A little removed from other sights in Kawagoe is Hikawa Shrine 川越氷川神社, a tranquil sanctuary with trees over 500 years old. The impressive entrance gate, called a torii, stands 15 meters tall (almost 50 feet). The shrine has its roots back to the 6th century, though the current buildings are much newer.
Hikawa Shrine Torii Gates
Hikawa enshrines the god of married couples, so many people go to pray for happy marriages or to find a spouse. It is a popular choice for weddings and you may see a bride wearing a shiromuku, a traditional pure white kimono used in weddings.
Hikawa Shrine in Kawagoe
Many special events happen throughout the year, including some that may come as a surprise for foreign tourists. In February, there are prayers for “traffic safety and achievements in studies” and “purification of student’s leather backpacks”. In August, there is the Takigi Noh which is a Noh dance performed by the light of a bonfire, and in mid October, the famous Kawagoe Festival.
Two Wind Chime tunnels dubbed the ‘Tunnels of Love’ are also prepared by the shrine to celebrate the Tanabata festival. The first tunnel located in front of the shrine has 888 small wooden plaques written by the shrine’s worshipers, all which are hanging from the wind-chimes.
Wind Chime Tunnel of Love at Hikawa Shrine
The second love tunnel located inside the shrine has wooden plaques where you can write your own prayers or wishes.
At night the stream running through the shrine is lit up with amazing visual effects, very magical as you can see in the video.
Musubi Cafe at Hikawa Shrine (Photo: musubicafe.com)
The shrine also has a exquisite restaurant called the Musubi cafe むすび, that serves beautifully prepared and delicious meals and desserts. A gift shop is also in the cafe with books, textiles and items to remember your visit. The website is in Japanese http://musubicafe.com.
Hikawa Shrine is located at the Hikawa Shrine bus stop on the Eagle line or the Miyashita-machi stop on the Tobu line.
The Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine website is in Japanese and has a cool design worth checking out: http://www.kawagoehikawa.jp
