I had the opportunity to stroll down historic Ichibangai Street on a brief layover in Tokyo en route to Indonesia. One slips back in time to Edo period Tokyo as one ambles this well-preserved neighborhood 30 minutes from the monstrous metropolis. Kawagoe’s distinctive architecture evolved during the Meiji era, when fire-resistant kura (storehouses) were built for merchant families. Ladies dressed in their finest kimonos fit in with their environs beautifully. I met my long time friend Kevin-san there - he has lived in Japan for 30 years - he and his wife Yoko live an hour north of Tokyo.
