Top 20 Restaurants Near Kawagoe's Most Popular Date Spots: Close to Toki no Kane, Hikawa Shrine, and More

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Located along the Kurazukuri Street, a popular sightseeing area in Kawagoe where you can also see the iconic Toki no Kane bell tower, this bagel specialty café is near the Kawagoe Festival Museum.

Bagels are sold on the first floor, while the second floor features a cozy, natural café space. VANITOY BAGEL has also been selected for the Tabelog 100 Bakeries EAST.

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The bagels at VANITOY BAGEL are made with 100% Hokkaido wheat, giving them a delightfully chewy texture and a delicious flavor even on their own.

For dine-in guests, bagel sandwiches filled with vegetables and options like chicken or salmon are available. These bagel sandwiches come with a salad and dessert, making them a great choice for lunch.

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There are over 20 varieties of bagels available, and many customers choose to take away to enjoy their bagels over a road-trip date.

The most popular option is the "Kawagoe Bagel," which features pumpkin kneaded into the dough and is filled with sweet potato paste and cream cheese. The perfect balance of sweetness and tangy cheese makes it a standout choice.

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A soba restaurant established in the Meiji era, Kotobuki An has been serving guests for over 110 years. It is located along the Kurazukuri (warehouse-style) street, near the Ichiban-gai bus stop.

The traditional Japanese interior harmonizes perfectly with the historic Edo-period atmosphere of the surrounding area. The open, vaulted ceiling features impressive wooden beams, adding to the authentic ambiance.

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Kawagoe Matcha Soba, a specialty of Kotobuki An, features a unique blend of matcha green tea leaves grown in the former Kawagoe domain of western Saitama and buckwheat flour.

Their signature wanko soba is served in small individual bowls, each with matcha soba. The set comes with a variety of condiments and side dishes, with the number of toppings matching the number of soba portions. Enjoy a different combination of flavors as you try each bowl with a new condiment.

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There is also "Tempura Soba," featuring soba noodles served in a warm broth and topped with tempura. The subtle aroma of matcha adds a pleasant accent to the dish.

While the restaurant can get busy during lunchtime, its calm and relaxed atmosphere makes it an excellent choice for a date.

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A traditional Japanese sweets café located about a 15-minute walk from Kawagoe Station, just steps from the iconic Toki no Kane bell tower. Housed in a renovated building over 130 years old, the shop perfectly matches the historic kura-style streetscape of the area.

Inside, you’ll find vintage-style tables and furnishings that reflect the building’s long history.

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A specialty of Kanmi Sabo Kasuga is their "Imo Somen," a unique noodle made with about 30% local Kawagoe sweet potato. The noodles have a pleasantly chewy texture and a subtle sweet potato flavor that emerges as you eat.

The classic way to enjoy them is dipped in a chilled broth, but they are also served in a warm, minestrone-style tomato soup.

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The "Kawagoe Yaki Dango," freshly grilled in front of the restaurant, is especially popular. You can choose between the savory soy sauce flavor or the "Nori Isobe," wrapped in seaweed.

The enticing aroma often draws people in, making these dango a perfect treat for strolling and snacking. If you're on a date, it's a fun idea to each try a different flavor and compare.

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Yamawa is a pottery shop housed in a large, traditional earthen warehouse built during the Meiji era. Torokko is the café operated by this historic shop.

Located near the iconic Toki no Kane bell tower, Torokko features a distinctive warehouse-style exterior. Inside, the bright and welcoming space allows guests to enjoy a café where orders are served in carefully selected pottery, reflecting the shop’s dedication to fine ceramics.

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The menu at Torokko focuses on dishes made with sweet potatoes, a specialty of Kawagoe. Their main offering is the "Sweet Potato Mini Kaiseki."

Sweet potatoes are featured in a variety of ways—from classic rice and soup dishes to gratin, fried items, and simmered dishes. Each preparation highlights different textures and flavors, ensuring a unique and enjoyable dining experience.

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The menu features a variety of sweets, including cakes made with sweet potato blended into the batter and anmitsu topped with sweet potato paste.

They also offer "Satsumaimo Local Beer," making it a great choice for dates—even if your partner isn't a fan of sweets.

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A three-minute walk from the Toki no Kane bell tower, PINO is a pizzeria tucked away on a side street off the historic warehouse district.

Firewood for the pizza oven is stacked in front of the restaurant, adding to its authentic charm. With around ten seats, the cozy and stylish interior creates an inviting atmosphere perfect for a date.

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Each pizza is made to order, starting with hand-stretching the dough, then baked in a wood-fired oven visible from the counter.

The thin yet chewy crust is generously topped with sauce and finely chopped ingredients, earning high praise for its delicious flavor.

