What to know
Honmaru Goten (本丸御殿), meaning "the palace in the innermost circle of defense," is the only surviving building of the former Kawagoe Castle. This palace served as the lord's residence and administrative offices.
Kawagoe Castle was originally built in 1457. When Tokugawa Ieyasu took control, he appointed a trusted vassal as its lord due to Kawagoe's importance as a trading hub and strategic defensive point north of the capital. Throughout the Edo Period, 21 different lords, all closely allied with the Tokugawa Shogunate, resided at Kawagoe Castle.
The current structure was added to the castle in 1848, shortly before the end of the feudal era. It features spacious tatami rooms, a garden, and displays of cultural heritage paintings. Visitors can also sit with three models of a feudal lord and his vassals, imagining what it was like to hold discussions in that room.
Honmaru Goten is a ten-minute walk from the Warehouse District or Kitain Temple. The Kawagoe City Museum is located just across the street.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
- Closed
- Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday), the 4th Friday of each month (except national holidays), December 29 to January 3
- Admission
- 100 yen (~$0.64) (Honmaru Goten only)
- English name
- Original name
- Honmaru Goten (Kawagoe Castle)
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.