Tokyo travel tips, the Kawagoe Bell of Time

Located just 30 minutes by train from the Ikebukuro Station, the Kawagoe city from Saitama offers, with its traditional buildings, a wonderful glimpse of life during the Edo period.
Since it was built, over 350 years ago, Toki-no-Kane, the Bell of Time, was the symbol of Kawagoe. The tower hosting the bell was rebuilt several times and the one we can admire today, over 16-meters tall, dates from 1893 (rebuilt after the Kawagoe Great Fire).

The sound of this bell was selected in 1996 as one of the "100 Japanese Soundscapes" that must be conserved by the Ministry of the Environment.

Travel Tip: The bell, which is now mechanically operated, rings exactly 4 times a day. So if you wish to hear it, plan your trip to be nearby at 6AM, at noon, at 3PM or at 6PM.