Kawagoe Toki-no-Kane Bell Tower and Traditional Warehouse District

Kawagoe's Toki-no-Kane is a bell tower approximately 16 meters tall, built about 400 years ago, which still rings four times a day. The traditional warehouse-style streetscape of Ichibangai was constructed after the great fire of Meiji 26 (1893) as fire-resistant architecture, featuring an impressive view of black plaster walls and imposing warehouses lined up consecutively. The sound of the bell, selected as one of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan to be Preserved" by the Ministry of the Environment, continues to convey the town's history to the present day. The surrounding area features numerous sweet potato dessert shops, with imo-kenpi (sweet potato chips) and sweet potato soft-serve ice cream being particularly popular. Strolling around in rented kimono is also highly recommended.