Shrines often develop a reputation for certain worldly benefits, such as money-making, easy child birth, or fostering good relationships. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, is said to promote good matchmaking and marital harmony. The following amended report is taken from Gaijin Pot Travel and was written by Abhijit Sen.

Photo by: PIXTA/degu66

The shrine has an impressive torii (shrine gate) that stands 15 meters tall. The gate is painted in a bright orange color and is believed to be one of the largest wooden torii in the country. Walking under this magnificent gate is sure to be an exciting experience for anyone visiting the shrine.

A highlight is the main shrine building, which dates to the late Edo Period. The main hall is decorated with exquisite carvings known as Edo-bori, a unique style of carving that originated in the Kanto region. These intricate sculptures were carved over seven years by skilled craftsmen Genzo Shimamura and Iwajiro Iida.

The shrine is home to sacred trees,  the most popular being the one behind the main shrine. Around 600 years old, this zelkova tree is surrounded by a stone path. Sacred water springs from beneath the shrine and is revered for purifying mind and body.

At the shrine, there’s a popular attraction called ‘the ema tunnel’. It’s a wooden, open-air structure that’s decorated with thousands of ema (wooden prayer plaques). Visitors to the shrine can write on their own and add them to the collection to express gratitude or make wishes.

Annual Shrine Events

Wind chimes (Photo by: PIXTA/takakichi)

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine hosts several annual festivals, including the summer wind chime festival, when over 2,000 wind chimes are displayed on the shrine’s grounds. The annual Shinko Festival on October 14 and 15 is the largest of the year, featuring a float festival that has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. A special feature at New Year is that visitors can use a small fishing rod to catch fish-shaped omikuji (fortune slip).

The shrine is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. It is situated near the Shingashi River, which boasts approximately 150 cherry blossom trees spanning a 500-meter stretch.