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The menu features around nine varieties of pizza, all offered at attractive prices.

In the evening, the restaurant also serves a selection of light appetizers that pair well with wine. With options like sangria and grappa available, it's an ideal spot for a stylish dinner date.

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A specialty chocolate shop located just a three-minute walk from the Toki no Kane bell tower, along Kawagoe’s historic Kurazukuri (warehouse-style) streets. Operated by a renowned chocolate manufacturer, this store offers a refined selection of chocolates.

The shop is designed to resemble a traditional white-walled warehouse, and features bench seating inside. A variety of chocolates are available for purchase as souvenirs.

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The specialty here is the "Fondant Chocolat," served in a small cup. Perfect for enjoying on the go, it features a rich, molten chocolate center that oozes out with every bite.

They also offer a unique sweet potato version called "Oimo de Chocolat." For couples on a date, it's a great idea to try both and compare the flavors together.

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The soft serve ice cream is made with Belgian chocolate, offering a rich cacao flavor without being overly sweet.

The shop also serves drinks such as "Cacao Wine" and hot chocolate, making it a perfect place to relax and recharge after a day of exploring.

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Located just a two-minute walk from the iconic Toki no Kane bell tower, this hidden gem of a café is nestled among the traditional kura-style streets. The first floor facing the street features a Japanese goods shop, with a cozy café space tucked away in the back.

Guests can enjoy a relaxing café time while soaking their feet in a foot bath and gazing out at the garden.

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The 45-minute experience includes the foot bath, a hand towel, and a selection of sweets or drinks, so you can relax even if you don't bring your own towel.

Enjoy photogenic treats like the "Kohaku Cider Float," perfect for soothing both your body and mind.

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The photo shows the "Three-Variety Warabi Mochi Sampler," featuring classic kinako (roasted soybean flour) along with flavors made with locally sourced Kawagoe matcha and hojicha tea.

At Ashiyu Kissa Tsubakiya, you can enjoy drinks such as beer or coffee while soaking your feet in a relaxing foot bath—perfect for bringing couples closer together during a date.

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Located about a 7-minute walk from Hikawa Shrine, which is famous for bringing couples together, BurgerCafe honohono offers gourmet burgers near Kawagoe City Hall. The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner.

With its welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff, it is a comfortable choice for a date.

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The buns are specially made by a local bakery in Kawagoe, and the patties are coarsely ground by a neighborhood butcher, featuring ingredients sourced from the area.

Both the buns and patties are charcoal-grilled, resulting in a fluffy texture and a deliciously smoky aroma.

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The most popular item is the "Honohono Burger," featuring an addictive blend of chili sauce and barbecue sauce.

Toppings include avocado, honey, and bacon, among others. These burgers may look bold, but they're perfectly balanced in flavor.

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A café located about a 5-minute walk from Hikawa Shrine, near Hatsukari Junior High School. The menu focuses on coffee and sweets.

The interior blends a whimsical, fairy-tale charm with antique touches. Seating is available on both the first and second floors, each offering a comfortable and inviting atmosphere that encourages you to linger and relax.

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They carefully prepare each cup of coffee by grinding their house-roasted beans to order and brewing with the flannel drip method.

In addition to single-origin coffees selected by bean, they also offer creative specialty coffees. One highlight is the "Trio," which layers sweet milk, black coffee, and coffee-colored foam—a visually striking drink as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate.

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The cafe is open from midday to evening on weekdays and from the morning on weekends and holidays. Mel Coffee offers a refined yet affordable breakfast set.

Enjoy two types of toast—such as almond butter and cheese—served with pickles and yogurt. It's an ideal spot for a morning date.

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Ogakiku is a long-established unagi (eel) restaurant founded in 1807, offering over 200 years of culinary tradition. It has also been selected as one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Unagi Restaurants.

Located about an 11-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station, Ogakiku stands along Taisho Roman Yume-dori. The three-story wooden building exudes a dignified, historic charm.

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Ogakiku serves Kanto-style unagi, which is first steamed and then grilled. Their signature sauce, a closely guarded family recipe, has been passed down through seven generations since the restaurant's founding.

The tender eel is perfectly complemented by the sauce, which is flavorful without being overly sweet, allowing the natural taste of the unagi to shine.

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Many guests enjoy pairing their drinks with light appetizers such as shirayaki (grilled eel without sauce), uzaku (vinegared eel and cucumber), and hone-sen (crispy eel bones) while they wait for their main unagi dish to be prepared.

The restaurant tends to get crowded, especially on weekends, so if you're planning a special date, making a reservation in advance is recommended, even though you may need to specify your arrival time.

