About 30 mins north west of Tokyo is Kawogoe. Fortunately it escaped the bombing during WW 11 so many older buildings survived in their original form. Streets are lined with what are described as warehouse buildings, evocative of the Edo period.

Beyond the more modern buildings around the station, old Kawogoe is alive and well …. and reeking of sweet potatoes. These are a local delicacy and they are used in ice cream, cakes, waffles, beer, crisps and chips. And probably much more!

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Lots of delightful young women were walking around in national dress, meeting up with school and college friends after graduation at the end of the academic year