Candy Alley

Candy Alley (菓子屋横丁, Kashiya Yokochō) in Kawagoe is a nostalgic street brimming with traditional Japanese sweets and old-fashioned charm. Located right next to the Kawagoe Warehouse District, this narrow lane is lined with over 20 shops offering a delightful array of treats—colorful candies, crispy senbei (rice crackers), deep-fried karintō cookies, and confections made with red bean paste and Kawagoe’s signature sweet potatoes. Visitors can also enjoy ice cream, browse playful souvenirs, and pick up small toys or trinkets—perfect as gifts or keepsakes.

Candy Alley has a rich history rooted in resilience and local tradition. After the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, it became a key supplier of sweets to Tokyo during a time of severe shortage. In its heyday during the early Showa period, more than 70 sweet shops filled the street with activity and aroma. While fewer remain today, the alley still retains the retro charm and vibrant flavors of decades past. A walk through Candy Alley is more than just a snack stop—it’s a sensory journey into Japan’s sweet, nostalgic past.