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When you think of Kawagoe, “Koedo” (Little Edo) comes to mind. You can enjoy the romantic townscape that makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the Edo, Meiji, or Taisho periods. There are many historical buildings, such as Kawagoe Castle, with lots to see.
However, compared to other tourist destinations in Japan, Kawagoe seems to have fewer shops specializing in local souvenirs. While you can buy items from individual stores housed in old buildings or pick up nostalgic sweets at Candy Alley, you might find it challenging to locate a store that gathers all of Kawagoe’s souvenirs in one place.
That’s where “Koedo Kurari” comes in—a valuable facility that brings together the best souvenirs from Kawagoe!
In this article, we introduce Koedo Kurari.
Koedo Kurari is a complex facility converted from old sake warehouses dating back to the Meiji period. In the three warehouses, designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties by the Japanese government, you can enjoy shopping, dining, and tasting sake. It’s a popular tourist spot where you can experience the charm of Kawagoe’s souvenirs and gourmet foods while feeling the atmosphere of the Edo period.
Meiji Kura is a souvenir shop. In addition to purchasing Kawagoe gourmet items and crafts, there is also a café. Since the warehouse was constructed during the Meiji period, the high ceiling creates a spacious, open feeling.
When it comes to Kawagoe, sweet potatoes are famous. There are many sweets made with local ingredients, including Kawagoe sweet potatoes. You can also find traditional Japanese sweets from “Kuradukuri Honpo,” a long-established confectionery store in Kawagoe, founded in 1887. It’s great to have all the popular souvenir sweets in one place.
Of course, it’s not just sweets—there are also savory items like rice crackers and pickles.
You can also find traditional crafts that reflect the Edo period atmosphere and Japanese culture.
Here is “Kagami-yama,” sake from “Koedo Kagamiyama Brewery,” the only brewery in Kawagoe.
It is made with rice and water nurtured by Kawagoe’s natural environment. Due to its focus on quality and limited production, it is mostly consumed within Saitama Prefecture and rarely distributed nationwide, making it a precious sake.
Here is Coedo beer.
The Coedo Brewery in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, is one of Japan’s leading craft breweries. Since its establishment in 1996, it has gained popularity with its unique products that blend Japanese tradition and modern brewing techniques. The name “Coedo” comes from Kawagoe’s nickname, and the brewery values the history and culture of the region.
Coedo’s unique beers include “Beniaka,” made with sweet potatoes, and “Ruri,” aged in cedar barrels, reflecting Japanese ingredients and traditions. They have won numerous international awards and are highly regarded for their quality.
Both Kagami-yama sake and Coedo beer are available chilled for purchase from the refrigerator.
There is also a paid tasting corner where you can try the flavors before buying.
This is Kura Cafe, where you can enjoy coffee, tea, soft drinks, and even amazake. They also offer light meals like pasta and udon, as well as desserts.
Taisho Kura is a dining area. The restaurant “Hasshutei” serves Japanese cuisine, including the limited Red Sweet Potato Set (only 10 servings), Kawagoe Sangenton Pork Ginger Set, and other dishes made with local ingredients from Kawagoe.
Additionally, on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, “Traditional Japanese Arts Appreciation” events are held, where you can enjoy traditional Japanese performances such as Hayashi music by the Suzume-kai Hayashi Group while dining.
| Menu | Price |
|---|---|
| Yanagawa Unagi Set | 2,500 yen |
| Red Sweet Potato Set | 1,400 yen |
| Kawagoe Sangenton Pork Kakuni Set | 1,300 yen |
| Kawagoe Sangenton Pork Tonkatsu Set | 1,800 yen |
| Kawagoe Sangenton Pork Ginger Set | 1,700 yen |
| Sake Lees Grilled Red Fish Set | 1,500 yen |
| Unaju (Grilled Eel over Rice) | 2,400 yen |
| Large Prawn Tempura Bowl | 1,400 yen |
| Kawagoe Sangenton Pork Katsudon | 1,700 yen |
| Seafood Bowl | 1,700 yen |
| Salmon and Roe Bowl | 1,700 yen |
| Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Bowl) | 1,300 yen |
| Tempura Soba | 1,500 yen |
| Kawagoe Sangenton Pork Meat Juice Soba | 1,500 yen |
| Musashino Soba | 800 yen |
| Chicken Nanban Soba | 1,300 yen |
