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Enshrined Deities — The Storm God and Companions
Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Inada-hime & Ōnamuchi
須佐之男命・稲田姫命・大己貴命
Susanoo, the storm god who slew the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi, is the principal deity. Beside him stand his wife Inada-hime, goddess of rice fields and marriage, and their descendant Ōnamuchi (Ōkuninushi), the great nation-builder. Together they govern storms, agriculture, marriage, and the healing arts. As head shrine of approximately 280 Hikawa shrines scattered across the Kantō region, this is the spiritual command center of an ancient shrine network.
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The Essence · 核心价值
核心的価値 — なぜここが特別なのか
核心价值 · 为何与众不同
由緒 · Why It Matters
Hikawa Shrine traces its origins to 473 BCE — over 2,400 years ago — making it one of Japan's oldest shrines. The very name "Ōmiya" (大宮, Great Shrine) derives from this shrine's exalted status as the spiritual heart of Musashi Province, which once encompassed modern-day Tokyo and Saitama. During the Meiji era, it was elevated to the rank of Chokusaisha — a shrine where the Emperor personally dispatches envoys for festivals.
The Minamoto Connection · 頼朝の護持
The Minamoto clan patronized Hikawa Shrine heavily throughout their rise to power. Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate, ordered the shrine's restoration in 1180 before establishing his military government. The shrine's status as head of approximately 280 Hikawa shrines across the Kantō region reflects its ancient significance as the spiritual center of an entire province's sacred network — a role it has maintained for nearly 2,500 years.
▶ 氷川神社の境内 — Experience the sacred shrine · 30 sec
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Plan Your Visit · 交通指南
旅の地図 — アクセス情報
交通指南 · 如何前往
- Ōmiya Station (JR lines, Tōbu Urban Park Line, New Shuttle) — 20 min walk Along the sacred avenue (sandō) · Or Kita-Ōmiya Sta. (Tōbu) → 10 min walk
- From Ōmiya Station East Exit — Tōbu Bus to "Hikawa Shrine" stop ~5 min bus ride · Frequent departures
- From Tokyo — approx. 30 min JR Utsunomiya or Takasaki Line to Ōmiya Station
- By car — Free west parking lot for worshippers Access from Route 16 · Good condition, well-signposted
- Wheelchair access to main hall via west approach Some gravel paths in shrine grounds
- Hours vary by season: Spring/Autumn 5:30–17:30 · Summer 5:00–18:00 · Winter 6:00–17:00 Free admission · Goshuin office typically 9:00–17:00 · ¥500
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Deep Insight · 深度探索
リピーターのこだわり — 知る人ぞ知る
深度探索 · 行家的坚持
UNIQUE
日本一の参道 — Japan's Longest Sacred Approach
The sandō stretches a magnificent 2 kilometers from the Ichinotorii on Nakasendō road to the shrine gate, lined with approximately 650 trees of 40 varieties — primarily keyaki (zelkova). Walking this avenue is itself a meditative pilgrimage, transforming from busy city street to hushed forest. A uniquely immersive spiritual journey.
INFO
蛇の池 — The Snake Pond (Ja-no-ike)
Hidden behind the main hall, this sacred spring is considered the birthplace of Hikawa Shrine. Underground water has flowed here since ancient times, and it was this spring that determined the shrine's location. The name refers to snakes — incarnations of water gods in Japanese folklore — connecting to Susanoo's legendary defeat of the serpent Yamata no Orochi.
UNIQUE
二の鳥居 — The Second Torii from Meiji Jingū
The imposing 13-meter Ninotorii was originally donated by Meiji Jingū in Tokyo and relocated here. It stands as one of the tallest wooden torii in the Kantō region — a rare case of one great shrine gifting its sacred gateway to another. A touching testament to inter-shrine kinship.
FESTIVAL
大湯祭（十日市） — Daitōsai & Tōka-ichi Market (December 10)
On December 10, the shrine holds its most atmospheric special rite, the Daitōsai. The surrounding grounds transform into the Tōka-ichi market, filling with hundreds of stalls selling kumade (lucky bamboo rakes) for business prosperity. The Reitaisai grand festival on August 1-2 features sacred processions through Ōmiya's streets.
TIP
神池と神橋 — Sacred Pond & Vermilion Bridge
The Shinchi (sacred pond) with its bright vermilion Shinbashi bridge creates one of the shrine's most iconic and photographed views. The pond was once part of the vast Minuma marsh — a sacred body of water that connected all three Hikawa shrines in the region. A perfect moment for meditation or photography.
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Eat, Stay & More · 周邊資訊
周辺の滞在 — 食・宿・寄り道
周边信息 · 吃住游
Food · 食
氷川だんご屋
Legendary dango shop on the sandō since 1970. Try the famous "Hikawa Set": isobeyaki dango, sake-manjū, and ume tea. The perfect pilgrimage snack for your 2km walk.
Local · 食
参道カフェ・いやしろ
A cozy cafe on the sandō offering matcha, seasonal sweets, and light meals in a traditional setting. Popular rest stop midway through the 2km walk.
Nature · 自然
大宮公園
Saitama's oldest park (est. 1885), directly adjacent to the shrine. 1,000+ cherry trees in spring, a small zoo, Japanese garden, and the Saitama Museum of History.
Stay · 宿
パレスホテル大宮
Premium hotel at Ōmiya Station with natural hot spring "Hikawa-no-Yu" (氷川の湯). 4-min walk from the station, perfect base for shrine visits.
Pair Shrine · 次の一宮
氷川女體神社
The "female" Hikawa Shrine, 6km south. Together with Naka-Hikawa, these three form the Hikawa Sanja — a sacred triangle of shrines.
Third Shrine · 見沼
中氷川神社
The "middle" Hikawa Shrine in Minuma. Complete the Hikawa Sanja pilgrimage by visiting all three, tracing the ancient waterway.
氷川三社と見沼の龍神 — The Hikawa Sanja & Dragon of Minuma
THE THREE SHRINES THAT GUARD THE DRAGON'S MARSH
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Susanoo
Storm god · Head of the triangle
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Inada-hime
Rice goddess · Female counterpart
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Ōnamuchi
Nation-builder · Middle shrine
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Minuma
Ancient sacred marsh · Connecting waterway
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Yamata no Orochi
Eight-headed serpent · Slain by Susanoo
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Musashi Province
Tokyo + Saitama · Largest Kantō domain
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2,400 Years
Founded 473 BCE · Predates recorded history
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280 Branch Shrines
Kantō's largest shrine network
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大宮
"Great Shrine" — The city named after this shrine
In the mythology of Hikawa, three shrines were established along the shores of Minuma — a vast sacred marsh that once covered central Saitama. Hikawa Shrine (male/husband) at the north, Hikawa Nyotai Shrine (female/wife) at the south, and Naka-Hikawa (their child) in the center formed a divine family triangle mirroring the deities they enshrine. The marsh was said to be home to a great dragon, and the three shrines were positioned to channel its spiritual energy. Though Minuma was drained in the Edo period, the Minuma Tsūsen canal and surrounding greenways still trace the ancient waterway. The current main hall (拝殿), rebuilt in 1940 on the occasion of the 2,600th anniversary of Japan's founding, stands as a monumental testament to the shrine's enduring national significance.