Hisaizu Jinja Shrine

This was my first visit since moving to Saitama City, and it was simply amazing! If you haven't already, I highly recommend it! ✂︎ Iwatsuki Hisaizu Shrine is a historic shrine located in Miyamachi, Iwatsuki Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, known as the main guardian deity of Iwatsuki. Its beautiful main building and lush grounds are captivating. Below are some highlights. ⸻ Basic Information and Access • Address: 2-6-55 Miyamachi, Iwatsuki Ward, Saitama City   • Access: Approximately a 15-minute walk from the west exit of Iwatsuki Station on the Tobu Urban Park Line (Noda Line). Parking available (approximately 100 spaces, free) ⸻ History and Origins • Founding: It is said to have begun during the reign of Emperor Kinmei (approximately 1,400-1,500 years ago), when the Haji clan of the Izumo tribe enshrined Okuninushi no Mikoto (Okuninushi no Mikoto) at this site. • Relationship to Iwatsuki Castle: During the Sengoku period, when Ota Dokan built Iwatsuki Castle, it was made the guardian deity of the castle. Later, Tokugawa Ieyasu is said to have prayed to the shrine to ward off evil spirits from Edo Castle. • Shrine Status: Formerly a village shrine and a local shrine, it was elevated to a prefectural shrine in 1945. In recent years, the "Heisei Great Reconstruction" was carried out in 2014, and the shrine building was newly renovated. ⸻ Enshrined Deity and Faith • Enshrined Deity: Okuninushi-no-Mikoto (Okuninushi-no-Mikoto). He is believed to have many divine virtues, including matchmaking, fertility, safe childbirth, protection from disasters, good fortune, business, agriculture, and medicine.   • Kuizu Faith: The Kuizu Shrine group, which spreads across the Moto-Arakawa River basin, including this shrine, is considered a regional faith alongside Hikawa and Katori Shrines, suggesting ties to local powers in the Middle Ages.  ⸻ Highlights of the Shrine Grounds • Chinju no Mori: The approach to the shrine, shaded by lush trees, forms a green tunnel, creating a tranquil and calm atmosphere.  • Peacocks and Chickens: In 1938, Prince Asaka donated three peacocks. Since then, peacocks have been carefully kept as the shrine's symbol. Along with the chickens released into the grounds, this is a soothing spot for animal lovers.   • Shrine Treasures: • Mother-of-pearl saddle (early Edo period, dedicated by Abe Shigetsugu, lord of Iwatsuki Domain) • Large sword (1655, dedicated by Takanaga, son of Takachika Tadafusa) • Portable shrine (rearranged to celebrate the enthronement of Emperor Showa) • Imperial decree of the rank of Shoichii (first rank) (1704, by Ogasawara Nagashige, lord of Iwatsuki Castle) • Subsidiary shrines: Many are enshrined within the grounds, including Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (for academic success) and Koshinsha Shrine (for traffic safety). ⸻ Annual Events and Visitor Information • Major Events: • Spring Festival (April 19th) and Autumn Festival (October 19th) • Setsubun Festival (February 3rd), Summer Purification Ceremony (June 30th), Shichi-Go-San Festival (November 15th), etc.    . • Visitor Information: • The grounds are open 24 hours a day (prayer requests accepted from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM)  . • Goshuin (stamps) (500 yen) and peacock-themed goshuincho (stamp booklets) (approximately 1,300 yen) are also popular. . ⸻ Iwatsuki Hisaizu Shrine is a shrine forest steeped in history and faith, offering a place to enjoy nature, shrine treasures, culture, and worship experiences.✂︎

It is pronounced "Hisaizu". There are many Hisaizu shrines scattered around this area of Saitama Prefecture, and this shrine in Iwatsuki is one of them. It is the main shrine, with a large precinct and surrounded by lush trees, making it a dignified shrine. Long ago, it was a separate administrative district called Iwatsuki City, but in recent years, it has been incorporated into the government-designated city with the creation of Saitama City. Geographically, it is located on the north side of the Tobu Railway Urban Park Line (formerly the Noda Line), almost halfway between Iwatsuki Station and Higashi-Iwatsuki Station, and if you cross the Moto-Arakawa River from Higashi-Iwatsuki on the Tonomiya pedestrian bridge, you can visit the shrine from either station at almost the same distance. However, the first torii gate is on the south side of the railroad crossing, so if you want to go straight along the approach, it would be best to get off at Iwatsuki Station. It is within walking distance of the station, but if you are walking, it may be better to go from the north exit of Iwatsuki Station. If you are driving, it may be more convenient to exit Iwatsuki IC on the Tohoku Expressway and go east on the prefectural road from the Miyagaya Pagoda intersection to the Castle Ruins Park Entrance intersection. As you walk along the approach surrounded by tall trees, you will come across a pond in the open grounds on the left side of the temple grounds, where steam-like smoke has been rising for quite some time. Once you pass this and the main hall comes into view, the gift shop will be diagonally to the left and the main hall will be directly ahead. The gift shop is made of glass, and behind the automatic doors, there are a variety of amulets and talismans for wishes. There are only a few character items featuring famous characters such as Rilakkuma and Sanrio. During the New Year's visit and Shichigosan festivals, the parking lot and other areas can become very crowded, so you will need to plan your visit accordingly.

The guardian deity of Iwatsuki. Founded by the Haji clan, it was revered by both the Noyoto and the Wazaichi parties, and also by the Iwatsuki Ota clan after Ota Dokan. The parking lot is to the right of the torii gate. The grove that covers the approach to the shrine beyond is a spectacular sight. Even during the day, it is pitch black, as if you are inside a tunnel. There are many things to see within the grounds, including a peacock bestowed by Prince Asaka, a monument commemorating the Russo-Japanese War painted by Prime Minister Terauchi Masatake, and red and blue wind chime decorations. On the day, a doll memorial service was being held, fitting for Iwatsuki, the town of dolls. Next to the peacock cage is a magnificent peacock mikoshi, which is thought to be the same one used in the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Festival.

2025.2.16 (Sun) A shrine with so many things to see. It's fun to see Karesansui, peacocks, and various guardian dogs. What I like most is the way the string that rings the bell bends over the offering box. It's strangely too cute. The most disappointing thing is the bird droppings on the approach. It's so dirty that I get excited. That's really unfortunate.