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Located about a 10-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station, PIZZERIA ROCCO sits along Prefectural Route 12, running parallel to Taisho Roman Yume-dori. This pizzeria has been selected as one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Pizza Restaurants.

With its natural ambiance, the restaurant offers a relaxed and comfortable dining atmosphere.

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Enjoy light, thin-crust pizzas inspired by Neapolitan style.

A unique specialty here is the "Pizza Coedo," which features Kawagoe’s famous sweet potatoes and is topped with a sweet-savory sauce inspired by mitarashi dango from a local Japanese confectionery. The blend of flavors is truly addictive.

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PIZZERIA ROCCO offers great-value lunch sets that include pizza, salad, and a drink, as well as a selection of antipasti that pair perfectly with wine.

For a date, sharing dishes such as ajillo, oven-baked bacon, and pizza is highly recommended for a memorable dining experience.

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Located along Taisho Roman Street, a shopping district in Kawagoe that retains the atmosphere of the Taisho era, this espresso bar specializes in expertly crafted coffee.

With a simple and cozy interior offering about seven seats, the shop provides an intimate setting. There is also a bench outside, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a delicious coffee break during your date.

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This coffee stand offers a single type of coffee bean, which delivers a pleasantly bitter, dark chocolate-like flavor when enjoyed as an espresso.

They also serve "cortado," a small Spanish-style latte, as well as the classic latte, which is said to have a subtle chocolatey taste.

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Enjoy a creamy Flat White with extra milk, or try the Mocha Wall, where chocolate sauce is drizzled along the rim of the cup for a delightful change in flavor with every sip.

Take away cups are available, so why not bring your coffee along as you stroll through the romantic, Taisho-era streets on your date?

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Located about a 10-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station, Shimano Coffee Taisho Kan is a café situated along Taisho Roman Yume Street. The exterior features a nostalgic stone façade that blends seamlessly with the historic atmosphere of the town.

Inside, guests can enjoy an ambiance reminiscent of the Taisho era, offering a unique glimpse into early 20th-century Japan.

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Coffee made with house-roasted beans, carefully brewed using a siphon, is said to be clean and easy to drink. The café also takes pride in serving coffee in elegant cups.

The "Pudding à la Mode" is beautifully presented in a retro stainless steel dish, adding a delightful touch to your experience.

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The café offers an extensive variety of different toasts, perfect for a satisfying light meal. There are also special set menus available exclusively during lunchtime.

At the table seating area, you’ll find a retro-style omikuji fortune roulette machine. This nostalgic Showa-era experience is sure to spark conversation and make your date even more memorable.

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1901 TEA SALON is a Japanese-style café housed in a storehouse originally built in 1901 and thoughtfully renovated over time. Located along Taisho Roman Yume Street, a charming shopping avenue paved with stone, the café blends seamlessly with the historic atmosphere of the area.

The wooden table sets complement the 120-year-old building, creating a warm and inviting space. Please note that the café is open only on weekends, public holidays, and Mondays.

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The tea selection here primarily features "Sayama Kaori," a tea leaf cultivated in Saitama Prefecture. Their Japanese black tea is also made by fermenting "Sayamidori" leaves.

They offer tea sets paired with sweets, including a popular Bavarian cream dessert made with "Kawagoe Matcha." This dessert is praised for its rich matcha flavor and creamy texture.

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Tea is served in a traditional iron teapot, allowing you to pour it yourself into your cup for a hands-on experience.

Each pot contains enough tea for two to three servings, so if you're on a date, ordering different varieties and comparing flavors can be a fun way to enjoy your time together.

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Kashiya Yokocho is a charming alley lined with around 30 traditional confectionery shops, featuring stone-paved streets. Kawagoe Bakery Rakuraku is a bakery located just off a side street from this historic alley.

The bakery features a retro design that perfectly complements the surrounding townscape. Primarily focused on bread sales, it also offers a simple terrace seating area. Kawagoe Bakery Rakuraku has been selected as one of Tabelog's Top 100 Bakeries in Eastern Japan.

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Kawagoe Bakery Rakuraku crafts its breads using Hokkaido wheat, homemade fermented starters, and hand-prepared cream and sweet bean paste.

The bakery’s signature item is the "Miso Pan," a unique bread made by blending mochi flour into the dough and kneading in miso from Chichibu. Resembling a Japanese-style melon bread, it features a miso-flavored cookie crust with a touch of saltiness that makes it truly addictive.

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Kawagoe Bakery Rakuraku offers a wide variety of breads, beautifully displayed in their showcase. Popular items tend to sell out quickly, so be sure to visit early.

Their savory breads, such as "Chikuwa Pan" (bread stuffed with fish cake) and "Curry Pan" (bread filled with curry), are especially well-received. These breads are also perfect for taking along on a drive date.

