Saitama Prefecture is home to over 280 shrines bearing the name “Hikawa Shrine,” and two stand out as the most popular: Omiya Hikawa Shrine and Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Although they share the same name, their omikuji offerings and blessings differ dramatically. Omiya Hikawa Shrine boasts over 2,400 years of history as Musashi Province’s Ichinomiya (highest-ranked shrine), while Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine has gained nationwide fame for its sea bream-shaped “Tai-mikuji” omikuji and the daily limited-edition “En-musubi Tama” (bonding stones). This article covers everything you need to know before visiting: omikuji types, prices, locations, hours, and access for both shrines.
御要旨
- Omiya Hikawa Shrine Offers Three Types of Omikuji Starting at 200 Yen
- Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s Tai-mikuji: An Omikuji You “Fish” Out
- Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s En-musubi Tama: 20 Per Day, Starting at 8 AM
- Omiya and Kawagoe Hikawa Shrines Differ in Both Blessings and Omikuji
- Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Offers Seasonal Limited Omikuji and Events
- Omiya Hikawa Shrine’s Approach Is About 2 Kilometers Long — Japan’s Longest
- Access to Both Shrines and Useful Nearby Information
- Kawagoe’s “Little Edo” Streetscape Offers Great Street Food Near the Shrine
- After Drawing Your Omikuji, If You Cannot Decide Whether to Tie or Take It Home, Take It Home
- Final Thoughts
Omiya Hikawa Shrine Offers Three Types of Omikuji Starting at 200 Yen
Omiya Hikawa Shrine (official name: Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine) is the Ichinomiya of Musashi Province, located in Omiya Ward, Saitama City. It is said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Kosho, giving it over 2,400 years of history (Source: Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine Official Website). In the first year of the Meiji era, Emperor Meiji personally conducted a ceremony here, and the shrine was elevated to the rank of Kanpei Taisha (government grand shrine).
The omikuji available at Omiya Hikawa Shrine are as follows:
| Omikuji Type | Offering Fee | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Standard omikuji | 200 yen | Traditional paper omikuji with waka poem and fortune |
| Hime-mikuji | 300 yen | Small doll-shaped omikuji with the fortune inside |
| Children’s omikuji | 200 yen | Omikuji written in simple language for children |
The most popular omikuji at Omiya Hikawa Shrine is the “Hime-mikuji.” A rounded little doll contains the omikuji inside, and after reading the fortune, you can take the doll home as a charm. Its adorable appearance makes it a frequent feature on social media, especially popular among young women. (Many people display the Hime-mikuji doll in their rooms.)
Where and When to Draw Omikuji at Omiya Hikawa Shrine
Omikuji are available at the Juyosho (charm distribution office) near the Haiden (worship hall). The hours are as follows:
- Spring and Autumn (March, April, September, October): 5:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Summer (May – August): 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Winter (November – February): 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
During the New Year period, special hours are in effect, with the gate opening at midnight on New Year’s Day for all-day access and extended hours on January 2 and 3. The approach becomes extremely crowded during hatsumode, so visiting after the first three days is one option if you want a more relaxed omikuji experience.
Fortune Rankings and How to Interpret Omiya Hikawa Shrine Omikuji
Omiya Hikawa Shrine omikuji use the standard six-tier ranking system: Daikichi, Kichi, Chukichi, Shokichi, Suekichi, and Kyo. Each omikuji includes a waka poem, and the poem is said to contain the true message from the gods, beyond just the ranking. A modern Japanese interpretation is provided alongside the poem, making it accessible even to those unfamiliar with classical language.
Categories such as “awaited person,” “lost items,” “business,” and “studies” are also included. Many visitors pay particular attention to career and business fortune. (Given the shrine’s status as Musashi Province’s Ichinomiya, it is no surprise that many people visit for business success prayers.)
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s Tai-mikuji: An Omikuji You “Fish” Out
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is an en-musubi (bond-tying) shrine located in Kawagoe City, about 30 minutes by train from Saitama City. Five deities are enshrined here, two pairs of which are married couples, giving the shrine its longstanding reputation for en-musubi blessings (Source: Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Official Website).
The most famous omikuji at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is the “Tai-mikuji” — a sea bream-shaped omikuji that you “fish out” with a miniature fishing rod, a truly unique experience.
