Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

An old legend of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine says that if you take home round pebble from the shrine and treasure it, you would be blessed with a good match. Each day, the Enmusubi-dama talisman is created by a Miko (shrine maiden), who cleanses herself, picks up each pebble in front of the main shrine building, wraps them in linen nets and offers them to the gods. These talismans are gifted to visitors free of charge every morning from 8 a.m., limited to 20 talismans per day. If the Enmusubi-dama helps to bring you a special someone, come back to the shrine together to return the Enmusubi-dama, and you will receive another very special talisman.

Japanese summer wind chimes, called fuurin, have been believed to carry people's thoughts in the wind with sound. During the summer, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is filled with the cooling chimes of over 2,000 colorful Edo-style fuurin hung all around the shrine grounds. The chorus of tinkles is said to be the sound of numerous wishes being carried away by the wind. The summer tradition of Kawagoe is quite photogenic, displaying translucent beauty during the day and mystical glimmers at nighttime.

Located on the first floor of the Hikawa Kaikan building next to the shrine, Musubi Café is a stylish cafe designed with a white wooden interior that offers various menus in the "good matchmaking" theme. Choose from around 10 cakes, including seasonal sweets and those made from Kawagoe-produced sweet potatoes and matcha green tea, as well as light meals with creative, auspicious names. In addition, you can purchase unique souvenirs such as pottery ware made by local artists and other goods pertaining to creating relationships.