Today we explored Kawagoe, famously known as “Little Edo,” and immediately the narrow Kurazukuri Street grabbed our attention. The first thing you notice is the crowd – tourists, locals, and bicycles all moving in a tight flow. One student remarked, “It’s beautiful, like stepping back in time, but it feels almost impossible to walk without bumping into someone.” Right away, the tension between charm and congestion becomes clear.
As we moved past the old merchant houses, another student noticed the shops: “So many souvenirs and snacks. I love them, but are we really experiencing heritage, or just consuming a tourist-friendly version?” This sparked a discussion about how overtourism shapes local culture and daily life. Later, a student paused near a small café and said, “I wonder how the residents feel – do they still feel this is their town, or has it become a stage for visitors?” Questions about social capital and community participation started to emerge naturally from these observations.
By the small shrine tucked between two buildings, one student reflected, “Even here, there’s a line of visitors taking photos. It makes me think – heritage is being consumed like a product, not lived in.” Walking further, students noted how festival banners and street performances aim to entertain tourists, yet some residents seemed distant, quietly observing the spectacle. We asked ourselves: who really benefits from tourism here, and at what cost? Halfway down the street, a local shopkeeper invited us inside for a brief chat. A student commented afterward, “I can see they appreciate the business, but they also mentioned feeling powerless to influence the bigger picture. That really hit me – economic benefit isn’t the same as social well-being.”
Our reflections throughout the day repeatedly circled back to critical questions: How can Kawagoe manage tourist flows without losing authenticity? Does consumption of souvenirs and experiences weaken the local community and if how ? And how can residents be empowered to participate in shaping the town, rather than simply serving as hosts?
As we concluded our visit, we looked ahead to Sawara, another historic town with waterways and preserved streets. Kawagoe’s lessons set the stage: we want to observe not just the tourist experience, but also how social networks, community governance, and cultural practices are maintained. Sawara will allow us to compare strategies and think critically about balancing heritage, tourism, and community life.
By the end of the day, students’ comments summed up the visit: “Kawagoe is beautiful and vibrant, but it also raises so many questions about what it means to live in a place that everyone wants to visit.” The field diary reminds us that heritage tourism isn’t just about numbers or photos—it’s about sustaining culture, social capital, and community identity.
References
Imai, H. (2012). Balancing urban revitalization, tourism and development issues in times of crisis: Kawagoe’s historical district as a self-sustaining and resilient community. Contemporary Japan, 24(2), 149–178.
Japan Travel News. (2025, May 10). Kawagoe hits record visitors in 2024.
Kawagoe City DMO. (2023). Crowd management initiatives report.
Milano, C., Cheer, J. M., & Novelli, M. (2019). Overtourism: Excesses, discontents and measures in travel and tourism. CABI.
Nihon Keizai Shimbun. (2023, November 18). Tourist congestion grows in Kawagoe.
Okamoto, R. (2022). Urban heritage under pressure: The case of Kawagoe. Journal of Japanese Urban Studies, 41(2), 55–72.
Yomiuri Shimbun. (2024, April 2). Residents voice concerns over overtourism in Kawagoe.