A short 20-minute walk from the Railway Museum, Hikawa Shrine is known as one of the most prestigious Shinto shrines in the Kanto Plain. The town of Omiya (literally, large shrine) is named after this great shrine.

According to legend, it was founded more than 2,000 years ago, and has been respected by shoguns and lords throughout its history.

Beautifully laid out buildings, torii gates and gardens gives a kind of majestic, yet mysterious atmosphere.

More than a mile long, the wide approach to the shrine was surrounded by large elm trees, some that are more than 2,400 years old.

Omiya Park, the first modern park of Saitama Prefecture, is located behind the shrine and features a pond, zoo and traditional garden with various flowers.

Things to know

Open: Mar-Apr, Sep-Oct, 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m., May-Aug, 5 a.m.-6 p.m., Nov-Feb, 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Location: 1-407 Takahanacho, Omiyaku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture (15-minute walk from JR Omiya Station) URL: musashiichinomiya-hikawa.or.jp/ Tel: 048-641-0137