Oyaba Hikawa Shrine
The exact date of its founding is unknown, but it has long been beloved by locals as the guardian deity of the Oyaba area.
It is said to have burned down at the beginning of the Edo period and was subsequently rebuilt. According to shrine records, the current main hall has a plaque dated 1666 (Kanbun 6), and is designated a tangible cultural property of the city.
The grounds are home to a variety of plants, including hydrangeas and tulip trees, a city-designated natural monument, allowing for picturesque scenery throughout the seasons.
The shrine is also known as "Pheasant Hikawa-sama." The guardian dogs are depicted as "pheasants," a rare sight nationwide.
Hikawa Shrine is located on a hill near Minami-Urawa Station.
It feels integrated with the Oyaba Hikawa Shrine Hometown Forest. It was also known as "Pheasant Hikawa-sama," and the guardian lion statues are actually koma-pheasants. The path leading to the torii gate and the koma-pheasants on the south side has some very steep steps. The area around the koma-pheasants is also very narrow, making it quite difficult to get a good look at them. Looking closely, you'll see that they are quite elaborate carvings, depicting couples and children protecting each other.
There is a slope at the entrance on the Hitotsugi-dori side, but it's still quite steep. It's hard to call it barrier-free.
There is a sign that says "The tulip tree is designated a natural monument by Urawa City," but it's unclear what became of it after it became part of Saitama City.
I visited early on a Saturday morning.
If you come from the station, you can enter through the car park at the back, not the front.
These were pheasant-shaped koma statues, not dogs.
The grounds are pleasant, with a sacred tulip tree and a large ginkgo tree.
The sacred pond, believed to have purifying properties, is used in various purification rituals. Visitors often wash their hands and mouths here before praying.
The shrine features a unique combination of traditional Japanese architectural elements, including a thatched roof and intricately carved wooden beams, showcasing the craftsmanship of the Edo period.
Besides the Reitaisai in October, the shrine hosts New Year celebrations, Setsubun in February, and the cherry blossom festival in spring, each offering different traditional activities and performances.
Yes, Oyaba Hikawa Shrine is part of a network of Hikawa Shrines, the most famous of which is the Hikawa Shrine in Omiya. This network underscores the widespread influence of Hikawa worship in the region.
