Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is a historic shrine that is said to have been built around 1500 years ago. The main shrine features elaborate engravings, and it has been designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
The 5 kami (Shinto gods) enshrined here form a family, and as such they are worshipped as kami related to family harmony, marital happiness, and marriage. Recently, the shrine has become known as a “power spot” for marriage, and many people visit to worship in hopes of obtaining luck in finding a marriage partner. Relationships are not only about romance, but they include work, friends, and family too, so the shrine offers a wide variety of relationship charms – be sure to find one that suits your wishes!
Be sure to also stop by the Ema Tunnel, a famous feature of the shrine. Ema are wooden tablets offered to the shrine in order to make requests of the kami or to thank them for a wish that has come true. Visitors can walk through the mysterious atmosphere of the tunnel, which is decorated with around 30,000 ema. Of course, you can have your own ema hung as well, so why not take the chance to make a request of your own to the kami?
Highlights
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The Ema Tunnel is one of the highlights of the shrine. Be sure to walk through!
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During the summer, the shrine hosts the Shinto ritual “Enmusubi Windchimes,” where over 2,000 wind chimes are on display.
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The shrine’s 2 types of red snapper omikuji (fortune slips), “ichinen antai mikuji” and “ai tai mikuji,” are popular. Fishing up the omikuji using a fishing rod is a unique experience!
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If you go to worship early in the morning, you may be able to get one of the 20 limited-quantity “enmusubi-dama” given out each day.
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