Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Jinja — Attraction in Saitama

Hikawa Shrine visit really begins from the bus stop on the main road in front of the 7-Eleven. Cross the street and you have a beautiful 900 meter tree-lined pedestrian walk that takes you to the main entrance of Hikawa Shrine. Along the sides of the broad walk you can find the occasional coffee shop or drinks shop if you'd like a break.

The Shrine itself is tranquil with natural beauty all around you...it's hard to believe you're in Central Omiya! The architecture of the Shinto Shrine buildings is beautiful and worth several shots if you are a photographer. Overall this is a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to "get peaceful" in...

境内の周囲は住宅地であるのに、境内は木々が生い茂っている自然豊かな神社です。武蔵国の中で最も格式の高い一宮の神社ですが、いわゆる高い格式に伴う排他的な雰囲気は無く、1時間もあれば全て周遊できる程度の境内の広さです。年末年始であれば初詣客で混雑しますが、それ以外の季節は特に神事を始めイベントでもない限り、休日でもそれほど混雑しておらず、ゆっくりと境内を散策することが出来ます。 神社そのものは大宮駅、もしくは北大宮駅から行くと近いですが、大宮駅からでも10分以上を要します。そのため、車を使って参拝する人が多く、神社の周囲にはいくつもの駐車場が完備されています。日本一参道が長い神社としても知られ、一の鳥居から2kmもあります（一の鳥居の最寄り駅は『さいたま新都心駅』です）。ウォーキングを兼ねて参拝する人も多く見られます。 境内の建物の中でとりわけ目を引くのが楼門で、鮮やかな朱色が厳格さの中にも華やかな印象を醸し出しています。大宮アルディージャの必勝祈願として、選手やサポーターが参拝することもあり、彼らのサイン入りの絵馬等、大宮アルディージャに纏わる品々が境内に点在しています。

The shrine is surrounded by a residential area, yet the precincts are lush with trees and nature. Although it's the most prestigious shrine in Musashi Province, it does not have the exclusive atmosphere that comes with high prestige, and the precincts are large enough that you can tour them all in an hour. During the year-end and New Year holidays, the shrine is crowded with New Year's visitors, but during the rest of the year, it's not so crowded even on holidays, unless there is a special event such as a Shinto ritual, and you can take a leisurely stroll around the grounds. The shrine itself is close to Omiya Station or Kita Omiya Station, but even from Omiya Station it takes more than 10 minutes to get there. Many people visit the shrine by car, and there are many parking lots around the shrine. The approach to the shrine is also known as the longest in Japan, stretching 2 km from the first torii gate (the nearest station to the first torii gate is Saitama Shin Toshin Station). Many people come to the shrine for exercise as well. One of the most eye-catching buildings in the precincts is the Rou-mon, with its bright vermilion color creating a gorgeous impression. The players and supporters of Omiya Ardija often visit the shrine to pray for the team's victory, and there are many Omiya Ardija-related items scattered around the precincts, including votive plaques signed by...

This is a historic shrine set in a beautiful park with water features, ducks, koi and turtles. The sense of peace and tranquility fills you as soon as you enter.

We happened upon it by accident, walking back from the Bonzai Village. It was so beautiful, and we enjoyed playing our respects at the temples inside, as well as veiring the gardens and wildlife.

The koi were especially friendly. There are signs warning not to feed them.

Thought the park, there is a children's playground, and a zoo as well. We returned the next day to...