Two Types of Tai-mikuji Let You Choose by Purpose
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine offers two varieties of Tai-mikuji:
| Tai-mikuji Type | Offering Fee | Color | Blessing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ichinen Antai Mikuji | 300 yen | Red | Overall luck and good fortune |
| Ai-tai Mikuji | 300 yen | Pink | Romance and finding a good match |
The “Ichinen Antai (a year of peace) Mikuji” is a red sea bream omikuji wishing for a peaceful year. The name is a play on words, combining “antai” (peace/stability) with “tai” (sea bream). The “Ai-tai Mikuji” is a pink sea bream, punning on “aitai” (want to meet) and “tai” (sea bream), focused on romantic fortune.
Both contain a paper omikuji inside the small sea bream, and after reading it, you can take the sea bream home as a decorative charm. (The scene of friends or couples fishing up their tai-mikuji together has become a signature sight at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.)
How to Draw Tai-mikuji: “Fish” with a Rod
Drawing a Tai-mikuji is nothing like a standard omikuji. Here is the process:
- Go to the Tai-mikuji area in front of the Juyosho
- Choose either the red tai (Ichinen Antai) or pink tai (Ai-tai)
- Pick up one of the small fishing rods provided
- Hook the loop on the sea bream’s back and fish it out
- Pay the 300-yen offering fee
- Open the sea bream and read the omikuji paper inside
The fishing rods are small so no strength is required, but hooking the exact tai you want takes a bit of skill. The “fishing” experience itself is what makes it so enjoyable, captivating visitors from children to adults. (You will often see people making several attempts to snag their chosen tai, which becomes a fun memory in itself.)
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s En-musubi Tama: 20 Per Day, Starting at 8 AM
Alongside the Tai-mikuji, the “En-musubi Tama” (bonding stones) are one of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s most sought-after items. These are small stones collected one by one by shrine maidens from the grounds, wrapped in hemp netting, and purified by the priests. Carrying one is said to bring good romantic connections.
How to Get an En-musubi Tama and What to Know
En-musubi Tama are distributed for free starting at 8:00 AM each morning, but only 20 are available per day. Here are the key details:
- Distribution starts at 8:00 AM daily (ends when all are given out)
- Limited to 20 per day, one per person
- Free of charge
- First-come, first-served (no ticket system)
- On weekends and auspicious days (Taian), people line up from early morning
On weekends, some visitors start lining up as early as 6:00 AM. On weekdays, arriving around 7:30 AM gives you a good chance, but if you want to be certain, arriving before 7:00 AM is recommended. (Early winter mornings can be bitterly cold, so dress warmly.)
What to Do After Receiving Your En-musubi Tama
Keep your En-musubi Tama as a charm for good romantic connections. When you are blessed with a good relationship, you return the stone to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and receive a special charm called “Yui-himo no Moto” in exchange.
There is no problem with keeping it for a long time without returning it, but the act of returning it when love finds you is a beautiful tradition unique to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The cycle of “receiving a bond and returning gratitude” deepens your connection with the shrine.
Omiya and Kawagoe Hikawa Shrines Differ in Both Blessings and Omikuji
Despite sharing the name “Hikawa Shrine,” Omiya and Kawagoe have distinctly different blessing profiles. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
| Comparison | Omiya Hikawa Shrine | Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine | Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine |
| Founded | Over 2,400 years ago | About 1,500 years ago (Emperor Kimmei, Year 2) |
| Main blessings | Protection from misfortune, good fortune, business success | En-musubi (tying bonds), marital harmony, family harmony |
| Enshrined deities | Susanoo no Mikoto, Inadahime no Mikoto, Onamuchi no Mikoto | Susanoo no Mikoto, Kushiinadahime no Mikoto, and three others |
| Omikuji types | Standard, Hime-mikuji, Children’s omikuji | Tai-mikuji (red and pink), Standard omikuji |
| Omikuji style | Traditional with waka poem | Experience-based: fish out a sea bream |
| Signature item | Hime-mikuji (doll-shaped) | En-musubi Tama (20/day, limited) |
| Visitor profile | Hatsumode, Shichi-Go-San, protection from misfortune | Romance success, finding a good match, couples |
Omiya Hikawa Shrine’s greatest appeal is its prestige and history as Musashi Province’s Ichinomiya, making it well-suited for those seeking protection from misfortune or career blessings. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, on the other hand, is characterized by its en-musubi-focused blessings and experience-based omikuji, making it ideal for those looking to improve their romantic fortune or visit as a couple.
Both shrines enshrine Susanoo no Mikoto and Inadahime no Mikoto, but Omiya emphasizes the protective and fortune-bringing aspects, while Kawagoe highlights the marital bond between the divine couple. (The fact that the same deities can be presented with such different emphases is one of the fascinating aspects of shrine culture.)