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Founded in 1796 during the late Edo period, Matsuriku Seika is a confectionery shop with over 220 years of history, specializing in traditional Japanese candies. The shop offers a wide variety of sweets, from classic candies to modern, cute creations.

Located along Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley), Matsuriku Seika is a take-away only shop. It features sweets perfect for strolling and enjoying on a date.

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One of the most popular items is the "Tako Mayo Sen." Made to order, it features a chewy, okonomiyaki-style pancake sandwiched between crisp rice crackers.

Flavored with savory sauce and mayonnaise, it has a nostalgic taste reminiscent of classic Japanese snack shops. The large size is perfect for sharing between two people.

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On certain days, you can watch a demonstration of traditional kinako-dama (roasted soybean flour candy) being made. Freshly prepared, warm, and soft candy is available to enjoy.

In the summer, they also offer "Nama Fruit Ame," fresh seasonal fruits coated in a thin layer of candy. This stylish treat is perfect for snacking while strolling around.

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Kasho Umon is a confectionery shop headquartered and operated in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, with several retail locations throughout the city. The shop specializes in sweets made from sweet potatoes.

Located in Kashiya Yokocho (Penny Candy Alley), this specialty store offers freshly fried "Kawagoe Kenpi" sweet potato sticks and soft serve ice cream. The retro storefront blends perfectly with the nostalgic atmosphere of the historic streetscape.

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The popular "Kawagoe Kenpi" features freshly fried sweet potato sticks coated in house-made sweet potato syrup.

Enjoy their crisp texture and natural sweetness—these easy-to-eat snacks are perfect for strolling and sharing on a date.

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The "Sweet Potato Soft Serve Ice Cream" is served in a smaller size, making it easy to enjoy even after a meal.

You can choose from milk flavor or a mix of milk and purple sweet potato, both known for their smooth texture and subtle sweetness. A stick of "Kawagoe Kenpi" (crispy sweet potato snack) is also included as a special touch.

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Located about a 7-minute walk from Kawagoe City Hall, Kasho Umon is a confectionery shop in Kashiya Yokocho specializing in sweets made with sweet potatoes.

The shop is housed in a traditional wooden building that blends seamlessly with the historic streetscape. With a wide storefront, it offers a selection of sweets perfect for souvenirs, street snacks, and also features an eat-in area for customers to enjoy their treats on site.

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The specialty here is the "Imo Koi," a steamed sweet that is prepared right at the front of the restaurant. Many customers are drawn in by the inviting aroma and billowing steam, making it hard to resist purchasing one.

Inside the chewy dough, you'll find a slice of sweet potato and chunky red bean paste. The moist texture of the potato combined with the gentle sweetness creates a delightful flavor.

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They also offer "warabi mochi," freshly made in-store every morning. It is said to be exceptionally soft, with a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

It's available in small portions perfect for snacking on the go, or in larger sizes ideal for sharing on a date.

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A specialty sweet potato dessert shop located about a 6-minute walk from Kawagoe City Hall, right at the entrance of Kashiya Yokocho. It is operated by the neighboring Kawagoe Bakery Rakuraku.

Look for the sweet-potato purple sign and the yellow awning. This shop offers take-away only.

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The signature item here is the Sweet Potato Pie—a croissant pastry filled with rich, sweet "Mitsuimo" sweet potato and baked to perfection.

Enjoy the crisp, buttery layers followed by the natural sweetness of Japanese sweet potato. Variations with apple or rare cheesecake are also available.

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Recommended as a souvenir from your Kawagoe date, the “Kawagoe Matcha and Mitsuimo Melting Bread Cake” offers a unique, bread-like texture unlike any other cake.

This delicacy features a matcha-infused dough baked with sweet azuki beans inside. Available in limited quantities, it is highly sought-after. Packaged in a sturdy box, it is easy to carry and maintains its shape well.

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LEMONADE by Lemonica is a specialty lemonade stand with locations across Japan. The Kawagoe branch is situated about a 7-minute walk west from Kawagoe City Hall, along Kashiya Yokocho.

The exterior is designed to resemble a traditional storehouse, blending seamlessly with the historic streetscape. Inside, the long counter and stylish decor feature a white base accented with lemon yellow, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.

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They source the best lemons from around the world and extract the juice at their domestic factory without applying heat or pressure, creating a pure lemonade base.

The classic "Original Lemonade" contains syrup for a gentle sweetness, making it easy to drink without being overly tart.

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Enjoy a variety of lemonade options, from "Soda Lemonade" mixed with sparkling water, to fresh-squeezed blends and hot lemonade.

For a date, why not try customizing the tartness or adding carbonation, and have fun sampling and comparing different flavors together?