Rising up out of the warehouse-style townscape of Kawagoe is the Time Bell Tower, a symbol of the city. A three-story turret made of wood, the tower stands at about 16 meters tall, and the bell tower is a popular tourist spot in Kawagoe City. It is said that it was founded about 400 years ago by Sakai Tadakatsu, the feudal lord of Kawagoe at the time. Following its completion, an increasing number of fires destroyed the bell tower and the copper bell more than once, and the structure was rebuilt several times throughout the Edo period. Currently standing is the fourth generation of the tower, rebuilt directly after the Great Fire of Kawagoe in 1893. The pleasant ringing of the bell was recognized in 1996 by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan. The bell rings four times each day: 6:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. The sound of the bell as well as the color of the sky, the view of the town, and the drifting scents give visitors a taste of the atmosphere of Koedo Kawagoe. When planning to visit, we recommend matching your timing to the ringing of the bell.

Photograph provided by Saitama Prefecture Tourism Association