Over the holidays, we went to Kawagoe, one of Japan's cities that represents the Edo period of which the culture of the past is remembered.

This is an example of the black walled fireproof storehouses that were built in the construction boom of the 1720's.



The mode of transportation during that time period in the city can be rented today for a short excursion.


The original Kawagoe Castle was built in 1457. This reminds the people of what was left of the castle after the devasting earthquake of 1923 and the bombings of WWII.
The landmark bell tower is 16 meters tall and its uniform style has been preserved since a fire in 1893. The first wooden bell tower was built in 1624.

Our timing was such that we heard one of the four daily ringings of the bell.

I thought it would be a good way for us to "ring" in the new year. Happy 2011!!