The main street is lined with magnificent two-storied historical buildings. Without modern skyscrapers in sight, it even looks like a perfect movie set, but the town is alive. 
Kawagoe flourished as a commercial town during the Meiji Era. After the much of the town was destroyed by a fire in 1889, they built fire-proof "kura-zukuri" (warehouse style) houses which remain until today. The symbolic wooden bell tower was also rebuilt then. It was fortunate and miraculous that the town survived the war without major bombing.
You will find many shops along the street selling sweets and snacks made of sweet potato, a local specialty.
The Honmaru Goten (main hall) of Kawagoe Castle still remains on the original site. It is the only honmaru goten building remains in Eastern Japan.
Kawagoe Shrine is also worth a stop. There are various types of omikuji (fortune slips) sold. The fishing one is fun and the most popular.
It is a picturesque town easily accessible from Tokyo.