| Japanese - Style Curry Soba | 1,350 yen |
| Tororo Soba | 1,100 yen |
| Menu | Price |
|---|---|
| Three Kinds of Sashimi | 1,400 yen |
| Tuna Yamakake | 1,000 yen |
| Seafood Salad | 1,000 yen |
| Chicken Caesar Salad | 900 yen |
| Salmon Roe with Grated Radish | 800 yen |
| Octopus Wasabi | 600 yen |
| Assorted Pickles | 700 yen |
| Plum Crystal | 600 yen |
| Salted Squid | 600 yen |
| Kamaboko Board | 500 yen |
| Black Edamame | 500 yen |
| Grilled Eel Kabayaki | 2,100 yen |
| Assorted Tempura | 1,100 yen |
| Kawagoe Sangenton Pork Kakuni | 1,000 yen |
| Sake Lees Grilled Red Fish | 1,200 yen |
| Kawagoe Sangenton Pork Katsu - ni | 1,500 yen |
| Kawagoe Sangenton Pork Ginger | 1,300 yen |
| Kawagoe Sangenton Pork Roast Cutlet | 1,400 yen |
| Chicken and Egg Stew | 1,200 yen |
| Yanagawa - style Pike Conger Hotpot | 2,100 yen |
| Fried Chicken | 600 yen |
| French Fries | 500 yen |
| Rice Set | 400 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Draft Beer | 660 yen |
| Black Beer | 600 yen |
| Glass Beer | 400 yen |
| Dry Zero | 500 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Beniaka | 950 yen |
| Shiro | 900 yen |
| Shikkoku | 800 yen |
| Marihana | 750 yen |
| Ruri | 750 yen |
| Kyara | 750 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Lemon Sour | 500 yen |
| Grapefruit Sour | 500 yen |
| Green Tea Highball | 500 yen |
| Oolong Highball | 500 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Highball | 600 yen |
| Single (Water/Soda/On the Rocks) | 500 yen |
| Double (Water/Soda/On the Rocks) | 900 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Glass Wine (Red/White) | 700 yen |
| Bottle Wine (Red/White) | 3,000 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Nakamura Jo (Kagoshima) | 800 yen |
| Kawagoe (Miyazaki) | 600 yen |
| Tanabata Genju (Miyazaki) | 600 yen |
| Aka Kirishima (Miyazaki) | 500 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hundred Years of Solitude (Miyazaki) | 800 yen |
| Craftsman Tada Candy Brown (Fukuoka) | 600 yen |
| Nakano Tozui (Miyazaki) | 600 yen |
| Nakano (Miyazaki) | 500 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| No Usagi no Hashiri (Miyazaki) | 800 yen |
| Torikai (Kumamoto) | 600 yen |
| Dassai Shochu (Yamaguchi) | 800 yen |
| Chiebijin (Oita) | 500 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Sake Musashi Daiginjo | 1,500 yen |
| Junmai Ginjo | 1,100 yen |
| Ginjo | 1,000 yen |
| Junmai | 900 yen |
| Kawagoe | 600 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dassai 39%, | 1,350 yen |
| Masumi Yamahana Junmai Daiginjo | 1,250 yen |
| Hakkaisan Junmai Daiginjo | 1,050 yen |
| Tateyama Tokubetsu Junmai | 950 yen |
| Hiroki Tokubetsu Junmai | 900 yen |
| Snow Peak Yamahai Junmai | 750 yen |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 450 yen |
| Iced Coffee | 450 yen |
| Tea (Milk/Lemon) | 400 yen |
| Iced Tea (Milk/Lemon) | 400 yen |
| Cream Soda | 450 yen |
| Coca - Cola | 350 yen |
| Ginger Ale | 350 yen |
| Oolong Tea | 350 yen |
| Orange Juice | 350 yen |
| Grapefruit Juice | 350 yen |
| Melon Soda | 350 yen |
| Calpis | 350 yen |
| Calpis Melon | 350 yen |
Official Site of Taisho Kura Dining
Showa Kura Sake Tasting is a facility where you can sample sake brewed in Saitama Prefecture. You can also purchase the sake.
You can sample sake by following these steps:
The tasting is automated, allowing you to enjoy the sake you want to try at your own pace without involving staff.
Each sake has a description of its flavor, making it easy to choose.
For those who prefer hot sake, there are facilities to warm the sake.
Warm sake is perfect for colder seasons. Some of the descriptions even recommend heating the sake, so be sure to try it.
The sake sales corner offers a wide variety of local sake from Saitama. In addition to Kawagoe’s local sake, you can find sake from across the prefecture. They also sell wine and plum wine.
The highlight of Kawagoe tourism, the Koedo townscape, consists mostly of individual shops. As a result, there are few stores that comprehensively handle Kawagoe souvenirs.
However, at Kurari, you will find a perfect environment for travelers to purchase souvenirs, from Kawagoe’s specialty sweets and sake to traditional crafts.
After touring Koedo, stop by Kurari to pick up souvenirs and wrap up your Kawagoe visit. It’s also convenient that they offer nationwide shipping, so you can return home empty-handed even if you buy a lot.
If you visit Kawagoe, Koedo Kurari is a must-see tourist spot. Be sure to stop by.