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Offers Seasonal Limited Omikuji and Events
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is known for its rich calendar of seasonal events and limited-edition offerings, attracting many repeat visitors.
Summer Highlight: “En-musubi Furin” and Limited Omikuji
Held annually from early July to early September, the “En-musubi Furin” (bonding wind chimes) festival is Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s signature summer event. Over 2,000 Edo-style wind chimes are hung throughout the grounds, filling the air with their refreshing sounds.
During this period, special wind chime-themed tanzaku strips and seasonal charm designs sometimes appear. Evening illuminations transform the shrine into a fantastical space quite different from its daytime appearance. (A search for “Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine wind chimes” on Instagram yields thousands of stunning photos.)
New Year Brings Special Omikuji and Seasonal Items
During the hatsumode season, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine may offer New Year-exclusive items alongside the regular Tai-mikuji. The specific offerings vary by year, but the prospect of special seasonal designs makes a New Year visit especially rewarding.
However, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine gets extremely crowded during the New Year. Waiting one to two hours just to worship is not uncommon, so plan accordingly and allow plenty of time.
Omiya Hikawa Shrine’s Approach Is About 2 Kilometers Long — Japan’s Longest
Another major highlight of Omiya Hikawa Shrine is its approximately 2-kilometer zelkova-lined approach. Stretching from the first torii to the third torii, it is known as “Japan’s longest shrine approach.”
The first torii, which marks the starting point, is located near Saitama-Shintoshin Station, and from there it is about a 2-kilometer walk to the shrine grounds. Lined with grand zelkova trees on both sides, the approach changes beautifully with the seasons, offering fresh greenery in spring and stunning foliage in autumn.
On the Grounds: Shinchi Pond and Sub-Shrines
Once inside the Omiya Hikawa Shrine grounds, points of interest extend well beyond the main hall and worship hall:
- Shinchi Pond – A pond on the east side of the grounds, said to be a remnant of the ancient Minuma marshland
- Munakata Shrine – A sub-shrine on an island in Shinchi Pond, enshrining Ichikishimahime no Mikoto
- Monkyakujin Shrine – A sub-shrine enshrining the parents of Inadahime no Mikoto
- Romon (tower gate) – A striking vermilion gate in front of the Haiden, a popular photo spot
- Maiden (dance hall) – A stage where sacred kagura dances are performed during festivals
A full tour of Omiya Hikawa Shrine’s spacious grounds takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Make sure to set aside time for a leisurely stroll beyond just drawing your omikuji for a richer worship experience. (The shrine has so many points of interest that rushing through would be a waste.)
Access to Both Shrines and Useful Nearby Information
Omiya Hikawa Shrine and Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine are only about 30 minutes apart by train, making a “Hikawa Shrine double visit” in a single day entirely feasible.
Access to Omiya Hikawa Shrine
| Transportation | Nearest Station / Route | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| JR | About 15 min walk from Omiya Station East Exit | 15 min |
| Tobu Urban Park Line | About 10 min walk from Kita-Omiya Station | 10 min |
| By car | About 15 min from Shintoshin-Nishi IC on the Shuto Expressway Saitama Route | 15 min |
From Omiya Station, the classic route takes you through the second torii and along the approach. Walking the approach is part of the worship experience, making Omiya Station the recommended starting point. (The 15-minute walk from the second torii to the grounds is a pleasant stroll through the zelkova avenue.)
Address: 1-407 Takahana-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture (Source: Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine Official Website)
Access to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
| Transportation | Nearest Station / Route | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tobu Tojo Line | About 10 min by bus from Kawagoe Station to “Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine” stop | About 15 min |
| Seibu Shinjuku Line | About 7 min by bus from Hon-Kawagoe Station to “Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine” stop | About 10 min |
| By car | About 20 min from Kawagoe IC on the Kanetsu Expressway | 20 min |
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is a bit far from the station, so taking a bus or taxi is common. From Hon-Kawagoe Station, it is a 25-minute walk, and taking a route through Kawagoe’s kurazukuri (traditional storehouse) district along Ichibangai street lets you combine sightseeing with your visit.
