About Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, located in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, is a shrine that is popular among couples and women because it is believed to bring good luck in matchmaking and romantic fulfillment. The shrine was founded more than 1,500 years ago and has been well known to the people of Kawagoe throughout its long history. Today, it is still a favorite spot for both locals and tourists alike, attracting visitors with its beautiful grounds and diverse benefits.
First of all, the greatest attraction of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is its reputation as a shrine of matchmaking. The shrine enshrines Susanoo no Mikoto, the god of married couples, and his consort Kushinadahime no Mikoto as its main deities, and is especially believed in by those who wish for family happiness and a good marriage. The shrine is especially popular among those who wish for family happiness and good marriages. In addition, a small amulet called a “match-making ball” is particularly popular. It is awarded after each piece of gravel on the temple grounds has been hand-picked and purified, and many people take it home with them to cherish as a wish for the fulfillment of their love.
The precincts of the shrine are both sacred and beautifully landscaped, and visitors can spend a calming time while strolling around. The “Fu-ring Festival,” a summer tradition at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, is especially popular. During this festival, thousands of wind chimes are hung within the shrine grounds, creating a cool sound whenever the wind blows. The colorful colors of the wind chimes, combined with the shrine's summer green surroundings, create a fantastic and beautiful scene. While the wind chimes shining in the sunlight during the day are beautiful, at night they are illuminated, attracting many couples and photo enthusiasts who come to enjoy a different fantastic space from that of the day.
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine also has a spot called “Ema Tunnel,” a tunnel-like passageway with countless votive ema (votive picture horses), which is a sight to behold. By walking through this tunnel, visitors can come into contact with the wishes of other visitors and feel the power of the shrine's matchmaking rituals and the depth of their faith. Each ema (votive tablet) contains a wish for love and marriage, which brings kindness and compassion to the hearts of those who see them.
Furthermore, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is known for its various events and activities throughout the year. For example, Hatsumode (New Year's visit), Fu-ring Festival (summer festival), Tanabata Festival (Star Festival), and many other events allow visitors to experience traditional Japanese culture in each of the four seasons. The shrine is also a popular venue for weddings, and brides and grooms dressed in kimono can be seen having their pictures taken at the shrine, so you may be able to see beautiful traditional costumes when you visit.
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is easily accessible from the surrounding Kawagoe sightseeing spots, making it an easy stop during a stroll. You can feel the power of marriage while visiting the shrine in a space surrounded by historical architecture and beautiful nature, and you can enjoy seasonal attractions such as the Fu-ring Festival and the Ema Tunnel, so you will discover new charms no matter how many times you visit. The wind-bell festival and ema (votive picture tablet) tunnel are seasonal attractions that can be enjoyed each time you visit the shrine, making it a must-visit shrine along with the elegant streets of Kawagoe.