Hisaizu Shrine, the main shrine of Iwatsuki in Bushu, is located in Iwatsuki Ward, Saitama City, and has a history dating back approximately 1,400 years.
Founded by the Haji clan of the Izumo tribe, the shrine enshrines Okuninushi no Mikoto and has been worshipped as the main shrine of Iwatsuki.
⛩️ History and Features
Founded approximately 1,500 years ago, the Haji clan of the Izumo tribe enshrines Okuninushi no Mikoto.
Main Shrine As the main shrine of Iwatsuki Castle, it has been revered by successive castle lords.
Precincts Surrounded by lush forests, the shrine is known as a treasure trove of wild birds.
The precincts are also part of the Iwatsuki Castle ruins.
✨ Benefits and Symbolism
Enshrined Deity and Benefits The enshrined deity is Okuninushi no Mikoto, also known as Okuninushi no Mikoto.
Because the name "Hisaizu" (Hisaizu) sounds similar to "quiz," the shrine is also popular as a deity for praying for success in exams. A wide selection of amulets for safe childbirth and child-rearing is also available.
Symbol: The peacock, associated with the Imperial family, is the shrine's symbol.
"White Peacock Amulets" are distributed only on the 9th of each month.
🌸 Access and Events
Access: Approximately a 15-minute walk from Higashi-Iwatsuki Station on the Tobu Urban Park Line (Tobu Noda Line).
Approximately a 25-minute walk from Iwatsuki Station.
Special Pilgrimage: In the summer, a special pilgrimage called "Suzumode" is offered, where you can worship surrounded by mist and the sound of wind chimes.
The enshrined deity is Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, and the blessings offered include matchmaking, fertility, safe childbirth, protection from disasters, prosperity in business, agriculture, and medicine. The shrine's history dates back to approximately 1,500 years ago, when the Haji clan of the Izumo tribe migrated to the eastern part of the country. The shrine was established as the main guardian deity of Iwatsuki, enshrining Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, the parent deity of the Izumo tribe. Selected as a "Hometown Forest" and one of the "Top 100 Natural Sites," the grounds, part of the Iwatsuki Castle ruins, are mostly covered with trees, and the approach to the shrine is transformed into a dimly lit tunnel of chestnut trees, making it a treasure trove of wild birds. In 1938, Prince Asaka donated three peacocks, which have been carefully kept as the shrine's symbol ever since. There are also amulets bearing the kanji characters for "protecting evil and suffering." If you are going by car, please note that there are eight other Kuizu Shrines in the Iwatsuki area, so be careful not to be directed to the wrong place if you do not check the address before setting your navigation system.
I was working nearby.
I heard the constant sound of something chirping.
I got curious and looked it up!
And it said there were peacocks there!
So that sound was a peacock! It's become one of the shrines I'm even more interested in.
I was working in the summer so I didn't have the energy to go.
As I passed by Iwatsuki Interchange many times, I kept telling my wife that it was close to that construction site, and that there was apparently a shrine with peacocks there too.
This time, I casually asked her if it was okay to go and she said sure, so I quickly put on my blinker and turned right!
Where are the kids going?
I told them we were going to the shrine! They said there were peacocks there! They said we weren't going to touch them anyway, and they said it was like going to the zoo.
I invited everyone to take a look, even though we couldn't touch them, so we headed off!
Walking along the approach to the shrine, I found it to be even better than I imagined! I'm so glad we came! As I was walking along thinking this, I finally came face to face with a peacock singing, and was surprised to see so many of them.
Perhaps in preparation for the first shrine visit of the year, the shrine was covered with a plastic sheet so we couldn't see the whole thing.
It would have been even more exciting to be able to see the whole peacock!
Afterwards, we all prayed together, took a quick look around, bought goshuin stamps and left.
I'm glad we all came.
There are peacocks and chickens in the temple grounds...
You might be distracted by them, but there are many other things to see, such as the dry landscape garden, the main hall, and the shrine grounds.
When I visited at the end of February, Hina dolls were on display, making the temple even more spectacular!