Address: 2-11-3 Miyashita-cho, Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture (Source: Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Official Website)
A Model Course for Visiting Both in One Day
If you want to visit both Omiya and Kawagoe Hikawa Shrines in a single day, the following route is efficient:
- Morning: Visit Omiya Hikawa Shrine (about 1.5 hours including approach walk and grounds tour)
- Take the JR Kawagoe Line from Omiya Station to Kawagoe Station (about 20 minutes)
- Bus from Kawagoe Station to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (about 10 minutes)
- Draw Tai-mikuji and try for En-musubi Tama at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (about 1 hour)
- Walk to the kurazukuri district and Kashiya Yokocho (about 15 minutes)
- Explore Kawagoe’s historic streets and enjoy street food
If you want to secure an En-musubi Tama, reverse the order: head to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine early in the morning to receive the stone, then continue to Omiya Hikawa Shrine afterward.
Kawagoe’s “Little Edo” Streetscape Offers Great Street Food Near the Shrine
A visit to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine pairs perfectly with exploring Kawagoe’s “Little Edo” townscape. Tourist spots are concentrated within a 10 to 15-minute walk from the shrine.
Key Spots Within Walking Distance of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
- Kurazukuri Street (Ichibangai) – Main street lined with Edo-era storehouse-style buildings. About 15 min walk.
- Toki no Kane (Bell Tower) – Kawagoe’s symbol, still ringing four times daily. Located along Kurazukuri Street.
- Kashiya Yokocho – A nostalgic alley of traditional candy shops. Sweet potato chips and imo soft-serve are popular.
- Kawagoe Kumano Shrine – Known for its “zeniarai benzaiten” (money-washing spring) and financial fortune blessings.
- Kitain Temple – A Tendai Buddhist temple with Tokugawa-era connections, famous for its 500 Rakan statues.
Kawagoe is also known as the “sweet potato town,” with numerous shops specializing in sweet potato treats. From imo yokan to imo chips to imo pudding, the variety of street food is endless.
Spots Near Omiya Hikawa Shrine
Omiya Hikawa Shrine’s surroundings also offer worthwhile stops:
- Omiya Park – A prefectural park adjacent to the shrine. Famous for its approximately 1,000 cherry trees in spring.
- Hikawa Dango – A long-established dango shop along the approach. Grilled dango is the perfect snack for worshippers.
- Omiya Bonsai Art Museum – The world’s first public bonsai museum, where you can learn about the history of Omiya’s bonsai village.
- Saitama-Shintoshin Keyaki Hiroba – A commercial complex near the first torii, convenient for dining and shopping.
Omiya Park is especially worth visiting during spring cherry blossom season. Combining a shrine visit with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is a popular spring outing for locals as well.
After Drawing Your Omikuji, If You Cannot Decide Whether to Tie or Take It Home, Take It Home
Whether at Omiya or Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, many visitors wonder “Should I tie my omikuji or take it home?” The answer is that either is fine. However, considering the original role of omikuji, “taking it home and rereading it” is recommended.
An omikuji is a message from the gods. Reading it once and tying it to a rack is like receiving a letter and immediately discarding it. Keeping it in your wallet or phone case and rereading it from time to time transforms the omikuji’s words into daily guidance.
That said, for Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s Tai-mikuji, the sea bream figure itself is a major part of the fun, so many people take the bream home and tie just the paper omikuji at the shrine. (Placing the bream on your desk means you will be reminded of the shrine’s blessings every day.)
Why You Should Not Feel Down About Drawing Kyo
Some people feel dejected when they draw Kyo (bad luck), but Kyo carries the meaning of “you are at rock bottom, and things will only go up from here.” Just as you would not despair when the weather forecast says “rain today,” a Kyo omikuji simply indicates your current state. In fact, drawing Kyo is the perfect time to carefully read each category (awaited person, business, studies, etc.) and identify the points to watch out for. That is the true way to make use of your omikuji.
Omiya Hikawa Shrine carries the prestige of Musashi Province’s Ichinomiya, so the words of an omikuji drawn there carry real weight. Whether the result is good or not-so-good, receiving it sincerely and reflecting it in your daily actions is the authentic way to enjoy omikuji.
Final Thoughts
Omiya Hikawa Shrine and Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine may share the “Hikawa” name, but they are two distinct shrines with different omikuji types and blessing profiles. At Omiya, you experience worship steeped in over 2,400 years of history and prestige. At Kawagoe, you enjoy experience-based offerings like the Tai-mikuji and En-musubi Tama. Rather than choosing just one, a “Hikawa Shrine double visit” covering both in a single day is highly recommended.
When you cannot make it to a shrine but still want to check your fortune, Omikuji Sando is a great option. It offers a personalized fortune based on your date of birth, with 12 tiers of results available to draw for free every day.
