The Kawagoe City Museum is a 10-minute walk from the Kawagoe Warehouse District or Kitain Temple, and is located right across the street from Honmaru Goten.





Kawagoe City Museum
Kawagoe City Museum (川越市立博物館, Kawagoe Shiritsu Hakubutsukan) takes you on a journey through Kawagoe’s rich history, from ancient times to the present day. Through real artifacts, full-scale models, and excavated relics, the museum illustrates how the city evolved over the centuries. A standout exhibit is the kurazukuri (warehouse-style) construction model, which shows how the thick walls of traditional buildings were built. Another highlight is a detailed model of the old castle town, revealing how Kawagoe developed over time.
The museum also explores Kawagoe’s growing connection to Edo (now Tokyo) in the 17th century, which led to its nickname “Little Edo.” Right next door is the Kawagoe City Art Museum, which features modern and contemporary works by artists connected to the city. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts several special exhibitions throughout the year, offering visitors fresh perspectives on local and diverse styles of Japanese art.
Hours and Fees
- Opening hours
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9:00 to 17:00 (last admission 16:30)
- Closed
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Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday)
- Entrance fee
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200 yen (city museum only)
300 yen (also including the Kawagoe City Art Museum)
Getting there
Resources
Nearby
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Kawagoe City Art Museum — 10-minute walk
Modern art by local Kawagoe artists
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Honmaru Goten (Kawagoe Castle) — 10-minute walk
Historic castle palace with samurai history
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Kawagoe Festival Museum — 15-minute walk
Traditional floats and festival history displays
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Kitain Temple — 20-minute walk
Edo Castle's last original buildings
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Candy Alley — 20-minute walk
Traditional sweets and nostalgic street charm
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