Meiji-kura, home to the "Souvenir Shop," was built in the mid-Meiji period. The roof structure makes full use of the natural curves of the wood, creating an impressive framework of intersecting beams and rafters. The facility houses the retail shops "Koedo Kagamiyama Sake Brewery" and "Nekoya Nyankichi," "Kura Cafe," where you can enjoy light meals and soft drinks, and "Kurazato Selection," which sells sweets, food, and folk crafts.
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
At Kagamiyama Brewery, rooted in the land of Kawagoe, we craft our sake with meticulous care, using “Sake Musashi”—Saitama Prefecture’s prized sake-brewing rice—as our main ingredient to bring out the rice’s natural umami to the fullest. Characterized by a rich, complex flavor and a smooth mouthfeel, the rich aroma and depth that unfold the moment you take a sip allow you to experience the true charm of sake.Blending traditional techniques with a modern sensibility, this sake is perfect not only for enjoying with a meal but also for special moments that enhance a leisurely, relaxing time. We invite you to savor this flavorful sake, which reflects the climate and history of Kawagoe.
- Junmai Ginjo
- A rich, expansive flavor with depth. It has a harmonious, refined aroma.
- Junmai sake
- This rich, full-bodied flavor fully brings out the rice's rich, savory notes.
- Junmai Daiginjo
- It boasts a rich, savory flavor that fully captures the essence of Yamada Nishiki rice.
- Ginjo sake
- It has a crisp, clean, and dry flavor.
- Daiginjo
- This is a rich, dry daiginjo sake enveloped in a classic ginjo aroma.
- Hand-bottled Daiginjo
- This rare daiginjo is crafted by placing the mash into individual bags and hanging them, then collecting the sake that drips down naturally into large casks. It is the brewery’s prized treasure, often entered into various competitions.
- Standing Bar Area
- You can sample and select from a variety of Japanese sakes, including seasonal limited-edition brews and premium daiginjo, through our paid tasting service. (Last order at 5:00 PM)
"Nekoya Nyankichi" is a specialty shop in Kawagoe, Saitama, dedicated to local food and goods. Based on the concept of "items with a story" that you’ll want to share with others, we carefully select and offer products that embody Kawagoe’s unique food culture, scenery, and the passion of local artisans. Each item has its own background and story, and we’re confident you’ll feel its charm every time you pick it up.Perfect as souvenirs for tourists, these items are also highly recommended as personal treats to add a touch of something special to your everyday life. We invite you to discover “items with a story” that you can only find here—ones you’ll want to share with others.
Who made it, where, and with what intention?—
We offer a curated selection of exceptional items that allow you to truly appreciate the background and story behind each one. We cherish everything from the craftsmanship of the creators and the local culture to the time-honored techniques and the charm born of innovative ideas. We deliver these items not merely as products, but as “stories worth sharing.”
Located inside Meiji Kura, this cozy café offers a peaceful retreat where you can relax between sightseeing and shopping. We offer a wide variety of menu items, including coffee, tea, and other soft drinks, as well as spaghetti, light meals, and desserts featuring Kawagoe’s signature sweet potatoes. It’s the perfect spot to take a break from your travels and enjoy a leisurely moment in a space where you can soak up the charm of this historic warehouse. Whether you’re visiting alone or with friends and family, we invite you to enjoy a relaxing and peaceful time here.
Lunch
- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
- Napolitan Spaghetti
Dessert
- Sweet Potato Pudding
- Shiratama Cream Anmitsu
- Coffee Jelly
Other
Kurari Selection
At the Kurazato Selection, we offer a wide variety of items perfect as souvenirs from Kawagoe, including exclusive Kurazato-limited (original) products available only here at Meiji Kura. From carefully curated items created in collaboration with local long-established and popular shops to masterpieces showcasing the skills of artisans, our selection is packed with unique treasures you can find nowhere else.From sweets and processed foods made with our famous sweet potatoes to products that make the most of Kawagoe’s unique ingredients and climate, our extensive lineup is a delight to browse. Perfect not only for your own enjoyment but also as souvenirs or gifts for loved ones, these items will enrich your memories of Kawagoe. We invite you to savor these special treasures—there’s always something new to discover with every visit.
Amata Karin
A taste of Kawagoe: sweet potato filling wrapped in smooth red bean paste, with bamboo charcoal and golden sesame seeds kneaded into the dough. Deep-fried in oil, the three layers create a rich, aromatic flavor.
Kurazato Exclusive (Original) Product [Monzoan]
COEDO Beer
At COEDO, we offer a wide range of beers and drinking experiences, from our one-of-a-kind crimson “Japanese” beer made from sweet potatoes to our classic golden Pilsner.
Now available at Koedo Kagamiyama Brewery. [Koedo Brewery]
Assorted rice crackers
Located in "Little Edo" Kawagoe, Toyodo has been in business for over 100 years since 1902. Now in its fourth generation, this long-established shop continues to preserve its traditional flavors. We carefully select our ingredients and use time-honored methods where everything is made by hand. This isn’t simply a matter of tradition; it reflects the dedication unique to a long-established business, ensuring that every step of the process is carried out with the utmost care to deliver the best possible product to our customers.
[Toyo-do]
Potato Love
"Imo Koi" is a popular treat featuring a perfect blend of sweet potato and coarse red bean paste, harmoniously paired with a chewy dough. Its gentle sweetness spreads throughout your mouth as the fluffy sweet potato and refined coarse red bean paste melt together just right, offering a nostalgic and heartwarming flavor. It’s highly recommended as a snack or souvenir.
*Limited Edition [Kashō Umon]
soy sauce
Made from carefully selected wheat and whole soybeans, this soy sauce brings out the full umami of these high-quality ingredients. Using Japan’s traditional natural brewing method, it is slowly aged and fermented in wooden barrels for approximately two years, relying on the power of nature. Characterized by its deep richness, mellow flavor, and rich aroma, this soy sauce enhances the natural taste of any dish.
[Matsumoto Soy Sauce Store]
in the middle
This premium monaka features a rich, flavorful filling made from the highest-quality Hokkaido adzuki beans, carefully sandwiched between fragrant monaka shells crafted from Niigata-grown Kogane mochi rice. The refined sweetness and depth of the adzuki beans harmonize perfectly with the light, crisp texture of the monaka shells, delivering a luxurious taste with every bite. It is a true masterpiece, ideal not only as a treat to enjoy with tea but also as a thoughtful gift.
[Kameya]
Kawagoe Soda
Kawagoe Cider presents "Saimō," a refreshing beverage that lets you enjoy the gentle flavor of sweet potatoes. With a bold, carbonated finish that delivers a satisfying fizz, it offers a crisp, refreshing mouthfeel, followed by a subtle, lingering sweetness of sweet potatoes in the aftertaste. Featuring a unique flavor that captures the essence of Kawagoe, this cider is perfect for a break during your sightseeing or as a souvenir.
Kawagoe Karazashi
This traditional textile traces its origins to "Tōsan," a striped cotton fabric introduced from Southeast Asia during the Edo period. Characterized by a texture as soft as silk and beautiful vertical stripes that evoke an exotic atmosphere, it has long been cherished as a stylish garment. Among these, the fabric produced in Kawagoe was renowned for its high quality and gained such popularity that it came to be known as "Kawato."Today, its charm lives on, and it remains a beloved, high-quality fabric that adds a touch of color to everyday life.