Many travelers come to Japan hoping to find a castle town in Tokyo, only to discover that this international metropolis retains almost no traces of traditional castle towns. In fact, Edo Castle—the heart of the Tokugawa shogunate's rule—is now the Imperial Palace, and the complete castle town layout disappeared entirely during the Meiji Restoration urban reforms. However, this doesn't mean there's no way to experience Edo-era atmosphere around Tokyo. Simply take a train or drive, and within 1 to 2 hours from Tokyo, you can step into a beautifully preserved castle town and feel the daily life of samurai and merchants from 300 years ago.
The Disappearance and Revival of Tokyo's Castle Towns
The castle town form around Edo Castle transformed dramatically after the 1868 Meiji Restoration. As the seat of the Emperor, Tokyo was tasked with becoming a modern capital. Traditional samurai residences and merchant districts were demolished and replaced with Western-style grid-pattern streets. Finding castle town ruins within Tokyo's 23 wards is nearly impossible. However, Ogawa Town and Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture, as well as neighboring Kamakura, are all "living castle towns" that have continued since the Edo period—not only preserving the architecture, but also the lifestyle and festival culture.
Little Edo Kawagoe: The Most Complete Castle Town Experience Near Tokyo
Known as "Little Edo," Kawagoe can be reached from Tokyo via the Tobu Tojo Line or JR Kawagoe Line in about 30 to 50 minutes. This city prospered during the Edo period as a post town on the Nakasendo highway, and due to the presence of the Kawagoe castle lord, it functioned as a castle town. Walking through the Kurazukuri old street, you'll see rows of thick black-plastered buildings—a special fire-resistant design created by merchants. The red torii gate at Hikawa Shrine is a favorite among photographers, while the 500 Rakan statues at Kitano Temple quietly tell the story of Edo's Buddhist culture.
Kawagoe's Senba Toshodai Temple is an easily overlooked treasure. Though not as famous as Nikko's Toshodai Temple, its Yomeimon Gate is equally exquisite in craftsmanship, yet with far fewer tourists—a place where you can quietly appreciate Edo aesthetics. Plan half a day to a full day, avoiding weekend crowds for a more relaxed castle town stroll.
Tokorozawa: The Low-Key Gem of Samurai Culture
About an hour from Tokyo via the JR Hachiko Line, Tokorozawa was an important samurai city in the early Edo period. It has deep ties to the historical drama "What Do You Do, Ieyasu?"—Tokugawa Ieyasu was once confined here at Sankeiun Temple after the Battle of Otate-hama, making Tokorozawa a key city for understanding Ieyasu's story and the unification of Japan.
Sankeiun Temple still preserves Ieyasu's study and related artifacts. The "Ieyasu Path" behind the temple is a trail through bamboo groves, said to be the route Ieyasu used for his secret escape. Walking through it, the bamboo rustles, and the weight of history naturally emerges. Rather than crowded tourist spots, this is a place where one can reflect and dialog with history.
Irma: Where Tea and Samurai Intersect
Near the Irma Smart IC in Irma City lies a low-key but precious castle town—Iwafune Samurai Village. Here, the complete layout of Edo-period samurai residences is preserved: wooden earthen walls, black tile roofs, and narrow stone-paved paths. Walking through feels like traveling 300 years back in time.
What makes this place special is that people still live in these traditional residences—not just as tourist attractions. You can book a guided tour, where local guides explain the structure of samurai residences and family stories in Japanese (or English). This "living" castle town experience is something the commercial atmosphere of Kawagoe's Kurazukuri Street cannot offer.
Hachioji: The Gateway to Kai on the Koshu Kaido
As a post town on the Koshu Kaido, Hachioji was historically the gateway to Kai Province (Yamanashi Prefecture) and the economic center of North Musashino. While the area around Hachioji Station is now filled with high-rises, walking through the alleys near Meganebashi Bridge still reveals remnants of Edo-period town houses.
However, Hachioji's true highlight is the "jinya" ruins at the foot of Takao Mountain—from the early Edo period, this was a facility for collecting tolls and managing logistics on the route from Kai Province to Edo. Unlike other castle towns with complete districts, Hachioji's castle town elements are more scattered, requiring a local guide or detailed research to fully explore. But for travelers who enjoy "exploration-style tourism," this challenge is part of the fun.
Practical Information
Kurazukuri old street in Kawagoe has no admission fee and can be visited any time. Round-trip fare from Tokyo is approximately ¥1,000 to ¥1,500 (depending on your departure station). Hikawa Shrine is free, and admission to Senba Toshodai Temple is ¥500. It's recommended to visit on weekdays for fewer crowds and better photo opportunities.
Sankeiun Temple in Tokorozawa is about a 15-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Line's "Hon-Kawagoe Station," admission is free, but the Ieyasu Path requires a guided tour (advance booking via the official website is recommended). Iwafune Samurai Village offers Japanese or English guided tours via their official website, costing approximately ¥2,000 to ¥3,000.
The Meganebashi Bridge area in Hachioji is about a 10-minute walk from JR Hachioji Station. It's recommended to use local walking maps (such as those issued by the Hachioji City Tourism Association) to avoid getting lost.
Travel Tips
Castle towns around Tokyo differ from the ancient capital atmosphere of Kyoto and Nara—here, it's more like "commoner's Edo." There are no gilded temples or magnificent palaces of royalty and nobility; instead, you'll find scenes closer to the真实 lives of samurai and merchants from that era. When planning your itinerary, choose 1 to 2 destinations for a deep experience rather than trying to check off many places—the charm of castle towns requires time to savor slowly.
Additionally, the yen depreciation since 2024 has made travel to small cities around Tokyo more affordable, with many old shops in castle towns maintaining relatively reasonable prices. For photography, capturing the earthen-walled buildings in early morning or evening light best brings out the calm tones of the Edo period.
常見問題 Frequently Asked Questions
What castle towns around Tokyo do you recommend visiting?
We recommend Odawara Castle in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kawagoe Castle in Saitama Prefecture, and other well-preserved castle towns in the Kanto region for a complete Edo-period experience.
How long does it take to travel from central Tokyo to the castle towns?
Depending on the location, it takes about 1 to 2 hours by train or car to reach the surrounding castle towns, making them very accessible.
What are the approximate ticket prices for castle town attractions?
Tower Keep or history museum tickets cost approximately ¥500 to ¥1,500, and combined tickets may offer discounts at some attractions.
What is the best season to visit castle towns?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer comfortable weather and are the best times to visit castle towns.
What should I note when visiting castle towns?
Some attractions prohibit photography—please respect local rules and maintain quiet. Those with mobility difficulties are advised to check barrier-free facilities in advance.
