Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine

The Hikawa Shrine in Omiya was originally located as the Ichinomiya of Musashi Province and has been enshrined since ancient times. It was moved to its current location later on. It already existed as a shrine during the Heian period, and later, the wife of Minamoto no Yoshiie visited the shrine for the recovery of her illness, and its reputation spread. During the Edo period, it received the respect of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Tokugawa Shogunate, and many visitors came from the city to worship. In addition, the shrine houses a wealth of cultural assets, including old gods, paintings, books, and old documents, which have important cultural value. In terms of festivals, the Nagoshi-no-Harae is held every year on June 30th and attracts many believers. The Hikawa Shrine in Omiya, which is rooted in history and culture, is a very attractive presence for local residents and tourists alike.

Within the grounds of Hikawa Shrine in Omiya, there are various rocks of different sizes scattered about, but the most famous of them all are the "scree stones". These stones refer to the small stones that gather around the sacred stone, which is considered the object of worship. The exact age of the scree stones is unknown, but it is believed that they have been around since ancient times, along with the history of Hikawa Shrine. The scree stones are formed by a collection of stones of various sizes, and their shape and structure are incredibly beautiful, captivating many people. Each scree stone has its own name, and some are said to grant wishes when prayed to. As a result, many faithful people visit and touch the stones or offer them as offerings with their wishes in mind. The scree stones are one of the symbols of Hikawa Shrine and are loved by many people.

At Hikawa Shrine in Omiya, the "Setsubun Festival" is held during the Setsubun season. Setsubun is a custom to celebrate the beginning of spring and drive away evil spirits. On the day of the Setsubun Festival at Hikawa Shrine, events such as bean-throwing, selecting a lucky man, and "oni-oi" are held. In particular, "oni-oi" is a procession where people wearing masks parade around and children and visitors throw beans to drive away evil spirits. Also, on the day of the Setsubun Festival, a large bean is decorated in front of the main hall of Hikawa Shrine, and if you obtain that bean, you can wish for good health for the year. The Setsubun Festival, which is attended by many people, is one of the most colorful festivals at Hikawa Shrine.

Around Hikawa Shrine in Omiya, there are many restaurants where you can enjoy delicious meals after visiting the shrine or sightseeing. There are various genres of restaurants such as Japanese, Western, Chinese, and Korean cuisine. Lunch and cafes are also plentiful. In addition, there are many local souvenir shops, so you can also enjoy choosing souvenirs. Among them, the gourmet food of Omiya includes Kawagoe fried shamo, popular ramen in Saitama City, yakiniku, soba, and more. There are many restaurants around Omiya Station, so you are sure to find your favorite meal.

Hikawa Shrine in Omiya has been a place of faith since ancient times and is considered a power spot by many people. There are many other shrines around the shrine, where you can feel the power of the gods. In addition, the approach to Hikawa Shrine is lined with stone steps, allowing you to refresh your mind and body in nature by walking along the approach. Furthermore, there is "Goshinsui," a spiritual water that flows in Hikawa Shrine, and it is said that drinking the water purifies both the mind and body. There are various power spots within the shrine, and each place is said to have its own effect. Hikawa Shrine is loved by many people as a place to heal the fatigue of daily life.

At Omiya's Hikawa Shrine, many festivals and events are held, and food stalls are set up during these times. These stalls sell local specialties and souvenirs, and are popular among many visitors and tourists. Additionally, there are many stalls and a wide variety of food, so you can enjoy them without getting bored no matter how many times you come. Some stalls even offer special dishes and drinks that can only be tasted during Hikawa Shrine's festival, the "Hikawa Shrine Reitaisai". By enjoying the food stalls, you can also experience the culture and customs of Hikawa Shrine.