Written by Patrick Balfe
Kawagoe Hikawa Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Kawagoe in Saitama. The shrine was first established in 541 and is revered by locals as a guardian of the nearby Kawagoe Castle and town itself. The shrine has close ties to love and matchmaking and, as such, is a popular spot for weddings.
What to expect
The shrine also plays host to regular festivals and events, including monthly festivals on the 1st and 15th of every month. On top of that, there are numerous seasonal festivals each season, most popular of which is the Enmusubi Wind Chime Festival, which typically happens from late June to mid-September.
The grounds of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine are fairly large, with two torii gates, multiple halls, and a sub-shrine. Throughout the halls are numerous ancient works of art and cultural assets of historical significance, such as ancient scrolls, weapons, ema plaques, and suits of armor.
Getting there
By public transport, it’s easiest to get to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine by bus from one of two nearby train stations. From Kawagoe Station on the JR or Tobu Tojo lines, take the Tobu bus bound for Saitama Medical University and get off at stop number 7, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Or, if you get the Tobu bus bound for Shinmeicho Garage or Josai High School, get off at stop number 1, Kitamachi, and walk for 5 minutes.
There’s also a Koedo Junkai bus from Kawagoe station, which does a tourist loop and has a stop at Hikawa Shrine.
The same as above goes if you’re catching a bus from Hon-Kawagoe Station.
- 1.5 km from Hon-Kawagoe Station Seibu Shinjuku Line (SS29)
- 1.8 km from Kawagoeshi Station Tōbu Tōjō Line (TJ22)
