Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
★ 4.3 ｜ 14,045 reviews
Ancient Shinto shrine · matchmaking luck · wind chime ritual
📍 Japan, 〒350-0052 Saitama, Kawagoe, Miyashitamachi, 2-chōme−１１−３
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Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
About
Peaceful, ancient Shinto shrine featuring a corridor of wind chimes, elaborate carvings & festivals.
The full picture
This ancient Shinto shrine is a prominent spiritual site in Kawagoe, widely recognized for its associations with love and matchmaking. It features a massive wooden torii gate, a corridor of wind chimes, and a scenic stream running through the grounds.
It is a top choice for couples, photography enthusiasts, and travelers looking to experience traditional Japanese rituals.
Summer is the most popular time to visit for the wind chime festival, though visiting on a weekday is recommended to avoid heavy Sunday crowds.
💡 Bring some small change if you want to participate in the unique ritual of 'fishing' for your fortune.
Visitors love
- unique fish-shaped fortunes
- charming wind chime sounds
- impressive large torii gate
- peaceful and magical atmosphere
- beautiful photography spots
Some note
- crowded on Sundays
- distance from main town
Good to know
- Is it good for kids?
- Yes, the interactive fortune fishing and colorful charms make it engaging for younger visitors.
- Is it okay on a rainy day?
- Not mentioned in reviews
- How long should I stay?
- Not mentioned in reviews
- Is a reservation needed?
- Not mentioned in reviews
Visitor reviews
★★★★★
We visited on October 26th 2025. It was a Sunday and it was busy in some parts of the shrine grounds. When we had been planning our day in Kawagoe, we had looked at this shrine and wondered if we wanted to visit or was it too far to walk to? After the women at the tourist information center told us we could "fish" for our fortunes and it wasn't that far to walk, we decided to visit.
There are many lanterns and a large torii gate. A small stream runs along the edge of the grounds. The place was pretty, despite being busy, We did indeed "fish" for our fortunes, which was shaped like fish. There
★★★★★
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is a beautiful and peaceful spot that feels a little magical, especially if you enjoy traditional Japanese shrines. The atmosphere is calm and well maintained, with charming details everywhere you look. It’s especially famous for its wind chimes in summer, which add a lovely soundscape and make the visit feel very special.
The shrine is easy to reach from Kawagoe’s main areas and makes a perfect stop when exploring the city. Whether you’re interested in Japanese culture, photography, or just want a quiet place to slow down, this shrine is definitely worth a visit.
★★★★★
It’s located near Kawagoe’s old town so it’s easy to combine your visit with exploring traditional streets, cafes, and souvenir shops. The atmosphere is calm and full of positive energy.
One of the most special things about this shrine is the love fortune fishing, you can “fish” a small paper fortune using a cute fish-shaped charm, which is a unique and fun experience.
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is not only beautiful but also heartwarming. Whether you want to pray for love, take lovely photos, or simply relax, it’s a wonderful place to visit.
Highly recommended!
★★★★★
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine feels like something straight out of a daydream — soft wind chimes tinkling, ribbons swaying, and sunlight filtering through the trees. Known as a shrine for love and good relationships, it draws couples and hopeful hearts from all over Japan. People tie little wooden plaques with wishes, or pull “love fortunes” wrapped in tiny, colorful fish — it’s charming and a bit magical.
★★★★★
The shrine has a huge torii at the back which is picture worthy. There were lots of traditional festive activities happening at the jinsha which tourist might be able to observe and enjoy. And if not, you can always enjoy shopping for lucky charm and gochuin.