confectionery alley

Kashiya Yokocho is lined with candy stores that have preserved the simple, old-fashioned taste of sweets, making it a charming tourist attraction with the aroma of nostalgic sweets.

There are numerous candy confections that bring back fond memories, such as the savory smell of burning soy sauce, Nikki and Hakka candies, dagashi, dango (dumplings), and other candy confections made using old-fashioned methods, as well as carmelized dumplings.

The history of Kashiya Yokocho began in 1796 when Suzuki Tozaemon began making unpretentious confections that suited the tastes of Edo people in this area. Since then, the number of confectionery shops in the surrounding area has increased through the division of goodwill.

After the Great Kanto Earthquake, Confectioner’s Alley became a base for the production and supply of candy instead of Tokyo, which was damaged by the earthquake. Edo confections such as Chitoseame, Kintaroame, mizuyokan, and karinsugar were manufactured and shipped nationwide.

In the early Showa period (1926-1989), there were more than 70 stores making and distributing numerous confections. Today, the number of stores has been reduced to more than 20, but in the town, where the atmosphere of cobblestone pavement still remains, there are still stores that continue to make confections using traditional methods, such as Hakka-ame, Kintaro-ame, and other creative candies.

The most noteworthy of these is candy. Although it has the image of a candy shop, it used to be known as “Ameya Yokocho,” a place where candy making flourished. Colorful candies with images of seasonal flowers and fruits are fun to look at and make great souvenirs.

In Ameya Yokocho, a nostalgic atmosphere prevails with a cobblestone street lined with candy stores and telephone poles painted brown on a cobblestone street strewn with colorful glasses that resemble candy crafts, making it a popular tourist destination for both adults and children to enjoy and return to their childhood memories.

The area has also been selected as one of the “100 Sceneries of Kaori Scenery” by the Ministry of the Environment.

Townscape of warehouses

After passing the Nakamachi intersection, the “Kura-zukuri no machinami” (a district for the preservation of groups of important traditional buildings) spreads out under the open sky. This street has been undergrounded with electric wires and is well maintained to make it easy for tourists to walk along.

The “Toki no Kane” (bell of time), the symbol of Kawagoe, has been selected as one of the “100 Japanese Soundscapes to Preserve” and has been telling the time four times a day since the Kan’ei era.

Entering a side street of the warehouse-styled townscape, you will soon see the entrance to “Kashiya Yokocho” (Confectionery Alley). Once you step into “Kashiya Yokocho,” you will be filled with the faint aroma of nostalgic sweets such as Hakka candy, candy bars, and dango dumplings.