacrificed. That person was his beloved daughter, Yoine-hime. She offered herself for the castle’s completion, and construction resumed smoothly afterward.
6.Stone Memorial for the Courtesan of Yonakawa River
A girl named Oyone fell in love with a young samurai but was divorced due to mistreatment from his mother. Hoping to reunite with him, she waited by the river until she eventually took her own life. The river was thereafter called “Yonakawa,” and people say they still hear her weeping at night.
7.Phantom Hoofbeats in the Castle
Lord Sakai Shigetada of Kawagoe Castle was disturbed nightly by the sounds of arrows and hoofbeats. A divination revealed a folding screen depicting battle was the cause. After donating one panel to a temple, the sounds ceased. Perhaps memories of war lingered within the castle itself.
Site of Kawagoe Meishinkan: The Domain School That Fostered Samurai Spirit and Education
During the Edo period, Kawagoe Castle operated a domain school called “Meishinkan” to educate the children of samurai retainers. The school once stood on the site that is now part of Kawagoe High School.
Meishinkan was founded in 1821 (Bunsei 4) and focused on Confucianism, samurai etiquette, and military strategy. It played a key role in nurturing talent for the Kawagoe Domain and holds great significance in the region’s educational history.
Today, a stone monument stands along the sidewalk in front of Kawagoe Elementary School, freely accessible to visitors. This site offers a glimpse into the academic side of Kawagoe Castle, in addition to its political and military roles.
Site of the South Otemon Gate: A Major Gateway on the Southern Side of the Castle
On the southern side of Kawagoe Castle stood the South Otemon Gate, an important entrance connecting the castle to the southern castle town. The site is now part of Kawagoe Daiichi Elementary School. A monument marks the spot within the school grounds.
This gate was a vital access point linking the town and the Honmaru Palace. While no physical remnants remain, the stone marker serves as a reminder of its historical role in the castle’s structure and traffic flow.
Since the site is on school grounds, entry is restricted to school personnel. However, the monument is located right next to the entrance and can be seen from outside the premises.
[Closed] About the Former Kawagoe History Museum
Previously, there was a privately-operated facility called the Kawagoe History Museum within the city. It was well-loved by history buffs for its exhibits on Kawagoe Castle, samurai, and ninjas, but the museum is now permanently closed.
Some outdated websites or travel blogs may still list it, so please double-check before planning a visit.
Tombs of the Matsudaira Yamato-no-kami Clan: Honoring the Lords of Kawagoe Castle
Behind the main hall (Jikeidō) of Kitain Temple lies the Matsudaira Yamato-no-kami Clan Mausoleum, the burial site of the feudal lords who once governed Kawagoe.
During the late Edo period, the Matsudaira Yamato-no-kami family ruled Kawagoe Castle. This lineage began with Matsudaira Naomoto, the fifth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s second son, Yūki Hideyasu. The family was known as the Yūki-Matsudaira clan, a prestigious Tokugawa branch, and was part of the Echizen Matsudaira lineage, with successive heads holding the title “Yamato-no-kami.”
Today, the mausoleum lies within Kitain Temple and serves as an important historical site for understanding the castle’s legacy.
The site was developed over a span of about 100 years, from the death of the 5th lord Asanori in 1768 until the domain was transferred to Maebashi in 1866.
The mausoleum features a platform built with fitted stone (kenchi-ishi), stone railings (tamaki), and five-ring pagodas. It is considered a complete example of a feudal lord’s grave site and is among the best-preserved in Saitama Prefecture.
Recommended Route to Fully Enjoy Kawagoe Castle’s Historic Sites
We’ve now introduced several historic sites related to Kawagoe Castle. Here’s a recommended walking route that efficiently covers them all.
Start by taking a bus from Kawagoe Station to the Honmaru Palace. From there, explore the nearby sites on foot following this route:
Follow the numbered stops on the map for a smooth and fulfilling historical stroll. Visiting all sites takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. Focusing only on the Honmaru Palace and nearby museum area (Stops 1–6) takes about 2 hours.
- Honmaru Gate Site
- Honmaru Palace
- Miyoshino Shrine (Seven Mysteries of Kawagoe Castle)
- Kawagoe City Museum
- Kirifuki Well
- Hasuike Gate Site
- Nakanomon Moat Site
- Otemon Gate Site
- Site of Meishinkan
- Site of South Otemon Gate
- Matsudaira Yamato-no-kami Mausoleum
Walk Through the Castle Ruins and Feel the History of Kawagoe
Near the entrance of the Honmaru Palace, you can view a map of the original Kawagoe Castle layout.
As you explore the monuments and remains scattered throughout the area, you’ll begin to grasp just how vast the castle grounds once were.
Beyond the Honmaru Palace, Kawagoe still retains many historic remains and stone markers related to the castle. Other remnants, such as turret sites and gate ruins, can still be found throughout the city. These lingering traces offer a deeper appreciation for the city’s history.
