Kawagoe-Shi, Japan

Although it doesn't look promising on arrival, Kawagoe's compact area of sights, around 1km north of the main station, is aptly described as a "Little Edo", and can easily be toured in a few hours, although once you've browsed the many traditional craft shops and paused to sample the town's culinary delights you'll probably find the day has flown by. This would certainly be the case on the third Saturday and Sunday of October, when Kawagoe's grand matsuri is held, one of the most lively festivals in the Tokyo area, involving about 25 ornate floats (called dashi) and hundreds of costumed revellers.