🗺️ Clock of Time時の鐘

Starting from central Tokyo, it only takes one hour to reach Koedo Kawagoe, where you can fully explore this city filled with retro charm. One of the representative tourist attractions of Kawagoe is the Toki no Kane, which stands prominently on the Kurazukuri Street. Toki no Kane is a wooden bell tower approximately 16 meters tall and is now a landmark building in Kawagoe. The bell tower chimes four times a day: at 6 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM. The bell tower was built about 400 years ago, reportedly ordered by the lord of Kawagoe, Sakai Tadakatsu. Although it has been destroyed by fire several times, it has been rebuilt each time, and the current bell tower is the fourth generation. Reconstructed after the Great Kawagoe Fire of 1893, Toki no Kane has now become a symbol of Kawagoe. In 1958, it was designated as a tangible cultural asset of Kawagoe City and was selected in 1996 as one of the "One Hundred Soundscapes of Japan to Be Preserved." With the passage of time, the method of ringing the bell, which was once done by a bell keeper at fixed times, has been replaced by a mechanical device. Nevertheless, the historical charm contained in the bell's sound remains unchanged. If you have the opportunity to stroll through the old streets of Kawagoe, please listen carefully to the sound of the bell as a keepsake.

Passing through the Clock of Time will lead you to the Yakushi Shrine. Surrounding it are various souvenir shops and stalls where you can purchase gifts and enjoy the fun of eating while strolling. Standing a little farther away from the clock tower allows you to capture very beautiful panoramic photos. The clock tower chimes four times a day: at 6 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM.